WEBVTT

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 Acts chapter 11 verse 27 today. I covered, we're going to read those a few verses at the end of

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 chapter 11 again and we'll go to chapter 12 verse 25. Acts 11 27 to 12 25. I'll give you a moment

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 to find your place in scripture. It's okay. It's totally fine.

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 I'm sure Jesus had a lot more distractions so this is, it's totally fine for kids to be in the

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 service and we want kids to be here because that means the parents are here and we want the kids

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 to be here too because we want them to see their parents worship the Lord, see other adults worship

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 the Lord and come to know the Lord Jesus themselves. Acts 11 27 to 12 25. Let me pray for the reading

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 and preaching of God's word. Heavenly Father,

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 we confess that it is easy to be

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 be carried away by the course of this world with its own priorities, desires, fears.

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 But Lord, we want to be a people because we are citizens of another kingdom

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 because we have a heavenly citizenship. We want to be governed by a different charter.

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 We want to be governed by you,

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 our King, our Lord.

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 So we ask that you will now address us as your subjects, your people.

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 We in us

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 from our dependencies in this world,

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 from sinful fleshly attachments,

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 and make us dependent wholly on you.

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 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Acts 11, starting in verse 27.

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 Now in these days,

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 prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch,

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 and one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world.

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 This took place in the days of Claudius.

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 So the disciples determined

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 everyone according to his ability to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

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 And they did so,

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 sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

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 About that time,

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 Herod the King laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

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 He killed James,

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 the brother of John, with the sword.

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 And when he saw that it pleased the Jews,

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 he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

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 This was during the days of unleavened bread.

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 And when he had seized him,

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 he put him in prison,

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 delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him,

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 intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

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 So Peter was kept in prison,

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 but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

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 Now when Herod was about to bring him out,

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 on that very night,

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 Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,

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 bound with two chains.

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 And centuries before the door were guarding the prison.

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 And behold,

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 an angel of the Lord stood next to him,

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 and a light shone in the cell.

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 He struck Peter on the side and woke him,

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 saying,

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 Get up quickly.

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 And the chains fell off his hands.

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 And the angel said to him,

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 Dress yourself and put on your sandals.

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 And he did so.

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 And he said to him,

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 Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.

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 And he went out and followed him.

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 He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real,

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 but thought he was seeing a vision.

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 When they had passed the first and the second guard,

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 they came to the iron gate leading into the city.

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 It opened for them of its own accord.

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 And they went out and went along one street,

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 and immediately the angel left him.

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 When Peter came to himself, he said,

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 Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel

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 and rescued me from the hand of Herod

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 and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.

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 When he realized this,

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 he went to the house of Mary.

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 The mother of John, whose other name was Mark,

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 where many were gathered together and were praying.

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 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway,

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 a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.

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 Recognizing Peter's voice,

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 in her joy she did not open the gate,

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 but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.

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 They said to her,

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 You are out of your mind.

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 But she kept insisting that it was so,

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 and they kept saying,

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 It is his angel.

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 But Peter continued knocking,

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 and when they opened,

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 they saw him and were amazed.

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 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent,

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 he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison.

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 And he said,

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 Tell all these things to James and to the brothers.

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 Then he departed and went to another place.

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 Now, when day came,

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 there was no little disturbance among the soldiers

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 over what had become of Peter.

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 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him,

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 he examined the sentries

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 in order that they should be put to death.

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 Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea

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 and spent time there.

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 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon.

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 And they came to him with one accord,

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 and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain,

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 they asked for peace,

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 because their country depended on the king's country for food.

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 On an appointed day,

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 Herod put on his royal robes,

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 took his seat upon the throne,

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 and delivered an oration to them.

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 And the people were shouting,

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 The voice of a God and not of a man.

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 Immediately,

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 an angel of the Lord struck him down,

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 because he did not give God the glory.

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 And he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

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 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

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 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem

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 when they had completed their service,

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 bringing with them John,

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 whose other name was Mark.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 We live in a culture where matters of spirituality

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 and religion have been relegated to

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 the realm of kind of private, personal opinion,

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 rather than the public realm of facts.

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 So evangelism and proselytization

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 is almost kind of a bad word in our culture.

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 They say,

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 Don't try to impose your beliefs on others.

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 Not only that,

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 but because we live in a world where our enemy,

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 Satan, is at large,

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 there's a general opposition,

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 spiritual opposition,

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 to proclaiming the name of Jesus.

