WEBVTT

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 Let me pray now for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Heavenly Father,

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 You have entrusted to us

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 the mystery of the Gospel.

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 That precious message,

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 good news of salvation in Jesus.

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 And Lord, we want to be faithful stewards of that message.

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 We want to cherish it,

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 pass on the deposit,

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 that apostolic deposit that has been passed down to us.

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 We want to share the good news of Jesus Christ

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 with our friends and neighbors and our family.

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 But Lord, in order to do that,

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 we need boldness.

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 We need to be empowered by Your Holy Spirit.

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 So we ask that You would do that tonight

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 by speaking to us through Your Word,

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 in Your Word.

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 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Acts chapter 4, verses 13 through 31.

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 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John

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 and perceived that they were uneducated, common men,

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 they were astonished,

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 and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

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 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them,

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 they had nothing to say in opposition.

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 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,

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 they conferred with one another,

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 saying,

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 What shall we do with these men?

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 For that a notable sign that has been performed through them

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 is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

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 and we cannot deny it.

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 But in order that it may spread no further among the people,

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 let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.

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 So they called them and charged them

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 not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

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 But Peter and John answered them,

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 Whether it is right in the sight of God

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 to listen to you rather than to God,

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 you must judge.

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 For we cannot but speak

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 of what we have seen and heard.

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 And when they had further threatened them,

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 they let them go,

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 finding no way to punish them

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 because of the people.

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 For all were praising God for what had happened.

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 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed

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 was more than 40 years old.

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 When they were released,

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 they went to their friends

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 and reported what the chief priests

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 and the elders had said to them.

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 And when they heard it,

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 they lifted their voices together to God

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 and said,

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 Sovereign Lord,

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 who made the heaven and the earth

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 and the sea and everything in them,

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 who through the mouth of our father David,

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 your servant,

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 said by the Holy Spirit,

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 why did the Gentiles rage

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 and the peoples plot in vain?

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 The kings of the earth set themselves

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 and the rulers were gathered together

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 against the Lord

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 and against his anointed.

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 For truly,

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 in this city,

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 there were gathered together

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 against your holy servant Jesus,

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 whom you anointed,

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 both Herod and Pontius Pilate,

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 along with the Gentiles

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 and the peoples of Israel,

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 to do whatever your hand

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 and your plan

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 had predestined to take place.

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 And now,

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 Lord,

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 look upon their threats

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 and grant to your servants

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 to continue to speak your word

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 with all boldness

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 while you stretch out your hand to heal

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 and signs and wonders

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 are performed through the name

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 of your holy servant Jesus.

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 And when they had prayed,

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 the place in which they were gathered together

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 was shaken

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 and they were all filled

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 with the Holy Spirit

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 and continued to speak

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 the word of God

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 with boldness.

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 This is God's holy

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 and authoritative word.

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 In 1521,

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 Martin Luther stood on trial

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 before the Holy Roman Emperor

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 in the Diet of Worms.

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 He was being charged for heresy

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 because he published

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 the 95 Theses,

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 which denounced the use

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 of indulgences

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 by the Roman Catholic Church.

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 An indulgence was something

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 that believers can purchase

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 with money

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 in order to reduce

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 their punishment for sin.

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 A popular preacher

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 and really a precursor

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 to the modern prosperity

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 gospel preachers

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 was Johann Tetzel.

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 And the Pope was engaged

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 in the most expensive

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 church building project

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 up to that point,

00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:16.900
 St. Peter's Basilica.

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 And he needed a lot of fundraisers.

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 And Johann Tetzel

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 was one of the most effective

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 fundraisers he had.

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 He would often repeat this refrain

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 in front of captivated audiences.

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 As soon as the coin

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 in the coffer rings,

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 the soul into heaven springs.

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 But Martin Luther challenged

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 this claim on the basis

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 of Scripture,

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 insisting that forgiveness

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 for sin cannot be purchased

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 with money.

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 And that salvation

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 is only by God's grace alone,

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 through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

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 And for his stand

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 for this biblical truth,

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 Luther was now standing

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 trial for heresy

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 at the Diet of Worms.

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 And at the end

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 of the interrogation,

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 after he had been commanded

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 to recant all that he had taught,

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 Luther,

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 standing before

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 Charles V,

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 the emperor

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 of the Roman Empire,

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 standing before

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 Dr. Jeremy Scherf,

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 the Wittenberg professor

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 in canon law,

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 standing before

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 Dr. Johann Eck,

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 the renowned

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 German scholastic theologian,

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 so standing before

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 basically the highest

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 political authority,

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 the academic authority,

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 and the clerical authority,

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 all the movers

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 and shakers

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 of his world,

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 Luther said this,

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 quote,

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 unless I am convinced

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 by the testimony

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 of the Scriptures

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 or by clear reason,

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 for I do not trust

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 either in the Pope

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 or in councils alone,

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 since it is well known

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 that they have often

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 erred and contradicted

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 themselves,

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 I am bound

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 by the Scriptures

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 I have quoted,

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 and my conscience

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 is captive

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 to the Word of God.

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 I cannot

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 and will not

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 recant anything,

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 since it is neither safe

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 nor right

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 to go against conscience.

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 Here I stand.

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 I can do no other.

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 May God help me.

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 Amen.

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 He was immediately

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 declared a heretic

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 and an outlaw,

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 and the council

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 permitted anyone

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 to kill Luther

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 without legal consequence.

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 But Luther's bold testimony

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 was an inflection point

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 in church history.

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 It propelled

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 the Protestant Reformation

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 and changed the course

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 of world history.

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 But where does

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 such boldness

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 come from?

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 What is its origin?

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 What is the basis

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 for such boldness?

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 If you are like me,

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 there have been times

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 you didn't feel bold at all.

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 Perhaps you are familiar

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 with the feeling

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 of being in a group conversation

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 that is disparaging

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 of Christ and His Word,

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 but you are cowered

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 by the sneering

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 and mocking

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 and just go along

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 with the flow

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 of the conversation

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 without saying anything.

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 Perhaps you are familiar

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 with the feeling

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 of not being able

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 to share the good news

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 of Jesus Christ,

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 even when your conversation

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 with your friend

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 or neighbor

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 presents a wonderful

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 opportunity for it

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 because you feel awkward

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 and afraid,

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 maybe even ashamed.

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 Maybe you have wondered,

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 how can I be more bold

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 for the sake of Christ?

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 Acts chapter 4,

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 13 to 31,

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 teaches us this,

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 that we must speak

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 the Word of God

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 with boldness

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 despite opposition

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 from the powers that be.

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 It tells us the reason

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 to speak the Word

00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.360
 with boldness,

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 the authority

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 to speak the Word

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 with boldness,

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 and finally,

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 the power

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 to speak the Word

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 with boldness.

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 So let's look at those

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 three things in turn.

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 Verse 13 tells us

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 that when the Jewish rulers,

00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:55.199
 elders, and scribes

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 saw the boldness

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 of Peter and John

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 and perceived

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 that they were

00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:01.100
 uneducated common men,

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 they were astonished.

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 The word boldness

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 refers to how

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 Peter and John

00:09:05.699 --> 00:09:07.039
 frankly, freely,

00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:08.639
 and fearlessly

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 taught the people

00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:10.899
 about Jesus Christ.

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 But it's not simply

00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:13.879
 their boldness

00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:15.100
 that astonishes

00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:16.079
 these Jewish rulers.

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 It's their boldness

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 despite the fact

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 that they were

00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:20.759
 uneducated common men.

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 Human pride, too,

00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:27.539
 can produce boldness.

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 Degrees,

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 noble birth,

00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.340
 societal rank,

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 fame,

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 celebrity,

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 power,

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 authority,

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 they can make

00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:37.860
 people bold.

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 That's what made

00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:41.539
 these Jewish rulers

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 bold

00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:43.919
 in their own way.

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 If you remember

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 from earlier

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 in chapter 4,

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 they barged in

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 aggressively,

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 interrupted Peter and John

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 as they were teaching

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 the people,

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 and they apprehended them.

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 They were so bold

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 to do such things

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 because they thought

00:09:57.180 --> 00:09:57.740
 to themselves,

00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:59.139
 well, this is our jurisdiction.

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 We are the religious

00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:02.700
 authorities.

00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:04.300
 We have the

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 scholarly education

00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:06.620
 and the proper

00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:07.300
 credentials.

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 That's why

00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:09.879
 they were bold.

00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:11.980
 Peter and John

00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:12.879
 had no such things.

00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.000
 They were uneducated

00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:15.019
 common men,

00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:16.860
 fishermen by trade,

00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:18.519
 manual laborers.

00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:20.300
 They had no formal

00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:21.180
 rabbinical training.

00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:23.320
 They were ordinary men,

00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:24.500
 lay people,

00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:25.500
 amateurs.

00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.440
 And yet,

00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:29.000
 before the leading

00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:29.659
 politicians

00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:30.360
 and scholars

00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.000
 and lawyers

00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.620
 and judges

00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.560
 and the clerics

00:10:32.560 --> 00:10:33.639
 of their day,

00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:35.580
 they had boldness

00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:38.639
 because this boldness

00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.960
 rested not on

00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.500
 themselves

00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.040
 and their abilities,

00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:43.340
 but on the authority

00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:44.100
 of Christ

00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.800
 who had commissioned them.

00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:48.240
 In Matthew chapter 28,

00:10:48.300 --> 00:10:49.139
 18 to 20,

00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.440
 when Jesus commissions

00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.300
 his disciples,

00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:51.800
 he says,

00:10:52.520 --> 00:10:53.280
 all authority

00:10:53.280 --> 00:10:54.320
 in heaven and on earth

00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:55.560
 has been given to me.

00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.759
 Go therefore

00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.500
 and make disciples

00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:00.259
 of all nations.

00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:02.580
 Jesus' authority

00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:03.759
 in all of heaven

00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:04.139
 and earth

00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:05.019
 is the basis

00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:06.580
 for the commission

00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.279
 to go out

00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:07.879
 and make disciples

00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:08.600
 of all nations.

00:11:10.439 --> 00:11:11.720
 And for this reason,

00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:12.539
 Peter and John

00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:13.559
 needed no further

00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:14.879
 accreditation

00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.419
 or authorization

00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:18.139
 from the Jewish leaders.

00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:21.559
 Likewise,

00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:22.259
 you don't need

00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:22.819
 to have

00:11:22.819 --> 00:11:24.240
 a seminary degree

00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.960
 or be a pastor

00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:28.080
 to be a bold witness

00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:28.600
 for Christ.

00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:31.200
 You don't need

00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.160
 to have read

00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:33.600
 all the apologetics books

00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:35.160
 in order to be

00:11:35.160 --> 00:11:36.480
 a bold witness

00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.300
 for Christ.

00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:39.840
 But you do need

00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.379
 one thing.

00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:43.020
 You must know Christ.

00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.879
 You need to have

00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:45.900
 been with Him.

00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:48.840
 And the Jewish rulers

00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:49.580
 make this connection

00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:49.960
 at the end

00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:50.639
 of verse 13.

00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:51.259
 It says that

00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.120
 they recognize

00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.160
 that Peter and John

00:11:53.160 --> 00:11:55.320
 had been with Jesus.

00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.000
 In Mark 3, 14,

00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:58.940
 Jesus appoints

00:11:58.940 --> 00:11:59.820
 His 12 apostles

00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:01.000
 to follow Him.

00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:02.340
 And He says explicitly

00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.280
 that He did so

00:12:03.280 --> 00:12:03.700
 in order that

00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:05.160
 they might be with Him

00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:06.180
 and He might send them

00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:06.860
 out to preach.

00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.560
 The phrase

00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:10.160
 to be with Jesus

00:12:10.160 --> 00:12:11.240
 is a language

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.240
 of discipleship.

00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:13.759
 It means to be

00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.840
 a follower of Jesus,

00:12:15.020 --> 00:12:16.040
 to accompany Him,

00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:17.139
 imitate Him,

00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.900
 to learn from Him,

00:12:20.040 --> 00:12:20.820
 be His apprentice.

00:12:21.820 --> 00:12:23.540
 This is the one condition

00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:24.480
 for bearing

00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.280
 bold witness

00:12:25.280 --> 00:12:25.840
 to Jesus.

00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.660
 In order to bear witness

00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.220
 to Jesus,

00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:29.860
 you must be

00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:30.480
 His follower.

00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.639
 You have to have

00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:32.940
 been with Him.

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:34.820
 Peter and John

00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:35.980
 say later in verse 20,

00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:36.759
 for we cannot

00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:37.759
 but speak

00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.540
 of what we have

00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:39.740
 seen and heard.

00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:41.040
 Peter and John

00:12:41.040 --> 00:12:41.660
 have seen

00:12:41.660 --> 00:12:42.700
 Jesus' signs

00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:43.259
 and wonders.

00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.340
 They had heard

00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:45.139
 His teachings.

00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:46.680
 They had a relationship

00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:47.200
 with Him.

00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.860
 They knew His character.

00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.000
 They witnessed

00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:50.960
 His life,

00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:51.500
 death,

00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.100
 and resurrection,

00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:52.900
 and ascension

00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.379
 to heaven.

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.459
 In short,

00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.299
 they had been

00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.199
 with Jesus

00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:57.100
 and those

00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:57.879
 who have been

00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.620
 with Jesus

00:12:58.620 --> 00:13:00.079
 can't help

00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:01.179
 but speak

00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:01.939
 of what they

00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:02.659
 have seen

00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.759
 and heard.