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 People are free to share their opinions

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 about a wide range of controversial topics,

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 but speaking of Jesus

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 is considered offensive,

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 intrusive.

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 For these reasons and more,

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 there is a social and relational risk

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 whenever we share the good news of Jesus Christ.

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 And sometimes there is more than mere risk.

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 Sometimes there's actual cost.

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 You can lose friends.

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 Your relationship with your neighbor can grow cold.

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 In the book of Acts,

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 we see a gradual escalation

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 of the costs that the early Christians

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 had to bear for bearing witness to Jesus.

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 In Acts chapter 4, verse 21,

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 they were arrested,

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 and then they were tried,

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 but with a warning,

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 they were released.

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 In Acts chapter 5, verse 40,

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 they were again arrested and imprisoned,

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 put on trial,

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 charged not to speak in Jesus' name,

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 but this time they were beaten

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 and then released.

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 And then in Acts 7,

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 we had the first martyr.

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 Stephen was killed

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 for bearing witness to Jesus' name.

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 And then now here in Acts 12, 1 to 2,

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 the stake is raised even higher,

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 where the punishment,

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 at least with Stephen's death,

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 the martyrdom was caused by mob violence, right?

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 They did have the approval

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 of the Jewish authorities,

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 but the Jewish authorities

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 didn't have the legal,

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 political right

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 to mete out, you know,

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 capital sentences.

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 And so it was a mob action, really.

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 But here now,

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 person with the authority

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 to execute people,

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 King Herod,

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 is now persecuting Christians,

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 and he kills Apostle James.

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 So in the book of Acts,

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 we're seeing that increasingly,

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 it's increasingly costly

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 to be a follower

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 and witness of Jesus.

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 And that raises a question for us,

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 when the cost is high,

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 how do we find the courage

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 to bear witness to Jesus?

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 This passage teaches us

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 that we can proclaim the gospel

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 with confidence

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 because God is with us

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 and His word is unstoppable.

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 There's a reason why

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 I read the passage

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 starting in chapter 11,

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 verse 27,

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 instead of beginning

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 in chapter 12,

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 because this whole passage

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 has a roughly chiastic structure.

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 And by chiasm,

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 I mean that it has

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 matching elements

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 on each side,

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 each half of the passage,

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 beginning and the end match,

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 and then the next two elements

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 close to each other match

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 until it gets to the middle element,

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 which stands by itself.

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 And so you can kind of see that

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 in the slide

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 that I prepared for you.

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 So at first,

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 God speaks through His prophet

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 and provides for His people.

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 In the end,

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 at the end of the passage,

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 Herod does not speak for God

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 and does not provide

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 for His people.

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 You see that Herod kills James,

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 but then at the end,

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 Herod ends up killing

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 his own men.

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 Herod puts Peter in prison,

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 but then the Lord

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 rescues Peter from prison.

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 The church prays for Peter,

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 and then church is praying

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 for Peter again,

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 and then those two accounts

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 of the church in prayer

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 kind of envelops

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 the miraculous deliverance

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 of Peter from prison.

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 I'm going to roughly

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 follow that structure,

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 but I'll also use this outline

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 to talk first of how,

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 why we can have confidence

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 to proclaim the gospel,

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 and that's because God has

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 the power to provide for us,

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 and second,

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 because God has the power

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 of life and death,

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 and thirdly,

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 because God has the power

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 to deliver us.

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 And that's why we can have

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 the confidence

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 to proclaim the gospel.

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 So let's first look at

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 how God provides for us.

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 I'll be brief on my comments here

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 because I already preached

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 on this last week,

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 11, 27 to 30,

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 but we see God speak

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 through His prophet Agabus

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 to warn them ahead of time

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 of a coming famine

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 so that the church

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 can be prepared

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 and they can have food,

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 so that the church in Antioch,

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 which is better off,

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 is alerted to this famine

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 that's coming,

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 and then they're able

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 to send relief

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 to the poorer believers

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 in Jerusalem.

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 Now, in contrast,

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 look at what happens

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 in verse 20.

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 Now, Herod was angry

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 with the people

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 of Tyre and Sidon,

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 and they came to him

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 with one accord.

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 And having persuaded Blastus,

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 the king's chamberlain,

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 they asked for peace

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 because their country

00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:17.599
 depended on the king's country

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 for food.

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 The Herod here

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 that's in view

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 is not Herod I,

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 popularly known

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 as Herod the Great,

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 who is responsible

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 for the massacre

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 of the innocents

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 at the time

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 of Jesus' birth.

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 That's accounted

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 in Matthew 2.

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 And he's also not

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 Herod Antipas,

00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.600
 who was the son

00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.840
 of Herod the Great.

00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:37.860
 He was the Tetrarch

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.480
 of Galilee.

00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.379
 The Herod that you encounter

00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.399
 through most of the Gospels

00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:42.639
 is Herod Antipas.

00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.019
 But this Herod

00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:44.920
 is a different Herod.

00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:45.440
 It's confusing

00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.600
 why they're all named Herod.

00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:47.800
 But this one

00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:49.259
 is Herod Agrippa I.

00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.659
 He is the grandson

00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.519
 of Herod the Great

00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.500
 and a nephew

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.800
 of Herod Antipas.

00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:57.219
 This Herod was angry

00:12:57.219 --> 00:12:57.839
 with the people

00:12:57.839 --> 00:12:58.779
 of Tyre and Sidon.

00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:00.219
 We don't know why,

00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:00.659
 but there was

00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.879
 some kind of dispute,

00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:02.659
 a conflict,

00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.599
 between the citizens

00:13:03.599 --> 00:13:04.539
 of Tyre and Sidon

00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.379
 and Herod.

00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.759
 And because of this

00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.159
 loss of peace

00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:09.799
 between them,

00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.899
 Herod was angry,

00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.399
 and it seems like

00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.899
 he deprived

00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.359
 the people

00:13:14.359 --> 00:13:15.439
 of Tyre and Sidon

00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:16.339
 of the food

00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:17.659
 they usually depended on

00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.500
 from his country.

00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.399
 So he cut off

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.939
 probably some trade supplies

00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:23.520
 or maybe he's

00:13:23.520 --> 00:13:24.760
 imposing an embargo

00:13:24.760 --> 00:13:25.100
 on them.

00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.140
 They're not getting

00:13:26.140 --> 00:13:27.280
 the food that they need.

00:13:28.380 --> 00:13:28.940
 And so this is

00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:29.940
 in sharp contrast

00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:30.380
 from the way

00:13:30.380 --> 00:13:31.220
 God provides

00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:31.840
 for his people

00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.760
 that we saw earlier

00:13:32.760 --> 00:13:34.020
 in chapter 11.

00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:35.080
 God,

00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.360
 who knows all the things,

00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.180
 past, present,

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.780
 and future,

00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:39.080
 prepares his people

00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.480
 for even the famine

00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.260
 that's coming

00:13:41.260 --> 00:13:42.040
 in the future

00:13:42.040 --> 00:13:43.580
 so that they might

00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:44.180
 have food,

00:13:44.260 --> 00:13:45.100
 they might never know,

00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:45.580
 lack.

00:13:45.780 --> 00:13:46.500
 But here,

00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.040
 Herod,

00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.520
 in chapter 12,

00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.100
 verse 20,

00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:50.180
 is not only blissfully

00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.379
 unaware of the famine

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.019
 that is coming,

00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:53.099
 even now,

00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.059
 before the famine,

00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.879
 he intentionally

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.479
 deprives his people,

00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:56.879
 people who are

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.699
 dependent on him,

00:13:58.219 --> 00:13:58.799
 of food.

00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:01.839
 The resulting scarcity

00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:02.399
 of food

00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.500
 was unbearable

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:03.979
 for the people

00:14:03.979 --> 00:14:04.879
 of Tyre and Sidon,

00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:06.179
 and so they send

00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:07.159
 a delegation

00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:09.279
 to persuade Herod.

00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.859
 And they recruit

00:14:10.859 --> 00:14:11.739
 Blastus,

00:14:12.099 --> 00:14:13.239
 Herod's chamberlain.

00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:15.439
 Chamberlain is the person

00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:16.319
 who is in charge

00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:17.559
 of the king's bedchambers,

00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.079
 so that means

00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:19.059
 he is not only

00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:20.099
 trusted,

00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:20.739
 really,

00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.479
 Herod probably

00:14:21.479 --> 00:14:21.979
 trusted him

00:14:21.979 --> 00:14:22.519
 with his life,

00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:24.419
 but also he had

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:26.000
 direct access to Herod.