00:13:09.439 --> 00:13:10.419
 Because Jesus

00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:11.259
 is so real

00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.220
 to them,

00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.659
 so compelling

00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.659
 to them,

00:13:15.579 --> 00:13:16.539
 they can't be silent.

00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:21.299
 Peter and John

00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:21.839
 can't help

00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:22.419
 but speak

00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.000
 of what they

00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.379
 have seen

00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:23.879
 and heard,

00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.419
 but in contrast,

00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.240
 the Jewish rulers

00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.179
 are silenced.

00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.259
 It says in verse 14,

00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.579
 But seeing the man

00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:30.319
 who was healed

00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:31.240
 standing beside them,

00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.179
 they had nothing

00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:33.159
 to say

00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.279
 in opposition.

00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:37.099
 The proof

00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:38.079
 of the authority

00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:38.639
 and power

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.000
 of the name

00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.419
 of Jesus

00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.339
 is clearly

00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:41.279
 in display here

00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:42.419
 with the man

00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:42.879
 who had been

00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.819
 born lame

00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:45.620
 now standing

00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.600
 healed

00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.840
 beside them.

00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.540
 So the Jewish rulers

00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:50.540
 have nothing

00:13:50.540 --> 00:13:51.220
 to say

00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.220
 because the proof

00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.879
 is right there

00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.500
 in that man.

00:13:54.260 --> 00:13:55.060
 They can say

00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:56.160
 nothing to contradict

00:13:56.160 --> 00:13:57.080
 Peter and John's

00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.440
 claims.

00:13:59.160 --> 00:14:00.160
 And you would think

00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.980
 that this would lead

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.600
 them to faith

00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.080
 in Jesus,

00:14:02.760 --> 00:14:03.600
 but it doesn't.

00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:04.640
 It says in verses

00:14:04.640 --> 00:14:05.640
 15 to 17,

00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.420
 But when they had

00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:07.020
 commanded them

00:14:07.020 --> 00:14:07.840
 to leave the council,

00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:08.940
 they considered

00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.620
 with one another,

00:14:09.760 --> 00:14:10.020
 saying,

00:14:10.140 --> 00:14:11.160
 What shall we do

00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.060
 with these men?

00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:14.359
 For that a notable sign

00:14:14.359 --> 00:14:15.119
 has been performed

00:14:15.119 --> 00:14:15.539
 through them

00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:15.899
 is evident

00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.739
 to all the inhabitants

00:14:16.739 --> 00:14:17.279
 of Jerusalem

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.339
 and we cannot deny it.

00:14:18.959 --> 00:14:19.500
 But in order

00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.179
 that it may spread

00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:20.799
 no further

00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.539
 among the people,

00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.399
 let us warn them

00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.439
 to speak no more

00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:24.159
 to anyone

00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.159
 in this name.

00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.279
 This is in stark

00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.839
 contrast

00:14:27.839 --> 00:14:29.699
 to the congregation's

00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.759
 response to Peter's

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.459
 sermon earlier

00:14:31.459 --> 00:14:32.619
 in Acts chapter 2

00:14:32.619 --> 00:14:33.419
 verse 37.

00:14:33.739 --> 00:14:34.799
 When they heard

00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:36.199
 Peter's teaching,

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.239
 it says that

00:14:37.239 --> 00:14:38.059
 they asked themselves,

00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:38.419
 Brothers,

00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.419
 what shall we do?

00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:43.059
 In contrast,

00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.379
 here the Jewish rulers

00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.359
 in our passage,

00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.179
 in chapter 4

00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:46.839
 verse 16,

00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:48.079
 asked themselves,

00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:50.459
 What shall we do

00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.919
 with these men?

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.759
 They are not concerned

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.479
 with the claim

00:14:58.479 --> 00:14:59.919
 of the gospel

00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:00.639
 of Jesus Christ,

00:15:00.719 --> 00:15:01.979
 the claim of God's word

00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:02.899
 upon their lives.

00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.919
 They are not concerned

00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.679
 with reforming

00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:06.119
 their own erroneous beliefs

00:15:06.119 --> 00:15:07.339
 and are instead

00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:08.259
 only concerned

00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.299
 with shushing up

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.159
 Peter and John,

00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:12.100
 who has become

00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:13.059
 a nuisance for them.

00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.000
 Instead of listening

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.600
 to their message,

00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.519
 they are only concerned

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.799
 with shutting them up.

00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:21.039
 This is the kind

00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.240
 of hard-heartedness

00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.439
 that our sinful

00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.360
 human hearts

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.679
 are capable of.

00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.659
 These Jewish rulers

00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.199
 have witnessed

00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.399
 a clear miracle.

00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.179
 They call it themselves

00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.379
 a notable sign,

00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.299
 a sign that points

00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:35.299
 to the work of God.

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.199
 They admit that

00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:37.480
 it is undeniable

00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.519
 and yet still

00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.500
 they try to figure out

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:41.279
 a way to silence

00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:43.100
 the first Christians.

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.879
 They don't want

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.659
 the teaching

00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:48.360
 accompanied,

00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:54.860
 accompanying that

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.679
 notable sign

00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.600
 that they have admitted.

00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.460
 Here's clear proof

00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.240
 that faith

00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.379
 is necessary,

00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:05.279
 is a necessary

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.879
 divinely appointed means

00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.100
 by which God saves us.

00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:11.560
 It's impossible

00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:12.580
 to demonstrate

00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.399
 the truth

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.019
 of the gospel

00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:15.200
 in such a way

00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.360
 that no faith

00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.060
 is necessary.

00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.360
 It's impossible.

00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:20.240
 No matter how clear

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.820
 the proof,

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.060
 there will always

00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.620
 be people

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.240
 who refuse

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.220
 to believe

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.159
 because God

00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.779
 has ordained

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.420
 that we can be

00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.820
 saved by His grace

00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.720
 through faith

00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.019
 in Jesus Christ alone.

00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.800
 We can only see

00:16:31.800 --> 00:16:32.840
 through eyes of faith.

00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:34.620
 God

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.940
 and what the Jewish

00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.379
 rulers

00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.420
 are opposing

00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:38.280
 here is clear.

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.480
 Look at verse 17.

00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:39.820
 It says,

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.540
 Let us warn them

00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:42.200
 to speak no more

00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.940
 to anyone in this name.

00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.220
 And again,

00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:45.940
 in verse 18,

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.600
 they charge them

00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.560
 not to speak

00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.580
 or teach

00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:49.379
 at all

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.240
 in the name of Jesus.

00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.860
 These Jewish rulers

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.060
 have no problem

00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:54.379
 with the apostles

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.200
 going around

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.440
 and healing people

00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.660
 and doing good deeds.

00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:01.519
 but they do

00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.559
 have a problem

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.919
 if they're speaking

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.200
 in the name

00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.879
 of Jesus.

00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.099
 Isn't this the case

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.639
 in our day

00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.259
 and age also?

00:17:12.639 --> 00:17:13.500
 People have

00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.180
 no problem

00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.579
 with Christians

00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.879
 doing charity work,

00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.019
 community service.

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.460
 They have no problem

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.119
 whatsoever

00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.940
 with you being

00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:24.159
 a spiritual person.

00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.139
 People don't object

00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.039
 to you praying

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.960
 or meditating.

00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.639
 Most people

00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.480
 don't even object

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.220
 to us talking

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.779
 generally about God

00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.579
 and faith.

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.039
 But as soon

00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.259
 as we start speaking

00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.240
 of the name

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.220
 of Jesus,

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:40.539
 people squirm

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.180
 and withdraw.

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.940
 Or at times

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.779
 become downright

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.420
 dismissive

00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:46.899
 or hostile.

00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.220
 That's because,

00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.059
 as we said

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.079
 early in verse 12,

00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.379
 there is no

00:17:54.379 --> 00:17:56.099
 one else.

00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:57.019
 There's salvation

00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.059
 in no one else

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.559
 for there is

00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.619
 no other name

00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.379
 under heaven

00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:02.220
 given among men

00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.279
 by which we must

00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.119
 be saved.

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.819
 Satan and his minions

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.599
 know this well.

00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:11.420
 And as the prince

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.019
 of the power

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.519
 of the air,

00:18:12.639 --> 00:18:13.079
 the ruler

00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.220
 of this fallen world

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.319
 as the Bible calls it,

00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.900
 Satan shudders

00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.779
 at the name

00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.500
 of Jesus.

00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.379
 And he opposes

00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:23.379
 with all his might

00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.460
 the spread

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.620
 of the name

00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.579
 of Jesus.

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.700
 And as Christians,

00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.940
 as followers

00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.480
 of Christ,

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.840
 we must expect

00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:35.039
 this resistance

00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.680
 and persevere

00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.680
 in proclaiming

00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.400
 the name

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.000
 of Jesus.

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.559
 It says in

00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.600
 verses 19-20,

00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.380
 but Peter and John

00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.120
 answer them,

00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.660
 whether it is right

00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.720
 in the sight of God

00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.620
 to listen to you

00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.539
 rather than to God,

00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:49.400
 you must judge,

00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.259
 for we cannot

00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.019
 but speak

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.819
 of what we have

00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.600
 seen and heard.

00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:54.500
 Peter and John

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.219
 are Jews,

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.740
 so they did have

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.799
 some obligation

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:59.439
 to these Jewish rulers.

00:18:59.919 --> 00:19:00.799
 The high priests,

00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:02.039
 the elders of Jerusalem,

00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:02.859
 the scribes,

00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.659
 the Sanhedrin,

00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:04.699
 they were subject

00:19:04.699 --> 00:19:05.659
 to these authorities.

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:06.659
 And yet,

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.339
 Peter and John

00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.759
 insist that they have

00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:10.419
 a higher allegiance

00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.079
 to God.

00:19:13.699 --> 00:19:15.119
 Contrast Peter and John's

00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:16.399
 stand here

00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:17.480
 in verses 19-20

00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:19.059
 with the Jewish rulers,

00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.099
 compromise,

00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.659
 and cowardice

00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:23.059
 in verses 21-22.

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.379
 He says,

00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:25.219
 And when they had

00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:26.299
 further threatened them,

00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.919
 they let them go,

00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:29.299
 finding no way

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.119
 to punish them

00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:32.519
 because of the people.

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.619
 For all were praising God

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.439
 for what had happened.

00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.619
 For the man on whom

00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.659
 this sign of healing

00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:39.659
 was performed

00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:41.019
 was more than 40 years old.

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.519
 The lame man

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.000
 that was healed

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.359
 was more than 40 years old,

00:19:44.439 --> 00:19:45.199
 meaning his healing

00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:46.219
 was well beyond

00:19:46.219 --> 00:19:46.779
 the realm

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.319
 of natural possibilities.

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:50.659
 It cannot be explained

00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.960
 by anything but a miracle.

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.359
 And because they cannot

00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.240
 deny the miracle

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.339
 and knowing that

00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.919
 the people

00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:57.419
 were quite excited

00:19:57.419 --> 00:19:58.439
 about this sign

00:19:58.439 --> 00:19:59.039
 from God

00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.319
 and were praising God

00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.059
 in response,

00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.079
 they decide merely

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.879
 to threaten

00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.740
 Peter and John

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.839
 and let them go.

00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.779
 They want to do more.

00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.159
 They want to

00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:10.500
 put them in jail.

00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.899
 They want to punish them.

00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:12.960
 Maybe they even

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.439
 want to harm them.

00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:17.059
 But they're afraid

00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.799
 of the people.

00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:19.660
 Afraid that there might

00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.660
 be a riot,

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.840
 an uproar.

00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:26.180
 They make this decision

00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.580
 because of the people.

00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:28.700
 In contrast,

00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.519
 Peter and John

00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.500
 do what they do

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.460
 because that's what

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.960
 is right in the sight

00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.559
 of God.

00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:38.240
 This is the difference

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.360
 between the fear

00:20:39.360 --> 00:20:39.980
 of God

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.019
 and the fear

00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.539
 of man.

00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:45.059
 Fear of man

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:47.059
 manifests itself

00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.539
 in our susceptibility

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.539
 to peer pressure

00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:51.859
 or our preoccupation

00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.819
 with self-esteem.

00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:54.960
 Both of these things

00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.440
 reveal that our lives

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.539
 revolve around

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:59.180
 what others think of us.

00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.480
 And the heart

00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.139
 of the problem

00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.000
 with the fear of man

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.379
 is that we need

00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:07.519
 people for our own glory

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.500
 rather than loving

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.399
 people for God's glory.

00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:15.960
 And the antidote

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.500
 to the fear

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.039
 of man

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.019
 is the fear

00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.579
 of God.

00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.680
 To be so consumed

00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:23.019
 by God's glory,

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.259
 to be so aware

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.000
 of God's importance,

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.240
 that what a mere man

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.859
 says about us

00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:31.339
 matters little.

00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.960
 If you seek to do

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.519
 what is right

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.639
 in the sight of man,

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.619
 you will learn quickly

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.220
 that you cannot

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.119
 please everyone

00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:41.199
 and that human beings

00:21:41.199 --> 00:21:42.759
 are quite fickle.