00:14:26.359 --> 00:14:26.959
 So he's a really

00:14:26.959 --> 00:14:27.739
 good person to have

00:14:27.739 --> 00:14:28.319
 as your advocate,

00:14:28.459 --> 00:14:29.339
 and so they get him

00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:30.059
 on their side,

00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.139
 and in order to try

00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.299
 to plead with Herod

00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:34.159
 to provide food

00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:34.759
 for them again.

00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.039
 It seems that

00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.679
 their appeal

00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.699
 successfully

00:14:38.699 --> 00:14:40.119
 mollified Herod

00:14:40.119 --> 00:14:41.079
 because it says

00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.899
 in verse 21

00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.699
 that on an appointed day,

00:14:43.839 --> 00:14:44.379
 Herod put on

00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.239
 his royal robes,

00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:45.839
 took his seat

00:14:45.839 --> 00:14:46.439
 upon the throne,

00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:46.959
 and delivered

00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:48.199
 an oration to them.

00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.960
 So it seems like

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:51.140
 given the crowd's

00:14:51.140 --> 00:14:52.120
 flattering response

00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:53.440
 to him as he's speaking,

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.500
 it was likely

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.120
 that he was making

00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.220
 a public announcement

00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:56.940
 of the settlement

00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.780
 that they had reached.

00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.300
 And he was likely

00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:00.300
 exalting himself

00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:01.780
 as this generous patron

00:15:01.780 --> 00:15:02.940
 of the people

00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.879
 of Tyre and Sidon.

00:15:05.160 --> 00:15:06.040
 And the people

00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.580
 in the audience

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.920
 knew that Herod

00:15:07.920 --> 00:15:10.360
 was a petulant ruler,

00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:11.640
 self-absorbed,

00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:13.240
 and easily offended,

00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:15.140
 and so they indulged him

00:15:15.140 --> 00:15:15.780
 with flattery

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.419
 in verse 22.

00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.559
 They were shouting,

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.980
 the voice of a God

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.199
 and not of a man.

00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:24.740
 This too forms

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.259
 a contrast

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.399
 with what we saw

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.019
 the account

00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.959
 in chapter 11,

00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.799
 27 to 30,

00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.019
 their prophet Agabus.

00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:31.899
 It says in chapter 11,

00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.539
 verse 28,

00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:34.019
 spoke by the Spirit.

00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.220
 Later,

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.419
 in chapter 21,

00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.339
 verse 11 again,

00:15:38.459 --> 00:15:38.879
 it says,

00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.639
 Agabus says,

00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:42.539
 thus says the Holy Spirit.

00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:45.659
 Agabus is a true prophet

00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:47.679
 who faithfully relays

00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:50.360
 only what God really says.

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.519
 He does not speak for himself.

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.860
 He is a servant.

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.919
 He is a humble herald,

00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.159
 a mere messenger

00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.860
 of what God has to say.

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.099
 Herod, on the other hand,

00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.000
 is a claim to be

00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:06.079
 something more than that.

00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:08.179
 People flatter his ego

00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.599
 by saying that his voice

00:16:09.599 --> 00:16:10.459
 is divine,

00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.639
 not human.

00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.980
 And at this point,

00:16:14.099 --> 00:16:15.559
 Herod should have been alarmed

00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:17.939
 by such blasphemous praise.

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.839
 He should have vigorously

00:16:20.839 --> 00:16:21.719
 denied the claim

00:16:21.719 --> 00:16:22.699
 and insisted that

00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.480
 he is only a man.

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.959
 If you remember in Acts 10,

00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:28.219
 when Peter first encounters Cornelius,

00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:28.539
 remember,

00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:31.240
 Cornelius falls to the ground

00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.639
 and starts worshiping Peter

00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.759
 because he doesn't know any better.

00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:36.039
 And then Peter stops Cornelius

00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:36.419
 and says,

00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.159
 Stand up,

00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:38.759
 I too am a man.

00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:41.419
 That's what Herod should have said.

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:43.120
 He should have hushed the crowd

00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.439
 saying,

00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:44.439
 I am only a man,

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.779
 but Herod doesn't do that.

00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:49.079
 God's swift judgment of Herod

00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.979
 shows us that in fact,

00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.579
 Herod relished

00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.979
 the crowd's

00:16:53.979 --> 00:16:54.919
 blasphemous praise.

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:59.299
 He is basking in his undeserved glory.