00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.379
 You will need

00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.959
 constantly to update

00:21:45.959 --> 00:21:46.639
 your beliefs

00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:47.339
 and behaviors,

00:21:47.679 --> 00:21:48.299
 to conform

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.739
 to their ever-changing

00:21:49.739 --> 00:21:50.199
 whims.

00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.679
 But that's not

00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:52.579
 what Christians

00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.579
 are called to do.

00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.319
 We are called to do

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.019
 what is right

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.739
 in the sight

00:21:56.739 --> 00:21:57.419
 of God.

00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:58.599
 We are to speak

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.019
 and act

00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.619
 not because of the people,

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.019
 but because of God.

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:04.420
 If we are controlled

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.559
 by the fear of man

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.599
 rather than the fear

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:06.900
 of God,

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.660
 we will never be

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.500
 bold witnesses

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.599
 for Jesus Christ.

00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:13.180
 Frederick the Great,

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.059
 the 18th century

00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.879
 king of Prussia,

00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:18.220
 is said to have

00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.980
 once invited

00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.900
 some of the nobles

00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.180
 and notable people

00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.279
 to his royal table

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.200
 to dine with him,

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.680
 and that included

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.519
 an invitation

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.099
 to all of his

00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.200
 top-ranking generals

00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.799
 in the army.

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.879
 One of those generals

00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:31.220
 was Hans Joachim

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.819
 von Zieten.

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.940
 He declined

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.059
 this invitation

00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.720
 because he wanted

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.480
 to partake

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.879
 in corporate worship

00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.500
 of the church

00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.059
 and communion

00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.319
 in his church.

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:46.359
 And at a later banquet

00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.419
 when von Zieten

00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:48.700
 was present

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.720
 to dine with

00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.559
 the king of Prussia,

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.200
 Frederick the Great,

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.279
 Frederick mocked

00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.819
 the general

00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.299
 for his religious beliefs.

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.460
 And the other guests

00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.960
 gladly joined in

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.500
 on the fun,

00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:02.720
 joking about

00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.519
 the Lord's Supper,

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.359
 making fun

00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.619
 of General von Zieten.

00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.200
 And finally,

00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:09.559
 the general stood up

00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.740
 and respectfully

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:12.079
 addressed the monarch.

00:23:13.159 --> 00:23:13.519
 Quote,

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:15.259
 Our Majesty knows well

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.720
 that in war

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.119
 I have never feared

00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.740
 any danger

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:20.139
 and have everywhere

00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.579
 boldly risked my life

00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.079
 for you

00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.200
 and my country.

00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.220
 But there is one

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.159
 above us

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.900
 who is greater

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.900
 than you or me,

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.660
 greater than all men.

00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:31.259
 He is the Savior

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.480
 and Redeemer

00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.279
 who has died

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.660
 also for your majesty

00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:36.500
 and has dearly

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.140
 bought us

00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.400
 with his own blood.

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.100
 This one

00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:41.400
 I can never

00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:43.140
 allow to be insulted

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.880
 for on him

00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:46.200
 I repose my faith,

00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:47.320
 my comfort,

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.440
 and my hope

00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.460
 in life and death.

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:54.100
 And then the general

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:55.279
 asked to be excused.

00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:58.160
 The stunned guests

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.799
 silently trembled

00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.600
 realizing that

00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.120
 von Zieten

00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.680
 very well might get killed.

00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.420
 However,

00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.579
 Frederick recognized

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.240
 von Zieten's

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.360
 quality of character

00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:08.579
 and knew that

00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.200
 he was exactly

00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.079
 the kind of man

00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.819
 he wanted

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:12.299
 as his courageous general.

00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.620
 And so he quickly

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.620
 grasped his hands

00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.620
 and asked his forgiveness

00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.739
 and requested

00:24:16.739 --> 00:24:17.539
 that he remain.

00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:18.779
 He promised

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.279
 that he would never

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.019
 again allow

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.079
 such a travesty

00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.559
 to be made

00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.579
 of sacred things.

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.179
 Of course,

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.859
 the response

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.679
 from people

00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:29.279
 will not always

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.000
 be favorable

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.659
 as was in the case

00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.559
 of von Zieten.

00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:35.519
 In certain parts

00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.039
 of the world,

00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.980
 it will lead

00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.519
 to overt persecution

00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:40.240
 and even martyrdom.

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.720
 Even in free

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.399
 and open

00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.480
 democratic societies

00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.220
 like ours,

00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:47.079
 Christians can face

00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.220
 ostracism

00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.599
 and discrimination

00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:51.240
 for standing firm

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.059
 on their beliefs.

00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.559
 Remember what Jesus

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.940
 told us in John 15

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.539
 verse 20,

00:24:58.539 --> 00:25:00.119
 A servant is not

00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:01.579
 greater than his master.

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:03.439
 If they persecuted me,

00:25:03.659 --> 00:25:04.579
 they will also

00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.500
 persecute you.

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.339
 But regardless

00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.299
 of the outcome,

00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.199
 we must speak

00:25:09.199 --> 00:25:09.899
 the word of God

00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.740
 with boldness

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.919
 despite opposition

00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:13.000
 from the powers

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.740
 that be.

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.699
 Why?

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.579
 Because there is

00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.939
 salvation in no one else.

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.699
 For there is no

00:25:19.699 --> 00:25:20.399
 other name

00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.299
 under heaven

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.019
 given among men

00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.699
 by which we must

00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.259
 be saved.

00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.279
 Why?

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.839
 Must we proclaim

00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:28.539
 with boldness

00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.339
 because we have

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.639
 been with Jesus.

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:32.259
 because we cannot

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.160
 but speak

00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:33.980
 of what we have

00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.860
 seen and heard.

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.680
 This is the reason

00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.120
 to speak the word

00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.780
 with boldness.

00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:41.120
 Now let's look

00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.500
 at verses 23 to 28

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.560
 which teaches

00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.600
 about the authority

00:25:44.600 --> 00:25:45.360
 to speak the word

00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.000
 with boldness.

00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:47.700
 It says in verse 23,

00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.740
 When they were released,

00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:50.259
 they went to their friends

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.440
 and reported

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.440
 what the chief priests

00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:52.940
 and the elders

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.759
 had said to them.

00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.720
 Having been assailed

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.820
 and threatened

00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.660
 by others,

00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.640
 Peter and John

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.960
 returned to their friends.

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:02.440
 The phrase literally means

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:04.200
 they went to their own.

00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:05.700
 In other words,

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.820
 they went to those

00:26:06.820 --> 00:26:08.000
 to whom they belong.

00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.440
 They went to those

00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.440
 with whom they shared

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.160
 their allegiance

00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.740
 to Jesus.

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.540
 And then,

00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.900
 gathered together,

00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:16.160
 they called out

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.000
 to God in prayer

00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:19.020
 in verses 24 to 25.

00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:21.000
 And when they heard it,

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.900
 they lifted their voices

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.980
 together to God

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.480
 and said,

00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.039
 Sovereign Lord,

00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.680
 who made heaven

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.319
 and earth

00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.400
 and the sea

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.579
 and everything in them,

00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.620
 who through the mouth

00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.599
 of our father David,

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.120
 your servant,

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.319
 said by the Holy Spirit.

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.019
 The Jewish rulers,

00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.180
 early in verse 15,

00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.079
 conferred with one another,

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.559
 but we cannot,

00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.220
 we not only can confer

00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.819
 with our friends,

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.640
 with one another,

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.019
 we can also confer

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.339
 with God himself

00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.940
 through prayer.

00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.640
 That's the power

00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:52.120
 we have access to.

00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.459
 And the disciples explicitly

00:26:53.459 --> 00:26:55.019
 quote Psalm chapter 2,

00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.979
 verses 1 to 2,

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.479
 and verses 25 to 26.

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.279
 But in addition to that,

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:01.479
 they also echo the language

00:27:01.479 --> 00:27:02.559
 of several other psalms

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.219
 in their prayer.

00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.399
 So first,

00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.099
 the way they address God here

00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.439
 in their prayer

00:27:07.439 --> 00:27:09.559
 echoes Psalm 146,

00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.579
 verses 3 to 6,

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:12.319
 where God is addressed

00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.759
 as the Lord

00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.839
 who made heaven and earth,

00:27:15.959 --> 00:27:16.919
 the sea and all

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.739
 that is in them.

00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:19.719
 It's notable

00:27:19.719 --> 00:27:21.119
 in that very same psalm

00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.799
 in verse 3,

00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.319
 it says,

00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.619
 put not your trust

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.480
 in princes,

00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:26.000
 in a son of man

00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.740
 in whom there is

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:28.059
 no salvation.

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.480
 In the Greek translation

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.359
 of the Old Testament

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:33.099
 that the early believers used,

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.319
 the word princes

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:36.259
 is the same Greek word

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.279
 as the one used

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.079
 in Acts 4,

00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.440
 verse 5 and verse 8

00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.299
 to refer to

00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.639
 the Jewish rulers.

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.539
 It's the same word

00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.019
 that is used

00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.700
 in the citation

00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:46.019
 of Psalm chapter 2,

00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:47.419
 verse 2 and verse 16

00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.680
 to refer to the rulers.

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:50.299
 And this allusion

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.980
 to rulers

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:52.120
 is intentional.

00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.220
 We are not

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.220
 to put our trust

00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.360
 in human rulers,

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.220
 including these

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.000
 Jewish rulers,

00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.140
 because there is

00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.759
 no salvation in them,

00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:01.940
 as Psalm 146

00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.500
 makes clear.

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.460
 Instead,

00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:04.500
 we are to put our trust

00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.860
 in the Lord Jesus,

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.820
 King Jesus,

00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.200
 in whose name alone

00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.279
 there is salvation.

00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:11.299
 Anas,

00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.160
 Caiaphas,

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.680
 John,

00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.460
 Alexander,

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.460
 the members

00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.879
 of the high priestly family,

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.019
 the rulers of Israel

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.259
 cannot save anyone.

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.139
 They do not offer salvation,

00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.539
 which can only be found

00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.660
 in the name of Jesus Christ.

00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.839
 So Peter and John

00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.279
 and the other Christians

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.839
 who are praying

00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.500
 in this moment

00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.039
 are saying,

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.619
 is the temple

00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.680
 your domain,

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.480
 you Jewish rulers?

00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.079
 Is Jerusalem

00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.119
 your jurisdiction?

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.319
 Well,

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.160
 we are praying

00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.680
 to the sovereign Lord

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.759
 whose jurisdiction

00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.700
 is the heaven

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.360
 and the earth

00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:42.140
 and the sea

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.779
 and everything

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.680
 that is in them.

00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.539
 It is by His authority

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.519
 that we proclaim

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.400
 the name of Jesus

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:49.060
 and His authority

00:28:49.060 --> 00:28:50.860
 trumps yours.

00:28:53.060 --> 00:28:54.400
 This is the authority

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:56.820
 to speak the word

00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.480
 with boldness.

00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.340
 And then in verses

00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.380
 25 to 26,

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.920
 they quote Psalm chapter 2

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.180
 verses 1 to 2.

00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:05.299
 Why did the Gentiles

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.980
 rage

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.000
 and the peoples

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.000
 plot in vain?

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.619
 The kings of the earth

00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.579
 set themselves

00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.259
 and the rulers

00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.480
 were gathered together

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.599
 against the Lord

00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:14.799
 and against His anointed.

00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.480
 The main point

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.160
 of Psalm 2

00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.099
 is that even when

00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.299
 we are embattled

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.160
 by the nations

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.980
 and their rulers

00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.940
 who oppose God

00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.599
 and His anointed,

00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.539
 we can take refuge

00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.799
 in God

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.839
 because He remains

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.039
 enthroned as King

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.559
 over all.

00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:32.119
 It's a wonderful psalm

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:33.220
 that we can't explore

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.880
 in all its fullness

00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.500
 right now,

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.380
 but in it,

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.900
 the nations of the earth

00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.660
 and their rulers

00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.600
 oppose God

00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:40.240
 and His anointed King,

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:42.540
 which points to Jesus,

00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.540
 the Messianic King.

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.259
 And they conspire together

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.720
 and marshal

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.580
 all their forces

00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:47.420
 against God.

00:29:47.800 --> 00:29:48.440
 But it says

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.440
 in verse 4

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.140
 of Psalm 2,

00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:51.400
 He who sits

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.120
 in the heavens

00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.220
 laughs.

00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:55.440
 The Lord holds them

00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.259
 in derision.

00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.580
 The phrase

00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.460
 He who sits

00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:01.240
 is a literal translation

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.100
 that can be rendered

00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.340
 He is enthroned.

00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:04.899
 and it highlights

00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:06.240
 God's sovereign worship.

00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.439
 When the kings

00:30:08.439 --> 00:30:08.959
 and rulers

00:30:08.959 --> 00:30:09.879
 of the nations

00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:10.959
 are plotting

00:30:10.959 --> 00:30:11.859
 and assembling

00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.480
 together

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.699
 against God,

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.659
 God is not

00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.559
 standing up

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.759
 and leaning forward,

00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.000
 looking out,

00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.039
 concerned.

00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:21.980
 God is not

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.539
 pacing around

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.619
 wracked

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.539
 with anxiety

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.399
 as the nations

00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:27.919
 are gathering together

00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:28.539
 and marshaling

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.179
 their forces.

00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:29.819
 No,

00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.579
 He is rather

00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.460
 sitting

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:34.319
 and laughing.

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.439
 When I was

00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.059
 a young boy,

00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:39.939
 I used to love

00:30:39.939 --> 00:30:40.359
 wrestling

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.319
 with one of my uncles.

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.460
 Being an

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.699
 undersized

00:30:45.699 --> 00:30:46.859
 but spirited

00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.659
 boy that I was,

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.460
 I always thought

00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.659
 I had a fighting chance

00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:51.379
 and I'd use

00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.039
 all my strength

00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:53.079
 to try to trip him up.

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.039
 But my uncle,

00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.319
 being the strong

00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.439
 and heavyset man

00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:58.099
 that he was,

00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:59.359
 would never budge.

00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:02.839
 And it drove me crazy

00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.899
 that every time

00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:04.599
 he wrestled,

00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.639
 he was laughing.

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.899
 I'd be grunting

00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:09.139
 and sweating

00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:10.039
 and straining

00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.219
 and he'd be laughing.

00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.519
 He was laughing

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.259
 because he was

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.939
 having fun

00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:16.579
 and because he was

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:18.240
 never at any point

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.319
 threatened.

00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.579
 He was laughing

00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.859
 because it was amusing

00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.619
 to watch

00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.519
 me struggle.

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:30.440
 In a similar way,

00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.519
 God cannot

00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.759
 be threatened.

00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:37.359
 He is the

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:37.859
 sovereign

00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.940
 Lord.

00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.079
 The word

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:41.480
 Lord

00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.099
 means

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.000
 master.

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.900
 And this is

00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.680
 highlighted further

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.379
 by the repetition

00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.099
 of the word

00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:47.879
 servant,

00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:48.980
 which can also

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.519
 be translated

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.079
 slave

00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:51.379
 in verses 25,

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:51.940
 27,

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.539
 29,

00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.099
 and 30.

00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.379
 We are God's

00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:54.779
 servants.

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:56.019
 King David

00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.740
 is God's

00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.139
 servant.

00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.460
 Jesus was his

00:31:58.460 --> 00:32:00.000
 holy servant,

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:01.539
 the set-apart servant,

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.319
 special servant

00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.039
 like no other.

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.740
 God is the

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.200
 sovereign

00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.160
 Lord,

00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:07.099
 the master,

00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.039
 and there is no

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.039
 higher authority.

00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.079
 He is not

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.240
 accountable to

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.859
 anyone.

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.940
 He is not

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:14.259
 subject to

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.799
 anyone.

00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:15.899
 He can do

00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:17.079
 as he pleases.

00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.160
 That's what it

00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.319
 means to be

00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.759
 sovereign.

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:23.400
 And then

00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.180
 verses 27

00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.680
 to 28

00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.319
 explain the

00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.900
 significance

00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.379
 of this

00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:26.920
 reference to

00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.500
 Psalm 2.

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.799
 For truly

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.420
 in this city

00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:29.759
 there were

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.460
 gathered together

00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.079
 against their

00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.759
 holy servant

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.220
 Jesus,

00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:32.680
 whom you

00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:33.099
 anointed,

00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.319
 both Herod

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.079
 and Pontius

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:35.500
 Pilate,

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:35.960
 along with

00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:36.539
 the Gentiles

00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:36.759
 and the

00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.160
 peoples of

00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.519
 Israel,

00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.019
 to do

00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.299
 whatever

00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.879
 your hand

00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.160
 and your

00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:39.460
 plan

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:40.039
 had predestined

00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.359
 to take

00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:40.779
 place.

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:41.859
 Jesus

00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.559
 is the

00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:42.900
 Lord's

00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.319
 anointed

00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:43.819
 king,

00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.140
 mentioned

00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.980
 in Psalm 2.

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:45.900
 He is the

00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.500
 one whom

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:46.879
 God has

00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.519
 appointed to

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.220
 reign forever

00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.740
 over all

00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.259
 the people.

00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.079
 But the

00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.559
 kings of

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:50.920
 the earth

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.839
 set themselves

00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.640
 up against

00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.000
 him.

00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:53.599
 They gathered

00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.339
 against him,

00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.619
 both Herod

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.839
 Antipas and

00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.759
 Pontius Pilate.

00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.279
 They represent

00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:01.079
 respectively the

00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:01.940
 Jewish ruler

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.799
 and the

00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.740
 Gentile ruler.

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.839
 Along with

00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.720
 the Gentiles

00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.140
 and the

00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:07.720
 peoples of

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.119
 Israel,

00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.259
 including all

00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.779
 the Jewish

00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.200
 elders,

00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:10.940
 scribes,

00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.519
 high priests,

00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.400
 the Sanhedrin,

00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:12.879
 the Jewish

00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.259
 rulers,

00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.220
 were gathered

00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.579
 all conspiring

00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.759
 against the

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.359
 Lord to

00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:18.379
 oppose Jesus

00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.920
 Christ.

00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.800
 But they

00:33:19.800 --> 00:33:20.279
 are saying,

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:20.640
 the already

00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.539
 Christians are

00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:21.960
 saying,

00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:22.940
 it was all

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:24.100
 in vain.

00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:25.800
 Because they

00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:26.200
 could not

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.519
 stop what

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.060
 the Lord,

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.800
 what God's

00:33:29.800 --> 00:33:30.640
 hand and

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.480
 plan had

00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.240
 predestined to

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.060
 take place.

00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:34.519
 Verses 27 to

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:34.900
 28.

00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:38.039
 The reference

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.860
 to Jesus as

00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.940
 God's servant

00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.900
 is an allusion

00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.500
 to Isaiah

00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.140
 53,

00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:42.900
 where Jesus

00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.539
 is described

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:43.900
 as the

00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:44.360
 suffering

00:33:44.360 --> 00:33:45.380
 servant of

00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:45.820
 the Lord

00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:46.600
 who bears

00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:46.880
 our

00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.420
 iniquities,

00:33:47.520 --> 00:33:48.020
 our sins

00:33:48.020 --> 00:33:49.100
 and transgressions

00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:50.000
 and dies

00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.600
 on the cross

00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:50.900
 in our

00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.180
 place so

00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.420
 that we

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:52.780
 might be

00:33:52.780 --> 00:33:53.420
 forgiven and

00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.340
 redeemed from

00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.080
 our slavery

00:33:55.080 --> 00:33:55.660
 to sin.

00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.020
 And these

00:33:57.020 --> 00:33:58.140
 rulers of

00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:58.660
 the earth

00:33:58.660 --> 00:33:59.460
 thought that

00:33:59.460 --> 00:33:59.760
 they had

00:33:59.760 --> 00:34:00.380
 gotten the

00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.100
 better of

00:34:01.100 --> 00:34:01.560
 Jesus,

00:34:01.780 --> 00:34:02.180
 the Lord's

00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:02.500
 anointed,

00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.440
 by crucifying

00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:03.720
 him.

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.320
 But God

00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:06.280
 raised him

00:34:06.280 --> 00:34:06.800
 from the

00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:07.060
 dead

00:34:07.060 --> 00:34:07.860
 triumphantly,

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:09.200
 and Jesus

00:34:09.200 --> 00:34:10.039
 ascended into

00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.800
 the right hand

00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:11.120
 of God

00:34:11.120 --> 00:34:11.700
 the Father,

00:34:12.180 --> 00:34:12.539
 there to

00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.700
 reign forever.

00:34:14.600 --> 00:34:15.080
 And that's

00:34:15.080 --> 00:34:15.880
 the word,

00:34:16.600 --> 00:34:17.300
 that's that

00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:18.080
 good news of

00:34:18.080 --> 00:34:18.760
 Jesus and

00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.420
 his reign,

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.800
 the salvation

00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.460
 that is found

00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.840
 in the death

00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.720
 and resurrection

00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:24.300
 of Jesus.

00:34:24.580 --> 00:34:25.640
 That is the

00:34:25.640 --> 00:34:26.260
 word that we

00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.120
 are to boldly

00:34:27.120 --> 00:34:27.519
 proclaim.

00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:28.840
 And it's

00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:30.220
 because we

00:34:30.220 --> 00:34:30.740
 are commissioned

00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.700
 by the

00:34:31.700 --> 00:34:32.840
 unimpeachable

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.820
 sovereign Lord,

00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:35.440
 and because we

00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.960
 are commissioned

00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.920
 by the ascended

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.940
 Lord Jesus who

00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.620
 reigns from the

00:34:38.620 --> 00:34:39.039
 right hand of

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.480
 the Father,

00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:40.780
 we have

00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.600
 the authority

00:34:41.600 --> 00:34:42.800
 and the

00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:44.040
 warrant to

00:34:44.040 --> 00:34:44.560
 speak the

00:34:44.560 --> 00:34:44.980
 word with

00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.560
 boldness.

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.140
 But where

00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:49.519
 does the

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.260
 power to

00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.920
 speak the

00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.360
 word with

00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:51.960
 boldness come

00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.240
 from?

00:34:53.140 --> 00:34:53.640
 We've looked

00:34:53.640 --> 00:34:54.019
 at the

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.000
 reason to

00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.380
 speak the

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:55.720
 word with

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.140
 boldness and

00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:56.720
 the authority

00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:57.380
 to speak the

00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:57.760
 word with

00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:58.220
 boldness,

00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:58.800
 but where

00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.080
 do we get

00:34:59.080 --> 00:34:59.700
 the power

00:34:59.700 --> 00:35:00.560
 to do so?

00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.519
 Authority is

00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.240
 the right

00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:03.800
 to do

00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:04.280
 something.

00:35:05.040 --> 00:35:05.820
 Power is

00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.740
 the might

00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:07.440
 to do

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.880
 something.

00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:10.780
 authority

00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:11.780
 authorizes

00:35:11.780 --> 00:35:12.160
 you to

00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:12.619
 act in

00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:12.920
 a certain

00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:13.519
 capacity.

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.380
 Power

00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.079
 enables

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.700
 you or

00:35:15.700 --> 00:35:16.340
 empowers

00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.160
 you to

00:35:17.160 --> 00:35:17.640
 act in

00:35:17.640 --> 00:35:18.019
 a certain

00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.700
 capacity.

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.019
 And we

00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.280
 see the

00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:20.740
 answer in

00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:21.420
 verses 29

00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.039
 to 31.

00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.900
 And now

00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.340
 Lord,

00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.900
 look upon

00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:26.680
 their threats

00:35:26.680 --> 00:35:27.440
 and grant

00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:27.780
 to your

00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:28.420
 servants to

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.119
 continue to

00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.640
 speak your

00:35:29.640 --> 00:35:30.340
 word with

00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.460
 all boldness

00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.760
 while you

00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:33.320
 stretch out

00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:33.760
 your hand

00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:34.280
 to heal

00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:34.880
 and signs

00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.360
 and wonders

00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:35.880
 are performed

00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.240
 through the

00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:36.700
 name of your

00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:37.259
 holy servant

00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:37.699
 Jesus.

00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:38.839
 And when

00:35:38.839 --> 00:35:39.199
 they had

00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:39.679
 prayed,

00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.219
 the place

00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:40.559
 in which

00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:40.859
 they were

00:35:40.859 --> 00:35:41.199
 gathered

00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.599
 together

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.239
 was shaken

00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:43.000
 and they

00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.359
 were all

00:35:43.359 --> 00:35:43.939
 filled with

00:35:43.939 --> 00:35:44.259
 the Holy

00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:44.819
 Spirit and

00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:45.439
 continued to

00:35:45.439 --> 00:35:45.939
 speak the

00:35:45.939 --> 00:35:46.279
 word of

00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:47.239
 God with

00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:48.039
 boldness.

00:35:50.799 --> 00:35:51.599
 This is a

00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.819
 very challenging

00:35:52.819 --> 00:35:53.699
 prayer and I

00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.559
 think if we

00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:54.919
 are honest

00:35:54.919 --> 00:35:55.599
 with ourselves,

00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.439
 we'd admit

00:35:56.439 --> 00:35:57.379
 that the way

00:35:57.379 --> 00:35:58.079
 these believers

00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:58.839
 pray is quite

00:35:58.839 --> 00:35:59.480
 different from

00:35:59.480 --> 00:35:59.899
 the way

00:35:59.899 --> 00:36:00.519
 modern day

00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:00.939
 Christians

00:36:00.939 --> 00:36:01.339
 pray.

00:36:03.819 --> 00:36:04.679
 Imagine that

00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.079
 you were

00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:05.639
 threatened

00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:07.199
 with bodily

00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:08.719
 harm and

00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:09.779
 charged to

00:36:09.779 --> 00:36:10.480
 never again

00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.000
 speak in the

00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:11.400
 name of the

00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:11.960
 Lord Jesus

00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:13.239
 by the very

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:13.859
 people who

00:36:13.859 --> 00:36:14.539
 killed our

00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.039
 Lord Jesus

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.980
 just over a

00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.480
 month or so

00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:16.759
 ago.

00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.219
 How would

00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:20.779
 you respond?

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.799
 How would

00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:24.259
 you pray?

00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:26.980
 We might

00:36:26.980 --> 00:36:27.619
 pray for

00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.119
 God's

00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.759
 protection

00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:28.880
 protection

00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:31.220
 from their

00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.700
 threats.