00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:04.940
 And in the heart,

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.879
 in the heart of hearts

00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:07.259
 of all every sinner,

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.940
 there's a desire to be God,

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.680
 to receive,

00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:12.159
 steal his glory for themselves.

00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:15.799
 And so it says in verse 23,

00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.240
 Immediately an angel of the Lord

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.079
 struck him down

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:20.859
 because he did not give God the glory.

00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.759
 And he was eaten by worms

00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.720
 and breathed his last.

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.399
 Eaten by worms is a phrase,

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.359
 it's not a technical,

00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.379
 medical description,

00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:30.080
 but it does seem to suggest

00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:31.660
 some kind of parasite

00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:33.240
 that kills him.

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:36.560
 And this account is actually,

00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:38.140
 there's a fascinating corroboration

00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:38.900
 of this account

00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:41.020
 in another ancient source.

00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:43.340
 There's a Roman Jewish historian

00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.240
 named Josephus

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.280
 who was a contemporary

00:17:45.280 --> 00:17:46.400
 of Herod Agrippa.

00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:48.580
 And he writes

00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:49.860
 in his historical work,

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.620
 Antiquities,

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.080
 of this account.

00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:53.500
 And this is what he says

00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.340
 in that account.

00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.620
 He says,

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.260
 Herod put on a garment

00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.660
 made wholly of silver,

00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.539
 of a truly wonderful texture,

00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.299
 and came into theater

00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.079
 early in the morning.

00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.359
 There the silver of his garment

00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.099
 being illuminated

00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:06.319
 by the fresh reflection

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.319
 of the sun's rays

00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.920
 shone out in a wonderful manner,

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.779
 and was so resplendent

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.680
 as to spread awe

00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.579
 over those that looked

00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.579
 intently upon him.

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:14.920
 Presently,

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.160
 his flatterers cried out

00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:17.640
 that one from one place

00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.480
 and another from another,

00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.440
 though not for his good,

00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:21.759
 that he was a God.

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.200
 And they added,

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.319
 Be thou merciful to us,

00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.079
 for although we have

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.460
 hitherto reverenced thee

00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.240
 only as a man,

00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.900
 yet shall we henceforth

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:31.039
 own thee as superior

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.119
 to mortal nature.

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.400
 Upon this,

00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.859
 the king neither rebuked them

00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.519
 nor rejected

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.819
 their impious flattery,

00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:39.799
 but shortly afterward,

00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.920
 a severe pain arose

00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.920
 in his belly,

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.079
 striking with the most

00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.140
 violent intensity.

00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.599
 He therefore looked

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.339
 upon his friends

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.799
 and said,

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.680
 I, whom you call a God,

00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.799
 am commanded presently

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.919
 to depart this life,

00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.480
 while providence thus

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.879
 reproves the lying words

00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:56.039
 you just now said to me.

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.680
 And I, who was by you

00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.419
 called immortal,

00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.220
 am immediately

00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.099
 to be hurried away

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.700
 by death.

00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.899
 It's a fascinating,

00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:04.619
 corroborating historical account.

00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:05.740
 Herod,

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:07.460
 despite his pretensions,

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.680
 despite his receiving

00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.159
 that glory

00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:10.960
 that he didn't deserve,

00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.299
 is not God,

00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.779
 and so God puts him

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.619
 in his place

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.619
 by reminding him

00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.680
 of his mortality.

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.659
 English pastor,

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.559
 20th century English

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.639
 Pastor John Stott

00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:22.679
 comments on this passage

00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:23.119
 this way.

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.359
 He says,

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:25.179
 Tyrants may be permitted

00:19:25.179 --> 00:19:25.879
 for a time

00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:27.379
 to boast and bluster,

00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.980
 oppressing the church

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.039
 and hindering the spread

00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.579
 of the gospel,

00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:32.759
 but they will not last.

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.039
 In the end,

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.779
 their empire will be broken

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.960
 and their pride abased.

00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.599
 And isn't this true?

00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.159
 Throughout history,

00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:42.480
 many have tried

00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.599
 to persecute the church,

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.399
 many have tried

00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:45.639
 to stamp out the gospel,

00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:47.220
 but the gospel,

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.440
 still proclaimed

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.559
 all throughout the world.

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.660
 The church still stands

00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.740
 all throughout the world

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.980
 while those empires

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.720
 have fallen.