00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:34.100
 We might

00:36:34.100 --> 00:36:34.720
 pray for

00:36:34.720 --> 00:36:35.220
 God's

00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:35.720
 wisdom

00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:37.300
 about how

00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:37.700
 we might

00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.100
 go about

00:36:38.100 --> 00:36:38.580
 preaching the

00:36:38.580 --> 00:36:39.000
 gospel in

00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.320
 light of

00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:39.700
 these new

00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:40.100
 threats.

00:36:41.520 --> 00:36:42.240
 We might

00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:43.200
 pray that

00:36:43.200 --> 00:36:44.520
 God would

00:36:44.520 --> 00:36:45.800
 change these

00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:46.240
 rulers'

00:36:46.620 --> 00:36:47.960
 hearts for

00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.540
 a change of

00:36:48.540 --> 00:36:49.540
 policy so

00:36:49.540 --> 00:36:50.080
 that one day

00:36:50.080 --> 00:36:50.540
 in the future

00:36:50.540 --> 00:36:50.860
 we might

00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:51.540
 speak God's

00:36:51.540 --> 00:36:51.760
 word.

00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:54.360
 But the

00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:54.840
 early church

00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.280
 doesn't do

00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:55.539
 that.

00:36:58.220 --> 00:36:59.000
 They do

00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:00.579
 not pray for

00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.440
 protection from

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.079
 the threats of

00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:02.660
 the Sanhedrin.

00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.100
 They do not

00:37:04.100 --> 00:37:05.140
 pray that they

00:37:05.140 --> 00:37:05.860
 might be spared

00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.740
 from persecution

00:37:06.740 --> 00:37:08.000
 and execution.

00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:08.940
 They are

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:10.039
 completely disposed

00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:10.579
 to the will of

00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.300
 God as his

00:37:11.300 --> 00:37:12.400
 servants or

00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:13.019
 better as his

00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.579
 slaves.

00:37:14.140 --> 00:37:14.800
 Instead they

00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:15.900
 pray that God

00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.840
 would help them

00:37:16.840 --> 00:37:18.320
 to continue to

00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:19.180
 speak God's

00:37:19.180 --> 00:37:20.100
 word with all

00:37:20.100 --> 00:37:21.300
 boldness.

00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:23.140
 they are

00:37:23.140 --> 00:37:23.940
 not concerned

00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.660
 for their

00:37:24.660 --> 00:37:25.880
 safety and

00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:26.720
 well-being but

00:37:26.720 --> 00:37:27.200
 for the

00:37:27.200 --> 00:37:28.680
 exaltation and

00:37:28.680 --> 00:37:29.460
 the spread of

00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:30.180
 the name of

00:37:30.180 --> 00:37:30.640
 the Lord

00:37:30.640 --> 00:37:31.100
 Jesus.

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.700
 That's what

00:37:33.700 --> 00:37:34.580
 drives them.

00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:36.940
 And this is

00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.519
 why this

00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:38.580
 passage began

00:37:38.580 --> 00:37:38.960
 with the

00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.360
 mention of

00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:39.680
 Peter and

00:37:39.680 --> 00:37:40.580
 John's boldness

00:37:40.580 --> 00:37:41.280
 in verse 13

00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:42.380
 and it ends

00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:42.740
 with the

00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:43.500
 prayer for

00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.080
 continued

00:37:44.080 --> 00:37:45.160
 boldness in

00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:45.800
 verse 29

00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:46.480
 and 31.

00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:47.940
 God is

00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:49.100
 comforting us

00:37:49.100 --> 00:37:50.200
 and exhorting

00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:50.820
 us by the

00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:51.240
 hand of

00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:52.459
 Luke to

00:37:52.459 --> 00:37:53.739
 be bold in

00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:54.359
 our witness

00:37:54.359 --> 00:37:55.119
 for Jesus.

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.419
 We don't

00:37:59.419 --> 00:37:59.879
 need to

00:37:59.879 --> 00:38:00.479
 concern

00:38:00.479 --> 00:38:01.759
 ourselves with

00:38:01.759 --> 00:38:02.519
 how people

00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.579
 respond to

00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:04.559
 our declaration

00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:05.059
 of Jesus.

00:38:05.779 --> 00:38:06.799
 Some people

00:38:06.799 --> 00:38:07.339
 will be

00:38:07.339 --> 00:38:07.799
 receptive.

00:38:08.359 --> 00:38:08.839
 Others will

00:38:08.839 --> 00:38:09.799
 be resistant.

00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:11.399
 Some people

00:38:11.399 --> 00:38:11.939
 will listen

00:38:11.939 --> 00:38:12.599
 and believe.

00:38:12.859 --> 00:38:13.419
 Others will

00:38:13.419 --> 00:38:14.119
 reject our

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:14.500
 message.

00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:15.599
 Some people

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.119
 will honor

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:16.639
 us and

00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:17.539
 thank us.

00:38:18.699 --> 00:38:19.259
 Others will

00:38:19.259 --> 00:38:20.019
 revile us

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.719
 and persecute

00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:21.079
 us.

00:38:21.239 --> 00:38:22.079
 But their

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:23.599
 response is

00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:24.739
 not our

00:38:24.739 --> 00:38:25.619
 responsibility.

00:38:27.759 --> 00:38:28.359
 Our

00:38:28.359 --> 00:38:29.419
 responsibility is

00:38:29.419 --> 00:38:30.000
 simply to

00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.739
 speak the

00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:31.199
 word of

00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:31.639
 Christ.

00:38:32.359 --> 00:38:32.579
 To

00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:33.419
 proclaim the

00:38:33.419 --> 00:38:33.919
 gospel of

00:38:33.919 --> 00:38:34.159
 Jesus.

00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:36.699
 This is why

00:38:36.699 --> 00:38:37.239
 I don't want

00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:38.199
 any of you

00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:38.559
 to be

00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.239
 discouraged

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:41.219
 when people

00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.539
 that you

00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:41.899
 share the

00:38:41.899 --> 00:38:42.439
 gospel with

00:38:42.439 --> 00:38:43.059
 don't turn

00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.979
 to Jesus

00:38:43.979 --> 00:38:44.719
 in faith.

00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:46.059
 God

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:46.659
 if you

00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:46.779
 have

00:38:46.779 --> 00:38:47.559
 shared it

00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.239
 if you

00:38:48.239 --> 00:38:48.899
 have spoken

00:38:48.899 --> 00:38:49.480
 the word

00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:50.059
 then you

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.699
 have been

00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:51.339
 a faithful

00:38:51.339 --> 00:38:52.000
 servant of

00:38:52.000 --> 00:38:52.259
 the Lord

00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:52.559
 Jesus.

00:38:54.239 --> 00:38:54.879
 Don't

00:38:54.879 --> 00:38:55.500
 count how

00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.059
 many people

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.500
 have been

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.339
 converted by

00:38:57.339 --> 00:38:57.759
 your witness

00:38:57.759 --> 00:38:58.359
 to Christ

00:38:58.359 --> 00:38:59.480
 for that's

00:38:59.480 --> 00:39:00.459
 not ultimately

00:39:00.459 --> 00:39:01.000
 in our

00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:01.500
 control.

00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:02.759
 Count

00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:03.699
 instead the

00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:04.219
 number of

00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:04.659
 times you

00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:05.219
 have shared

00:39:05.219 --> 00:39:05.879
 the good

00:39:05.879 --> 00:39:06.419
 news of

00:39:06.419 --> 00:39:07.119
 Jesus with

00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:07.759
 those who

00:39:07.759 --> 00:39:08.099
 do not

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.559
 know him.

00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:13.460
 verses 29

00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:14.019
 and 30

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:14.799
 compliment each

00:39:14.799 --> 00:39:14.980
 other.

00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:15.320
 It says

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:16.099
 grant to

00:39:16.099 --> 00:39:16.559
 your servants

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:17.039
 to continue

00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:17.739
 to speak

00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.340
 your word

00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:18.699
 with all

00:39:18.699 --> 00:39:19.139
 boldness

00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:20.360
 while you

00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:21.500
 stretch out

00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:21.860
 your hand

00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.340
 to heal

00:39:22.340 --> 00:39:23.340
 and signs

00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:23.779
 and wonders

00:39:23.779 --> 00:39:24.340
 are performed

00:39:24.340 --> 00:39:24.699
 through the

00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:25.000
 name of

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:25.320
 your holy

00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:25.659
 servant

00:39:25.659 --> 00:39:26.119
 Jesus.

00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:27.579
 To put it

00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:27.940
 simply

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.960
 we do

00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:29.619
 the speaking

00:39:29.619 --> 00:39:30.900
 God

00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:31.699
 does the

00:39:31.699 --> 00:39:32.039
 healing.

00:39:34.320 --> 00:39:35.299
 We do

00:39:35.299 --> 00:39:35.940
 the telling

00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:37.440
 God

00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:38.119
 does the

00:39:38.119 --> 00:39:38.539
 saving.

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:40.320
 We do

00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:41.239
 the proclaiming

00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:42.139
 God

00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:42.599
 does

00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:43.000
 the

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.639
 demonstrating.

00:39:45.559 --> 00:39:46.360
 Leave

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:46.840
 God's

00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:47.279
 part

00:39:47.279 --> 00:39:47.940
 up to

00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.380
 God

00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:49.380
 and focus

00:39:49.380 --> 00:39:50.000
 on your

00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.460
 part.

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:51.920
 The

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.519
 signs and

00:39:52.519 --> 00:39:52.840
 wonders

00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:53.420
 that God

00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:53.960
 performs

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.679
 are God's

00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:55.199
 sovereign

00:39:55.199 --> 00:39:56.039
 prerogative.

00:39:57.079 --> 00:39:57.299
 They are

00:39:57.299 --> 00:39:57.840
 not something

00:39:57.840 --> 00:39:58.179
 we can

00:39:58.179 --> 00:39:58.679
 manipulate

00:39:58.679 --> 00:39:59.719
 and control

00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:00.659
 with different

00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:01.199
 formulas

00:40:01.199 --> 00:40:01.940
 and rituals.

00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:05.920
 We can't

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.460
 guarantee

00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:07.039
 God's

00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:07.259
 healing

00:40:07.259 --> 00:40:07.920
 by naming

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.240
 it and

00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:08.559
 claiming

00:40:08.559 --> 00:40:08.860
 it.

00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:10.260
 We can't

00:40:10.260 --> 00:40:10.740
 demand

00:40:10.740 --> 00:40:11.260
 that God

00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:11.599
 heal

00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.159
 because we

00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:12.780
 have faith

00:40:12.780 --> 00:40:13.340
 or because we

00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:13.900
 have already

00:40:13.900 --> 00:40:14.639
 given thanks to

00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:15.139
 God ahead of

00:40:15.139 --> 00:40:15.639
 time for the

00:40:15.639 --> 00:40:15.960
 miracle.

00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:17.920
 Such

00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.460
 attitudes

00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.460
 betray human

00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:20.019
 pride and

00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:20.559
 presumption

00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:22.139
 rather than

00:40:22.139 --> 00:40:22.380
 humble

00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:23.260
 dependence on

00:40:23.260 --> 00:40:23.539
 God.

00:40:24.180 --> 00:40:25.240
 We can

00:40:25.240 --> 00:40:26.099
 in faith

00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:26.800
 ask God

00:40:26.800 --> 00:40:27.280
 to heal

00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:28.780
 certainly

00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:30.200
 and we

00:40:30.200 --> 00:40:30.639
 should

00:40:30.639 --> 00:40:31.659
 but we

00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.200
 must leave

00:40:32.200 --> 00:40:32.760
 the results

00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:33.240
 to God.

00:40:33.239 --> 00:40:33.919
 God

00:40:33.919 --> 00:40:36.199
 it is

00:40:36.199 --> 00:40:36.739
 God

00:40:36.739 --> 00:40:37.119
 who

00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:37.679
 stretches

00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:38.239
 out

00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:38.699
 his

00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:39.000
 hand

00:40:39.000 --> 00:40:39.179
 to

00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:39.399
 heal.

00:40:40.199 --> 00:40:40.679
 It is

00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:41.039
 our

00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:41.619
 task

00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:42.399
 to speak

00:40:42.399 --> 00:40:42.779
 God's

00:40:42.779 --> 00:40:42.979
 word

00:40:42.979 --> 00:40:43.339
 with all

00:40:43.339 --> 00:40:43.899
 boldness.

00:40:48.699 --> 00:40:49.419
 Let me

00:40:49.419 --> 00:40:49.719
 bring your

00:40:49.719 --> 00:40:50.279
 attention back

00:40:50.279 --> 00:40:50.739
 to the way

00:40:50.739 --> 00:40:51.279
 scripture is

00:40:51.279 --> 00:40:51.859
 described in

00:40:51.859 --> 00:40:52.679
 verse 25.

00:40:53.079 --> 00:40:53.579
 It says

00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:54.259
 that God

00:40:54.259 --> 00:40:55.319
 through the

00:40:55.319 --> 00:40:55.919
 mouth of

00:40:55.919 --> 00:40:56.399
 our father

00:40:56.399 --> 00:40:56.839
 David

00:40:56.839 --> 00:40:57.919
 said by

00:40:57.919 --> 00:40:58.339
 the Holy

00:40:58.339 --> 00:40:58.759
 Spirit.

00:40:58.760 --> 00:41:00.520
 What that

00:41:00.520 --> 00:41:01.000
 means is

00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:01.220
 this.

00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:01.860
 The author

00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:02.380
 of scripture

00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:02.920
 ultimately

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.600
 is God.