00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.480
 This is,

00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:00.480
 and even though

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.860
 the people of Tyre and Sidon

00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.900
 had hoped that Herod

00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.259
 would be able

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.259
 to provide for them,

00:20:05.100 --> 00:20:06.420
 he actually ends up

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.019
 not being able

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.799
 to provide for them

00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.820
 despite the plans

00:20:08.820 --> 00:20:09.420
 that he had made

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.019
 to do so

00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.120
 because he dies

00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.820
 prematurely.

00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:15.740
 This is precisely why

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.279
 in Psalm 146,

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.279
 we are enjoined

00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.939
 not to put our trust

00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:21.240
 in earthly rulers.

00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.279
 It says,

00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.559
 Put not your trust

00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.139
 in princes,

00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.500
 in a son of man

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.419
 in whom there is

00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:28.399
 no salvation.

00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:30.679
 When his breath departs,

00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.759
 he returns to the earth.

00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.299
 On that very day,

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.419
 his plans perish.

00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:37.059
 Herod made plans

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.159
 to supply food

00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.599
 for Tyre and Sidon,

00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.679
 but his plans

00:20:40.679 --> 00:20:41.899
 were all for naught

00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.540
 because his plans

00:20:43.540 --> 00:20:44.240
 perished

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:46.140
 the very day he died

00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:47.840
 when his breath departed.

00:20:49.780 --> 00:20:51.400
 Where is your trust?

00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:54.180
 Is your trust

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.140
 in mortal man

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.620
 or in the immortal God?

00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:00.140
 We can easily look

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:01.620
 to people with power

00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.160
 in the world

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.400
 to provide for us,

00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.580
 to look out for us,

00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.860
 to protect us.

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.519
 We can look to our bosses

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.560
 or employers.

00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.720
 We can look to politicians.

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:14.620
 We can look to our spouses even.

00:21:16.080 --> 00:21:17.080
 Some people even look

00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:17.700
 to celebrities

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.840
 who appear to represent us.

00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.820
 But our trust

00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:24.280
 must ultimately rest

00:21:24.280 --> 00:21:25.220
 on God,

00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.480
 not on man.

00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:35.380
 Why do we act like orphans

00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:38.120
 begging for food

00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:38.920
 from strangers

00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.819
 when we have

00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.519
 a Heavenly Father

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.500
 who provides for us?

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.500
 If your ultimate trust

00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.180
 is in man,

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.279
 you will always be insecure.

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.140
 You will find yourself

00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:54.000
 flattering people

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.680
 whom you perceive

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.019
 to have power over you

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.000
 because you want

00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.379
 to be on their good side.

00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.740
 You will be unable

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.279
 ultimately to stand up

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.960
 to them with God's truth

00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.400
 because you are

00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.359
 their servant,

00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:07.220
 not God's servant.

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:12.000
 Herod was a king

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.319
 and therefore he did have

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.160
 a lot of power

00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.900
 and authority.

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.200
 But the Christians

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.359
 back then understood

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.859
 that even Herod

00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.379
 could do nothing

00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.960
 outside of God's authority

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.440
 and power.

00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.440
 God's servant

00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.240
 and so they were able

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.420
 to proclaim the gospel

00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.220
 with confidence

00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.660
 because their ultimate trust

00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.539
 was in God

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.680
 and not in man.

00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.220
 And let's look at

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.700
 another contrast,

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.000
 chapter 12,

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.880
 verses 1 to 3

00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:39.539
 and chapter 12,

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.700
 verses 18 to 19.

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.100
 In verses 1 to 3,

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.980
 Herod kills

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.900
 Apostle James,

00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.519
 the one of the twelve,

00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:48.140
 the brother of John.

00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.360
 He says,

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.619
 About that time,

00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.259
 Herod the king

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.599
 laid violent hands

00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.379
 on some who belonged

00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:53.959
 to the church.

00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:55.539
 He killed James,

00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.279
 the brother of John,

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.819
 with the sword

00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.439
 and when he saw

00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:58.359
 that it pleased the Jews,

00:22:58.459 --> 00:22:59.359
 he proceeded to arrest

00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.919
 Peter also.

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.719
 This was during the days

00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.579
 of unleavened bread.

00:23:03.719 --> 00:23:04.639
 Killed with the sword

00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.779
 likely means that

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.779
 James was beheaded,

00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.839
 which was the customary way

00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.419
 of executing

00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:09.939
 with the sword

00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:10.439
 at the time.

00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.240
 And when Herod saw

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.799
 that this pleased the Jews,

00:23:13.959 --> 00:23:15.299
 he was eager

00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.779
 to please his constituency

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.160
 and so during

00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.740
 the high Jewish feast

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.759
 of Passover,

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.460
 the feast of unleavened bread,

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:24.379
 he persecutes the church

00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:25.240
 as a way of

00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.420
 doing a favor

00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.039
 to the Jews.

00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:30.639
 The death of Apostle James

00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.660
 shows us that

00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.920
 God at times

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.920
 not only allows

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:35.039
 his saints to suffer,

00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.539
 he also at times

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.539
 allows them to be killed.

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.519
 The ultimate suffering.

00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:43.139
 But this is not because

00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.099
 God is powerless

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.339
 to deliver his saints.

00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:47.519
 As God's dramatic

00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.599
 rescue of Peter shows,

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.859
 he is more than capable

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.599
 of rescuing

00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.859
 anyone he wishes.

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.799
 The question is not

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.319
 whether or not

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.899
 he is able,

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.099
 the question is

00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:57.019
 whether he is willing.

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.500
 It may, in fact,

00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.119
 be God's will

00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.259
 that we suffer

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.879
 and die for him.

00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.759
 Revelation chapter 6,

00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.359
 verse 11,

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.079
 tells us that

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.319
 the end of the world

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.959
 as we know it

00:24:09.959 --> 00:24:10.839
 will not come

00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.599
 until,

00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.480
 quote,

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.619
 until the number

00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.779
 of their fellow servants

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.619
 and their brothers

00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.660
 should be complete,

00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:19.000
 who were to be killed

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.299
 as they themselves

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.799
 had been.

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.399
 God has ordained

00:24:24.399 --> 00:24:25.339
 that a specific,

00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.299
 although to us

00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:26.799
 unknown,

00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:28.500
 number of Christian

00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.299
 martyrs

00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.579
 must be filled up

00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.940
 before the arrival

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.680
 of the new heavens

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.160
 and the earth.

00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.180
 That's why

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.059
 the second century

00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:39.399
 Christian minister,

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.079
 Tertullian,

00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:41.559
 apologist Tertullian,

00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:44.139
 put it this way,

00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.599
 the blood of the martyrs

00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.279
 is the seed

00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.899
 of the church.

00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:51.039
 This is because

00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.339
 God has called us

00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:52.759
 Christians

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.720
 to follow

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.500
 in the footsteps

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.339
 of Jesus

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:57.119
 because our Savior,

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.879
 our King,

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.720
 our Lord

00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.200
 died for us.

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.839
 He suffered

00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.779
 and died.

00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.819
 1 Peter chapter 2,

00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:05.480
 verse 21,

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.640
 for to this

00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.640
 you have been called

00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:10.720
 because Christ

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.740
 also suffered

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.240
 for you,

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:12.740
 leaving you

00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.599
 an example

00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.980
 so that you

00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.880
 might follow

00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.559
 in His steps.

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.640
 It's not a coincidence

00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.579
 that James

00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.240
 is killed

00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.039
 during the Feast

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.839
 of Unleavened Bread.

00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:25.880
 Remember,

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.839
 who else was killed

00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.440
 during the Feast

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.120
 of Unleavened Bread?

00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.480
 Jesus was killed

00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:32.059
 during the Feast

00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.140
 of Unleavened Bread.

00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.280
 Jesus,

00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.120
 the ultimate Passover lamb,

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.240
 who died

00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.080
 for our sake

00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:39.300
 to receive the penalty

00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:40.980
 for our sins

00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.460
 and to grant us

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.240
 full remission

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.880
 of our sins

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.560
 so that we

00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.340
 who deserved

00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.580
 eternal death

00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.560
 and condemnation

00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:49.020
 might be saved

00:25:49.020 --> 00:25:49.700
 because of Him

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.820
 and have eternal life.

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.460
 Jesus died

00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:56.140
 on Passover,

00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.780
 during the Feast

00:25:57.780 --> 00:25:58.360
 of the Passover.

00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.620
 And then He was raised

00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.140
 from the dead

00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.700
 to prove

00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.880
 that His sacrifice

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.580
 on our behalf

00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:04.360
 had been accepted

00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:05.080
 by the Father,

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.279
 that our sins

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.220
 had been atoned for,

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.220
 that we have

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.440
 resurrection life

00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.460
 guaranteed to us

00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.620
 in Jesus.