00:41:05.040 --> 00:41:05.640
 The humans

00:41:05.640 --> 00:41:06.620
 who write

00:41:06.620 --> 00:41:07.280
 it or speak

00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:07.600
 it are

00:41:07.600 --> 00:41:07.880
 merely

00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:08.680
 instruments.

00:41:09.040 --> 00:41:09.600
 The means

00:41:09.600 --> 00:41:10.100
 through which

00:41:10.100 --> 00:41:10.740
 God speaks.

00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:12.620
 It is

00:41:12.620 --> 00:41:13.380
 therefore the

00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:14.020
 scriptures are

00:41:14.020 --> 00:41:15.300
 inspired by

00:41:15.300 --> 00:41:15.600
 God.

00:41:15.680 --> 00:41:15.900
 They are

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.540
 inerrant.

00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:17.640
 They are

00:41:17.640 --> 00:41:18.340
 infallible.

00:41:18.720 --> 00:41:19.180
 It is what

00:41:19.180 --> 00:41:20.120
 God said

00:41:20.120 --> 00:41:20.580
 by the

00:41:20.580 --> 00:41:21.240
 Holy Spirit

00:41:21.240 --> 00:41:21.840
 and when

00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:23.000
 God speaks

00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:24.560
 things happen.

00:41:25.540 --> 00:41:26.000
 Creation

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:26.720
 obeys

00:41:26.720 --> 00:41:27.520
 because he

00:41:27.520 --> 00:41:27.780
 is a

00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:28.380
 sovereign Lord

00:41:28.380 --> 00:41:28.780
 with all

00:41:28.780 --> 00:41:29.400
 authority in

00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:29.780
 heaven and

00:41:29.780 --> 00:41:30.099
 earth.

00:41:30.619 --> 00:41:31.079
 This is why

00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:31.660
 the gospel

00:41:31.660 --> 00:41:32.039
 is the

00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:32.680
 power of

00:41:32.680 --> 00:41:33.220
 God for

00:41:33.220 --> 00:41:34.440
 salvation to

00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:35.099
 everyone who

00:41:35.099 --> 00:41:35.559
 believes.

00:41:36.579 --> 00:41:37.059
 This is why

00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:37.720
 Paul says in

00:41:37.720 --> 00:41:38.280
 1 Corinthians

00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:38.900
 chapter 2

00:41:38.900 --> 00:41:39.579
 verses 45

00:41:39.579 --> 00:41:40.559
 that his

00:41:40.559 --> 00:41:41.119
 speech and

00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:41.920
 his message

00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:42.640
 were not

00:41:42.640 --> 00:41:43.440
 in plausible

00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:44.000
 words of

00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:44.840
 wisdom but

00:41:44.840 --> 00:41:46.019
 in demonstration

00:41:46.019 --> 00:41:47.180
 of the spirit

00:41:47.180 --> 00:41:48.039
 and of power

00:41:48.039 --> 00:41:48.820
 so that your

00:41:48.820 --> 00:41:49.559
 faith might not

00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:50.119
 rest in the

00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:50.820
 wisdom of man

00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:51.240
 but in the

00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:52.320
 power of God.

00:41:53.960 --> 00:41:55.019
 Don't worry

00:41:55.019 --> 00:41:56.480
 about appealing

00:41:56.480 --> 00:41:57.140
 to the wisdom

00:41:57.140 --> 00:41:57.660
 of man.

00:41:58.380 --> 00:42:00.460
 don't worry

00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.019
 about being

00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:01.700
 eloquent

00:42:01.700 --> 00:42:03.200
 and powerful

00:42:03.200 --> 00:42:03.900
 in speech.

00:42:04.860 --> 00:42:05.760
 With the

00:42:05.760 --> 00:42:06.579
 ability you

00:42:06.579 --> 00:42:07.039
 have,

00:42:07.440 --> 00:42:07.900
 with the

00:42:07.900 --> 00:42:08.660
 knowledge you

00:42:08.660 --> 00:42:09.220
 have,

00:42:09.480 --> 00:42:10.360
 just speak

00:42:10.360 --> 00:42:11.039
 the word

00:42:11.039 --> 00:42:12.039
 and let

00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:13.519
 God verify

00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:14.340
 the proclamation

00:42:14.340 --> 00:42:15.300
 of his word

00:42:15.300 --> 00:42:16.300
 with his

00:42:16.300 --> 00:42:16.700
 power.

00:42:20.840 --> 00:42:21.820
 19th century

00:42:21.820 --> 00:42:22.420
 pastor and

00:42:22.420 --> 00:42:22.720
 preacher

00:42:22.720 --> 00:42:23.740
 Charles Spurgeon

00:42:23.739 --> 00:42:24.819
 once said

00:42:24.819 --> 00:42:25.279
 this,

00:42:26.279 --> 00:42:27.659
 there seems

00:42:27.659 --> 00:42:28.519
 to me to

00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:28.879
 have been

00:42:28.879 --> 00:42:29.559
 twice as

00:42:29.559 --> 00:42:30.039
 much done

00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:30.439
 in some

00:42:30.439 --> 00:42:31.079
 ages in

00:42:31.079 --> 00:42:31.819
 defending the

00:42:31.819 --> 00:42:32.859
 Bible as

00:42:32.859 --> 00:42:33.479
 in expounding

00:42:33.479 --> 00:42:33.799
 it.

00:42:34.799 --> 00:42:35.619
 But if the

00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:36.179
 whole of our

00:42:36.179 --> 00:42:37.000
 strength shall

00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:37.779
 henceforth go

00:42:37.779 --> 00:42:38.799
 to the exposition

00:42:38.799 --> 00:42:39.659
 and spreading

00:42:39.659 --> 00:42:40.139
 of it,

00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:41.359
 we may leave

00:42:41.359 --> 00:42:42.000
 it pretty much

00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:42.459
 to defend

00:42:42.459 --> 00:42:42.919
 itself.

00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:45.159
 I do not

00:42:45.159 --> 00:42:45.619
 know whether

00:42:45.619 --> 00:42:46.099
 you see

00:42:46.099 --> 00:42:46.619
 that lion.

00:42:47.280 --> 00:42:47.780
 It is very

00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:48.659
 distinctly before

00:42:48.659 --> 00:42:49.340
 my eyes.

00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:50.480
 A number of

00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:51.280
 persons advance

00:42:51.280 --> 00:42:51.920
 to attack

00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:52.180
 him,

00:42:52.420 --> 00:42:53.200
 while a host

00:42:53.200 --> 00:42:53.659
 of us would

00:42:53.659 --> 00:42:54.440
 defend him.

00:42:55.480 --> 00:42:56.059
 Pardon me

00:42:56.059 --> 00:42:56.740
 if I offer a

00:42:56.740 --> 00:42:57.599
 quiet suggestion.

00:42:58.519 --> 00:42:59.019
 Open the

00:42:59.019 --> 00:42:59.880
 door and let

00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:00.559
 the lion

00:43:00.559 --> 00:43:01.139
 out.

00:43:01.820 --> 00:43:02.420
 He will take

00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:02.760
 care of

00:43:02.760 --> 00:43:03.180
 himself.

00:43:04.200 --> 00:43:04.700
 Why?

00:43:04.780 --> 00:43:05.000
 They are

00:43:05.000 --> 00:43:05.360
 gone.

00:43:06.360 --> 00:43:07.000
 He no sooner

00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.860
 goes forth in

00:43:07.860 --> 00:43:08.460
 his strength

00:43:08.460 --> 00:43:08.880
 than his

00:43:08.880 --> 00:43:09.860
 assailants flee.

00:43:09.860 --> 00:43:11.720
 The way to

00:43:11.720 --> 00:43:12.860
 meet infidelity

00:43:12.860 --> 00:43:13.940
 is to spread

00:43:13.940 --> 00:43:15.019
 the Bible.

00:43:15.720 --> 00:43:16.360
 The answer

00:43:16.360 --> 00:43:16.820
 to every

00:43:16.820 --> 00:43:17.320
 objection

00:43:17.320 --> 00:43:17.960
 against the

00:43:17.960 --> 00:43:19.260
 Bible is

00:43:19.260 --> 00:43:20.280
 the Bible.

00:43:21.760 --> 00:43:22.400
 Let the

00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:23.300
 word of God

00:43:23.300 --> 00:43:23.740
 out.

00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:24.900
 Let the

00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:25.320
 lion

00:43:25.320 --> 00:43:26.320
 demonstrate

00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:27.180
 his power.

00:43:27.880 --> 00:43:28.559
 Speak the

00:43:28.559 --> 00:43:29.380
 word with

00:43:29.380 --> 00:43:30.320
 boldness and

00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:31.260
 let God

00:43:31.260 --> 00:43:32.280
 work in

00:43:32.280 --> 00:43:32.920
 power through

00:43:32.920 --> 00:43:33.200
 it.

00:43:38.360 --> 00:43:39.000
 There are

00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:39.200
 a couple

00:43:39.200 --> 00:43:39.519
 of things

00:43:39.519 --> 00:43:39.759
 that we

00:43:39.759 --> 00:43:40.440
 can identify

00:43:40.440 --> 00:43:41.079
 as the

00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:42.400
 source of

00:43:42.400 --> 00:43:43.139
 this boldness

00:43:43.139 --> 00:43:43.840
 highlighted in

00:43:43.840 --> 00:43:45.420
 this last

00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:45.800
 section.

00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:48.039
 First,

00:43:48.119 --> 00:43:48.440
 there is a

00:43:48.440 --> 00:43:49.460
 contrast between

00:43:49.460 --> 00:43:50.300
 the gathering

00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:50.699
 of the

00:43:50.699 --> 00:43:51.239
 enemies of

00:43:51.239 --> 00:43:52.079
 God and

00:43:52.079 --> 00:43:52.679
 the gathering

00:43:52.679 --> 00:43:53.440
 of God's

00:43:53.440 --> 00:43:53.860
 servants.

00:43:55.199 --> 00:43:56.179
 Verse 26,

00:43:56.259 --> 00:43:56.719
 that the king

00:43:56.719 --> 00:43:56.920
 says,

00:43:57.000 --> 00:43:57.480
 the kings of

00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:57.780
 the earth

00:43:57.780 --> 00:43:58.519
 set themselves

00:43:58.519 --> 00:43:59.179
 and the

00:43:59.179 --> 00:43:59.679
 rulers were

00:43:59.679 --> 00:44:00.139
 gathered

00:44:00.139 --> 00:44:00.800
 together

00:44:00.800 --> 00:44:02.099
 against the

00:44:02.099 --> 00:44:02.659
 Lord and

00:44:02.659 --> 00:44:03.079
 against his

00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:03.420
 anointed.

00:44:05.099 --> 00:44:06.139
 Verse 27

00:44:06.139 --> 00:44:06.500
 says,

00:44:06.599 --> 00:44:07.380
 for truly in

00:44:07.380 --> 00:44:07.800
 this city

00:44:07.800 --> 00:44:08.619
 were gathered

00:44:08.619 --> 00:44:09.239
 together,

00:44:09.239 --> 00:44:10.319
 against your

00:44:10.319 --> 00:44:11.019
 holy servant

00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:11.539
 Jesus,

00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:12.939
 both Herod

00:44:12.939 --> 00:44:14.039
 and Pontius

00:44:14.039 --> 00:44:14.579
 Pilate,

00:44:15.319 --> 00:44:15.919
 along with the

00:44:15.919 --> 00:44:16.539
 Gentiles and

00:44:16.539 --> 00:44:16.959
 the peoples

00:44:16.959 --> 00:44:17.459
 of Israel.

00:44:18.519 --> 00:44:19.839
 But contrasted

00:44:19.839 --> 00:44:20.759
 with these

00:44:20.759 --> 00:44:21.519
 unholy

00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:22.119
 gatherings

00:44:22.119 --> 00:44:23.739
 is the

00:44:23.739 --> 00:44:24.359
 gathering of

00:44:24.359 --> 00:44:24.799
 the people

00:44:24.799 --> 00:44:25.279
 of God.

00:44:25.279 --> 00:44:26.139
 He says in

00:44:26.139 --> 00:44:26.919
 verse 31,

00:44:27.259 --> 00:44:27.939
 and when they

00:44:27.939 --> 00:44:28.799
 had prayed,

00:44:29.139 --> 00:44:29.859
 the place in

00:44:29.859 --> 00:44:30.559
 which they

00:44:30.559 --> 00:44:31.519
 were gathered

00:44:31.519 --> 00:44:33.059
 together was

00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:33.779
 shaken.

00:44:33.780 --> 00:44:35.600
 there's a

00:44:35.600 --> 00:44:36.080
 physical

00:44:36.080 --> 00:44:36.920
 manifestation

00:44:36.920 --> 00:44:37.660
 of the

00:44:37.660 --> 00:44:38.180
 power of

00:44:38.180 --> 00:44:38.500
 the Holy

00:44:38.500 --> 00:44:38.900
 Spirit

00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:39.780
 where his

00:44:39.780 --> 00:44:40.860
 people are

00:44:40.860 --> 00:44:41.460
 gathered

00:44:41.460 --> 00:44:42.300
 together.

00:44:44.300 --> 00:44:44.980
 Brothers

00:44:44.980 --> 00:44:45.480
 and sisters,

00:44:45.640 --> 00:44:46.120
 the enemies

00:44:46.120 --> 00:44:46.800
 of God

00:44:46.800 --> 00:44:47.840
 have gathered

00:44:47.840 --> 00:44:48.320
 themselves

00:44:48.320 --> 00:44:48.820
 together.

00:44:49.940 --> 00:44:50.620
 The world

00:44:50.620 --> 00:44:51.000
 and the

00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:51.700
 devil have

00:44:51.700 --> 00:44:52.340
 conspired

00:44:52.340 --> 00:44:52.900
 against the

00:44:52.900 --> 00:44:53.300
 Lord and

00:44:53.300 --> 00:44:53.880
 his anointed

00:44:53.880 --> 00:44:54.840
 to snuff

00:44:54.840 --> 00:44:55.200
 out the

00:44:55.200 --> 00:44:55.540
 name of

00:44:55.540 --> 00:44:56.100
 Jesus from

00:44:56.100 --> 00:44:56.340
 under

00:44:56.340 --> 00:44:56.660
 heaven.

00:44:57.460 --> 00:44:57.920
 They

00:44:57.920 --> 00:44:58.740
 systematically

00:44:58.740 --> 00:44:59.519
 undermine

00:44:59.519 --> 00:45:00.619
 and discredit

00:45:00.619 --> 00:45:01.119
 the name

00:45:01.119 --> 00:45:01.659
 of Jesus.

00:45:02.099 --> 00:45:03.079
 They oppose

00:45:03.079 --> 00:45:03.840
 those who

00:45:03.840 --> 00:45:04.519
 proclaim the

00:45:04.519 --> 00:45:04.940
 name of

00:45:04.940 --> 00:45:05.259
 Jesus.

00:45:05.659 --> 00:45:06.059
 And it is

00:45:06.059 --> 00:45:06.599
 for that

00:45:06.599 --> 00:45:06.960
 reason,

00:45:07.199 --> 00:45:07.679
 it's all

00:45:07.679 --> 00:45:07.980
 the more

00:45:07.980 --> 00:45:08.460
 important that

00:45:08.460 --> 00:45:09.239
 we gather

00:45:09.239 --> 00:45:11.800
 together in

00:45:11.800 --> 00:45:12.179
 the name

00:45:12.179 --> 00:45:12.639
 of Jesus.

00:45:14.840 --> 00:45:15.559
 In a

00:45:15.559 --> 00:45:16.219
 football game,

00:45:16.400 --> 00:45:16.920
 before the

00:45:16.920 --> 00:45:17.619
 players go

00:45:17.619 --> 00:45:18.300
 out to face

00:45:18.300 --> 00:45:19.059
 their opponents,

00:45:19.739 --> 00:45:21.840
 they gather

00:45:21.840 --> 00:45:22.420
 together in

00:45:22.420 --> 00:45:23.079
 a huddle to

00:45:23.079 --> 00:45:23.820
 face their

00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:25.199
 friends, to

00:45:25.199 --> 00:45:26.059
 plan together,

00:45:26.480 --> 00:45:27.400
 to encourage

00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:28.119
 and exhort

00:45:28.119 --> 00:45:28.719
 one another,

00:45:28.719 --> 00:45:29.379
 so that

00:45:29.379 --> 00:45:29.639
 they might

00:45:29.639 --> 00:45:30.019
 make a

00:45:30.019 --> 00:45:30.679
 concerted

00:45:30.679 --> 00:45:31.339
 push against

00:45:31.339 --> 00:45:31.919
 their opponents.

00:45:33.659 --> 00:45:34.159
 Remember

00:45:34.159 --> 00:45:34.919
 verse 23,

00:45:35.099 --> 00:45:35.579
 when Peter

00:45:35.579 --> 00:45:35.899
 and John

00:45:35.899 --> 00:45:36.500
 were released,

00:45:37.059 --> 00:45:37.500
 where did

00:45:37.500 --> 00:45:37.879
 they go?

00:45:37.980 --> 00:45:38.480
 They went

00:45:38.480 --> 00:45:39.480
 to their

00:45:39.480 --> 00:45:40.139
 friends.

00:45:41.079 --> 00:45:41.699
 They went

00:45:41.699 --> 00:45:42.519
 to their

00:45:42.519 --> 00:45:42.919
 own.

00:45:43.859 --> 00:45:44.359
 When we

00:45:44.359 --> 00:45:45.079
 are bombarded

00:45:45.079 --> 00:45:46.000
 with counter

00:45:46.000 --> 00:45:46.859
 messaging and

00:45:46.859 --> 00:45:47.579
 pressure from

00:45:47.579 --> 00:45:48.079
 the world,

00:45:48.399 --> 00:45:49.559
 day in and

00:45:49.559 --> 00:45:50.059
 day out,

00:45:50.099 --> 00:45:50.539
 when we are

00:45:50.539 --> 00:45:51.659
 faced with

00:45:51.659 --> 00:45:52.719
 innumerable

00:45:52.719 --> 00:45:53.619
 temptations,

00:45:53.959 --> 00:45:54.699
 day in and

00:45:54.699 --> 00:45:55.059
 day out,

00:45:55.119 --> 00:45:56.099
 we need the

00:45:56.099 --> 00:45:56.859
 body of Christ

00:45:56.859 --> 00:45:57.799
 to remind us

00:45:57.800 --> 00:45:58.820
 we believe

00:45:58.820 --> 00:45:59.300
 in God,

00:45:59.380 --> 00:45:59.860
 the Father

00:45:59.860 --> 00:46:00.300
 Almighty,

00:46:00.580 --> 00:46:01.280
 creator of

00:46:01.280 --> 00:46:01.840
 heaven and

00:46:01.840 --> 00:46:02.140
 earth.

00:46:03.160 --> 00:46:03.960
 We believe

00:46:03.960 --> 00:46:04.480
 in Jesus

00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:04.920
 Christ,

00:46:04.980 --> 00:46:05.480
 his only

00:46:05.480 --> 00:46:05.860
 son,

00:46:05.940 --> 00:46:06.460
 our Lord.

00:46:07.180 --> 00:46:08.300
 We believe

00:46:08.300 --> 00:46:09.180
 in the

00:46:09.180 --> 00:46:09.840
 Holy Spirit,

00:46:10.260 --> 00:46:10.740
 the holy

00:46:10.740 --> 00:46:11.360
 universal

00:46:11.360 --> 00:46:11.860
 church,

00:46:12.080 --> 00:46:12.560
 the communion

00:46:12.560 --> 00:46:13.080
 of saints,

00:46:13.200 --> 00:46:13.760
 the forgiveness

00:46:13.760 --> 00:46:14.380
 of sins,

00:46:14.640 --> 00:46:15.240
 the resurrection

00:46:15.240 --> 00:46:16.060
 of the body,

00:46:16.160 --> 00:46:16.780
 and the life

00:46:16.780 --> 00:46:17.680
 everlasting.

00:46:17.679 --> 00:46:19.679
 God's

00:46:19.679 --> 00:46:21.019
 God's

00:46:21.019 --> 00:46:21.859
 God's

00:46:21.859 --> 00:46:22.980
 God's

00:46:22.980 --> 00:46:23.659
 word read

00:46:23.659 --> 00:46:24.379
 and preached,

00:46:24.779 --> 00:46:25.519
 when we sing

00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:26.399
 God's word to

00:46:26.399 --> 00:46:26.919
 one another,

00:46:27.159 --> 00:46:28.119
 when we partake

00:46:28.119 --> 00:46:28.659
 in God's

00:46:28.659 --> 00:46:29.379
 word embodied

00:46:29.379 --> 00:46:29.699
 in the

00:46:29.699 --> 00:46:30.379
 sacraments,

00:46:30.599 --> 00:46:31.079
 we are

00:46:31.079 --> 00:46:31.519
 renewed,

00:46:32.339 --> 00:46:33.219
 recalibrated,

00:46:33.960 --> 00:46:34.460
 reminded.

00:46:36.299 --> 00:46:37.199
 It is no

00:46:37.199 --> 00:46:38.000
 surprise then

00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:38.799
 that Ephesians

00:46:38.799 --> 00:46:39.659
 5, 18 to

00:46:39.659 --> 00:46:40.559
 20 command us

00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:41.259
 to be filled

00:46:41.259 --> 00:46:41.779
 with the

00:46:41.779 --> 00:46:43.179
 Spirit by

00:46:43.179 --> 00:46:44.419
 addressing one

00:46:44.419 --> 00:46:44.960
 another in

00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:45.719
 psalms and hymns

00:46:45.719 --> 00:46:46.219
 of spiritual

00:46:46.219 --> 00:46:46.759
 songs,

00:46:47.379 --> 00:46:48.779
 singing and

00:46:48.779 --> 00:46:49.339
 making melody

00:46:49.339 --> 00:46:49.679
 to the

00:46:49.679 --> 00:46:52.679
 Lord with

00:46:52.679 --> 00:46:53.219
 your heart,

00:46:53.879 --> 00:46:54.599
 giving thanks

00:46:54.599 --> 00:46:55.179
 always and

00:46:55.179 --> 00:46:55.719
 for everything

00:46:55.719 --> 00:46:56.879
 to God the

00:46:56.879 --> 00:46:57.259
 Father in

00:46:57.259 --> 00:46:57.579
 the name of

00:46:57.579 --> 00:46:57.899
 our Lord

00:46:57.899 --> 00:46:58.259
 Jesus,

00:46:59.000 --> 00:46:59.659
 submitting to

00:46:59.659 --> 00:47:00.099
 one another

00:47:00.099 --> 00:47:00.519
 out of

00:47:00.519 --> 00:47:01.099
 reverence for

00:47:01.099 --> 00:47:01.539
 Christ.

00:47:01.879 --> 00:47:02.459
 It's when we

00:47:02.459 --> 00:47:03.159
 are addressing

00:47:03.159 --> 00:47:03.819
 one another

00:47:03.819 --> 00:47:04.179
 with the

00:47:04.179 --> 00:47:04.519
 word of

00:47:04.519 --> 00:47:04.919
 Christ,

00:47:05.239 --> 00:47:05.699
 when we

00:47:05.699 --> 00:47:06.000
 are giving

00:47:06.000 --> 00:47:06.579
 thanks to

00:47:06.579 --> 00:47:07.119
 God together,

00:47:07.219 --> 00:47:07.459
 when we

00:47:07.459 --> 00:47:07.959
 are submitting

00:47:07.959 --> 00:47:08.619
 to each

00:47:08.619 --> 00:47:09.459
 other in

00:47:09.459 --> 00:47:10.119
 humility and

00:47:10.119 --> 00:47:10.439
 mutual

00:47:10.439 --> 00:47:11.139
 servanthood,

00:47:11.379 --> 00:47:11.839
 that we are

00:47:11.839 --> 00:47:12.480
 filled with

00:47:12.480 --> 00:47:12.899
 the Spirit

00:47:12.899 --> 00:47:13.359
 of God.

00:47:13.360 --> 00:47:15.900
 And that

00:47:15.900 --> 00:47:16.360
 leads me to

00:47:16.360 --> 00:47:16.840
 the ultimate

00:47:16.840 --> 00:47:17.380
 source of

00:47:17.380 --> 00:47:18.559
 power for

00:47:18.559 --> 00:47:19.360
 bold witness.

00:47:19.840 --> 00:47:20.500
 It says in

00:47:20.500 --> 00:47:21.260
 verse 31,

00:47:21.980 --> 00:47:22.440
 And when they

00:47:22.440 --> 00:47:23.180
 had prayed,

00:47:23.820 --> 00:47:24.680
 the place in

00:47:24.680 --> 00:47:25.019
 which they

00:47:25.019 --> 00:47:25.480
 were gathered

00:47:25.480 --> 00:47:26.120
 together was

00:47:26.120 --> 00:47:26.579
 shaken,

00:47:27.220 --> 00:47:27.700
 and they

00:47:27.700 --> 00:47:28.120
 were all

00:47:28.120 --> 00:47:28.680
 filled with

00:47:28.680 --> 00:47:29.320
 the Holy

00:47:29.320 --> 00:47:29.840
 Spirit and

00:47:29.840 --> 00:47:30.460
 continued to

00:47:30.460 --> 00:47:30.840
 speak the

00:47:30.840 --> 00:47:31.120
 word of

00:47:31.120 --> 00:47:31.740
 God with

00:47:31.740 --> 00:47:32.360
 boldness.

00:47:33.539 --> 00:47:34.519
 The power

00:47:34.519 --> 00:47:35.220
 to speak the

00:47:35.220 --> 00:47:35.620
 word with

00:47:35.620 --> 00:47:36.300
 boldness comes

00:47:36.300 --> 00:47:36.720
 from the

00:47:36.720 --> 00:47:37.220
 filling of

00:47:37.220 --> 00:47:37.500
 the Holy

00:47:37.500 --> 00:47:37.880
 Spirit,

00:47:38.200 --> 00:47:38.880
 which in

00:47:38.880 --> 00:47:39.599
 turn comes

00:47:39.599 --> 00:47:40.099
 through the

00:47:40.099 --> 00:47:40.800
 means of

00:47:40.800 --> 00:47:41.160
 prayer.

00:47:43.360 --> 00:47:44.039
 If we

00:47:44.039 --> 00:47:44.519
 want to

00:47:44.519 --> 00:47:45.160
 be bold,

00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:46.000
 we must

00:47:46.000 --> 00:47:46.500
 be filled

00:47:46.500 --> 00:47:46.860
 with the

00:47:46.860 --> 00:47:47.200
 Spirit,

00:47:47.760 --> 00:47:48.200
 possessed

00:47:48.200 --> 00:47:49.099
 and controlled

00:47:49.099 --> 00:47:49.860
 by the

00:47:49.860 --> 00:47:50.160
 Spirit,

00:47:50.700 --> 00:47:51.400
 and this

00:47:51.400 --> 00:47:52.059
 boldness is

00:47:52.059 --> 00:47:52.700
 not something

00:47:52.700 --> 00:47:53.180
 that we can

00:47:53.180 --> 00:47:54.019
 conjure up

00:47:54.019 --> 00:47:54.480
 with our

00:47:54.480 --> 00:47:56.019
 sheer willpower.

00:47:57.019 --> 00:47:57.579
 This

00:47:57.579 --> 00:47:58.400
 boldness that

00:47:58.400 --> 00:47:59.200
 Scripture speaks

00:47:59.200 --> 00:47:59.980
 of is not a

00:47:59.980 --> 00:48:00.480
 force of

00:48:00.480 --> 00:48:01.120
 personality.

00:48:01.740 --> 00:48:02.620
 It's something

00:48:02.620 --> 00:48:03.019
 that is

00:48:03.019 --> 00:48:03.980
 supernatural in

00:48:03.980 --> 00:48:04.400
 its origin.

00:48:04.519 --> 00:48:04.820
 It's something

00:48:04.820 --> 00:48:05.320
 that comes

00:48:05.320 --> 00:48:05.860
 from the

00:48:05.860 --> 00:48:06.539
 Holy Spirit.

00:48:09.539 --> 00:48:10.099
 J.

00:48:10.260 --> 00:48:10.579
 Edwin

00:48:10.579 --> 00:48:11.019
 Orr,

00:48:11.620 --> 00:48:12.260
 one of the

00:48:12.260 --> 00:48:13.120
 great historians

00:48:13.119 --> 00:48:14.359
 of Christian

00:48:14.359 --> 00:48:14.900
 revival,

00:48:16.039 --> 00:48:16.799
 says this,

00:48:17.579 --> 00:48:18.659
 no great

00:48:18.659 --> 00:48:19.319
 spiritual

00:48:19.319 --> 00:48:20.480
 awakening has

00:48:20.480 --> 00:48:21.480
 begun anywhere

00:48:21.480 --> 00:48:22.339
 in the world

00:48:22.339 --> 00:48:24.679
 apart from

00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:26.139
 united prayer.

00:48:32.139 --> 00:48:33.219
 We see

00:48:33.219 --> 00:48:33.819
 again and

00:48:33.819 --> 00:48:34.480
 again throughout

00:48:34.480 --> 00:48:35.000
 the book of

00:48:35.000 --> 00:48:36.039
 Acts that

00:48:36.039 --> 00:48:36.440
 the early

00:48:36.440 --> 00:48:37.039
 church's

00:48:37.039 --> 00:48:38.039
 success in

00:48:38.039 --> 00:48:38.420
 the spread

00:48:38.420 --> 00:48:38.699
 of the

00:48:38.699 --> 00:48:40.000
 gospel had

00:48:40.000 --> 00:48:40.779
 nothing to

00:48:40.779 --> 00:48:42.159
 do with

00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:42.699
 brilliant

00:48:42.699 --> 00:48:43.179
 human

00:48:43.179 --> 00:48:43.799
 strategy,

00:48:44.960 --> 00:48:45.779
 well-packaged

00:48:45.779 --> 00:48:46.639
 programs,

00:48:47.359 --> 00:48:48.259
 or sociological

00:48:48.259 --> 00:48:50.099
 and marketing

00:48:50.099 --> 00:48:51.019
 principles.

00:48:52.559 --> 00:48:53.759
 It had

00:48:53.759 --> 00:48:54.759
 everything to

00:48:54.759 --> 00:48:55.940
 do with

00:48:55.940 --> 00:48:57.199
 speaking God's

00:48:57.199 --> 00:48:58.119
 word in the

00:48:58.119 --> 00:48:59.179
 power of the

00:48:59.179 --> 00:48:59.779
 Holy Spirit

00:48:59.779 --> 00:49:00.579
 and the

00:49:00.579 --> 00:49:01.619
 appropriation of

00:49:01.619 --> 00:49:02.279
 that Spirit's

00:49:02.279 --> 00:49:03.199
 power through

00:49:03.199 --> 00:49:03.659
 prayer.

00:49:03.659 --> 00:49:03.699
 prayer.

00:49:08.199 --> 00:49:09.159
 It's good to

00:49:09.159 --> 00:49:09.779
 pray for the

00:49:09.779 --> 00:49:10.779
 conversion of

00:49:10.779 --> 00:49:11.219
 our friends

00:49:11.219 --> 00:49:11.779
 and neighbors,

00:49:12.519 --> 00:49:13.019
 but we also

00:49:13.019 --> 00:49:13.679
 need to follow

00:49:13.679 --> 00:49:14.619
 Apostle Paul's

00:49:14.619 --> 00:49:15.279
 example in

00:49:15.279 --> 00:49:15.879
 Ephesians 6,

00:49:15.940 --> 00:49:16.940
 17 to 20,

00:49:17.659 --> 00:49:18.619
 where he tells

00:49:18.619 --> 00:49:19.299
 us to take

00:49:19.299 --> 00:49:20.079
 the sword of

00:49:20.079 --> 00:49:20.500
 the Spirit,

00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:21.500
 which is the

00:49:21.500 --> 00:49:22.179
 Word of God,

00:49:22.639 --> 00:49:23.379
 praying at

00:49:23.379 --> 00:49:24.539
 all times in

00:49:24.539 --> 00:49:25.159
 the Spirit,

00:49:26.159 --> 00:49:27.119
 with all

00:49:27.119 --> 00:49:28.099
 prayer and

00:49:28.099 --> 00:49:28.819
 supplication.

00:49:29.960 --> 00:49:30.500
 To that

00:49:30.500 --> 00:49:30.920
 end,

00:49:31.719 --> 00:49:32.460
 keep alert

00:49:32.460 --> 00:49:33.000
 with all

00:49:33.000 --> 00:49:33.579
 perseverance,

00:49:33.840 --> 00:49:34.159
 making

00:49:34.159 --> 00:49:35.280
 supplication

00:49:35.280 --> 00:49:35.840
 or prayer

00:49:35.840 --> 00:49:36.340
 for all

00:49:36.340 --> 00:49:36.860
 the saints,

00:49:37.240 --> 00:49:37.840
 and also

00:49:37.840 --> 00:49:38.619
 for me,

00:49:39.019 --> 00:49:39.699
 that words

00:49:39.699 --> 00:49:40.019
 may be

00:49:40.019 --> 00:49:40.519
 given to

00:49:40.519 --> 00:49:40.820
 me in

00:49:40.820 --> 00:49:41.280
 opening my

00:49:41.280 --> 00:49:42.460
 mouth boldly

00:49:42.460 --> 00:49:42.880
 to proclaim

00:49:42.880 --> 00:49:43.360
 the mystery

00:49:43.360 --> 00:49:43.639
 of the

00:49:43.639 --> 00:49:44.000
 gospel,

00:49:44.400 --> 00:49:45.039
 for which I

00:49:45.039 --> 00:49:45.260
 am an

00:49:45.260 --> 00:49:45.920
 ambassador in

00:49:45.920 --> 00:49:46.199
 chains,

00:49:46.260 --> 00:49:46.440
 that I

00:49:46.440 --> 00:49:46.980
 may declare

00:49:46.980 --> 00:49:48.079
 it boldly

00:49:48.079 --> 00:49:48.440
 as I

00:49:48.440 --> 00:49:48.920
 ought to

00:49:48.920 --> 00:49:49.320
 speak.

00:49:50.179 --> 00:49:50.720
 We are

00:49:50.720 --> 00:49:51.440
 to wield

00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:52.019
 the sword

00:49:52.019 --> 00:49:52.300
 of the

00:49:52.300 --> 00:49:52.579
 Spirit,

00:49:53.000 --> 00:49:53.380
 which is

00:49:53.380 --> 00:49:53.740
 the Word

00:49:53.740 --> 00:49:54.280
 of God,

00:49:54.400 --> 00:49:55.159
 and we

00:49:55.159 --> 00:49:55.539
 do that

00:49:55.539 --> 00:49:56.539
 by praying

00:49:56.539 --> 00:49:56.960
 at all

00:49:56.960 --> 00:49:57.720
 times in

00:49:57.720 --> 00:49:58.179
 the Spirit.

00:49:59.320 --> 00:49:59.699
 This is

00:49:59.699 --> 00:50:00.199
 why we

00:50:00.199 --> 00:50:01.119
 must pray

00:50:01.119 --> 00:50:02.079
 that we

00:50:02.079 --> 00:50:03.000
 might boldly

00:50:03.000 --> 00:50:03.659
 proclaim the

00:50:03.659 --> 00:50:03.960
 gospel.

00:50:05.199 --> 00:50:05.940
 That's one

00:50:05.940 --> 00:50:06.880
 simple reason

00:50:06.880 --> 00:50:07.339
 why the

00:50:07.339 --> 00:50:08.000
 early church

00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:08.639
 was bold,

00:50:09.599 --> 00:50:10.039
 that they

00:50:10.039 --> 00:50:11.960
 prayed for

00:50:11.960 --> 00:50:12.539
 boldness.

00:50:15.319 --> 00:50:15.679
 Prayer is

00:50:15.679 --> 00:50:16.239
 not something

00:50:16.239 --> 00:50:16.559
 that we

00:50:16.559 --> 00:50:17.259
 add on at

00:50:17.259 --> 00:50:17.739
 the end

00:50:17.739 --> 00:50:17.980
 of our

00:50:17.980 --> 00:50:18.380
 important

00:50:18.380 --> 00:50:18.839
 activities.

00:50:19.839 --> 00:50:20.960
 It is

00:50:20.960 --> 00:50:21.799
 one of

00:50:21.799 --> 00:50:22.259
 our most

00:50:22.259 --> 00:50:22.739
 important

00:50:22.739 --> 00:50:23.299
 activities,

00:50:24.299 --> 00:50:27.239
 because it

00:50:27.239 --> 00:50:27.739
 helps us

00:50:27.739 --> 00:50:29.359
 realize that

00:50:29.359 --> 00:50:29.719
 the most

00:50:29.719 --> 00:50:30.819
 important agent

00:50:30.820 --> 00:50:32.059
 the actor

00:50:32.059 --> 00:50:32.720
 in our

00:50:32.720 --> 00:50:33.120
 ministry

00:50:33.120 --> 00:50:34.160
 is not

00:50:34.160 --> 00:50:34.740
 us,

00:50:35.440 --> 00:50:36.320
 but God.

00:50:38.640 --> 00:50:39.480
 So let's

00:50:39.480 --> 00:50:40.039
 let God

00:50:40.039 --> 00:50:40.480
 do His

00:50:40.480 --> 00:50:40.820
 work,

00:50:41.460 --> 00:50:42.840
 and let's

00:50:42.840 --> 00:50:43.320
 be faithful

00:50:43.320 --> 00:50:43.680
 to do

00:50:43.680 --> 00:50:44.320
 our part

00:50:44.320 --> 00:50:45.700
 in speaking

00:50:45.700 --> 00:50:46.160
 the Word

00:50:46.160 --> 00:50:46.620
 of God

00:50:46.620 --> 00:50:47.480
 with boldness,

00:50:48.640 --> 00:50:49.240
 despite

00:50:49.240 --> 00:50:49.800
 opposition

00:50:49.800 --> 00:50:50.300
 from the

00:50:50.300 --> 00:50:50.860
 powers that

00:50:50.860 --> 00:50:51.059
 be.

00:50:53.800 --> 00:50:54.600
 Please take

00:50:54.600 --> 00:50:55.019
 a moment

00:50:55.019 --> 00:50:56.700
 now to

00:50:56.700 --> 00:50:57.120
 think about

00:50:57.120 --> 00:50:57.500
 that.

00:50:57.500 --> 00:50:59.239
 how is

00:50:59.239 --> 00:50:59.539
 God

00:50:59.539 --> 00:51:01.320
 convicting

00:51:01.320 --> 00:51:01.659
 you,

00:51:02.239 --> 00:51:02.679
 calling you

00:51:02.679 --> 00:51:03.079
 to respond

00:51:03.079 --> 00:51:03.400
 to this

00:51:03.400 --> 00:51:03.780
 message?

00:51:04.260 --> 00:51:04.639
 Take a

00:51:04.639 --> 00:51:05.159
 moment to

00:51:05.159 --> 00:51:06.199
 think about

00:51:06.199 --> 00:51:06.440
 it in

00:51:06.440 --> 00:51:06.760
 silence,

00:51:07.139 --> 00:51:07.579
 and then

00:51:07.579 --> 00:51:07.800
 we're going

00:51:07.800 --> 00:51:08.239
 to respond

00:51:08.239 --> 00:51:08.579
 together

00:51:08.579 --> 00:51:08.980
 corporately

00:51:08.980 --> 00:51:09.500
 by praying.

00:51:09.500 --> 00:51:10.579
 on.

00:51:11.380 --> 00:51:15.840
ch