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.819
 And if you want

00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.380
 to participate

00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.259
 in that victorious

00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.819
 resurrection,

00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:19.140
 you must go

00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.759
 through the path

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.259
 of suffering,

00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.580
 through the path

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.400
 of discipleship.

00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.279
 Every Christian

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.259
 thereafter

00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.759
 is called by God

00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.279
 to follow

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.900
 in the footsteps

00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:31.059
 of a suffering Savior.

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:34.220
 remember what Jesus

00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.480
 said,

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.140
 if anyone

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.740
 would come

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.380
 after me,

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.960
 he must

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.680
 pick up his cross.

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.920
 He must deny himself,

00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.940
 take up his cross

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.640
 and follow me.

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.500
 Jesus didn't say,

00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.259
 take up

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.960
 his scepter

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.720
 and follow me.

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.180
 He said,

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.440
 take up his cross

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.779
 and follow me.

00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:57.299
 the cross entails

00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.039
 suffering.

00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.460
 The cross entails

00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.099
 submission,

00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:00.599
 utter,

00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.859
 total submission

00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.500
 to the will

00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.160
 of our Master.

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.759
 The cross entails

00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.180
 death to self,

00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:08.539
 to our selfish ambitions,

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.819
 to our dreams,

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.000
 selfish desires.

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.440
 It requires

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.339
 death to self.

00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.980
 Dietrich Bonhoeffer

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.599
 puts it this way

00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:17.980
 in his book,

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.339
 The Cost of Discipleship,

00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.679
 the cross is laid

00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.619
 on every Christian.

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.399
 The first Christ

00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.059
 suffering which

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.919
 every man must

00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.720
 experience is the

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.659
 call to abandon

00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.299
 the attachments

00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.059
 of this world.

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.679
 It is that dying

00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.599
 of the old man

00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.419
 which is the result

00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:32.139
 of his encounter

00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.740
 with Christ.

00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:34.039
 As we embark

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.079
 upon discipleship,

00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:35.779
 we surrender

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.759
 ourselves to Christ

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.459
 in union with

00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:37.959
 his death.

00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.379
 We give over

00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.539
 our lives to death.

00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.159
 Thus it begins,

00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.179
 the cross is not

00:27:43.179 --> 00:27:43.980
 the terrible end

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.720
 to an otherwise

00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.779
 God-fearing and happy

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.159
 life,

00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.600
 but it meets us

00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.560
 at the beginning

00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.340
 of our communion

00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.060
 with Christ.

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.620
 When Christ

00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.540
 calls a man,

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:54.060
 he bids him

00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:55.540
 come and die.

00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.460
 This is why

00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.360
 Christians need

00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.160
 not fear death.

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.880
 Why?

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.800
 Because we have

00:28:04.800 --> 00:28:05.740
 already died.

00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.580
 We have already

00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:09.519
 died with Christ.

00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.420
 We have died

00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.080
 to ourselves

00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:12.000
 and our desires.

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.140
 We have died

00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.740
 to the world.

00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.940
 We are completely

00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.600
 resigned to the

00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.340
 will of our Master.

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.799
 I heard recently

00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.660
 that during one

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:24.100
 of the oral exams

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:25.539
 for pastoral candidates

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.400
 within our denomination,

00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.920
 they had the chance

00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:30.320
 to test a candidate

00:28:30.320 --> 00:28:30.940
 from India

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.980
 who was trying

00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.500
 to be ordained

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.220
 throughout the denomination.

00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.519
 And one of the questions

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.080
 is a question

00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:37.779
 about baptism.

00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.080
 What is the meaning?

00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.980
 What is the significance

00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.759
 of baptism?

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.180
 What is that for you?

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.740
 And usually,

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.019
 you know,

00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.600
 you get various

00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.659
 theological answers,

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.699
 biblical answers.

00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.219
 Well, it means

00:28:48.219 --> 00:28:48.839
 you participate

00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:49.779
 in Christ's death

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.279
 and resurrection.

00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:53.319
 In resurrection,

00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.779
 you are cleansed

00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.439
 from your sins.

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.319
 You have new life.

00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.240
 But this man

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.240
 talked about

00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.759
 all of that,

00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.339
 but then he also

00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:00.919
 talked about

00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:01.939
 the actual experience

00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:02.619
 of getting baptized

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.419
 where he's from

00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:03.839
 in India.

00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.119
 So if you want

00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.599
 to be baptized

00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.159
 in India,

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.219
 the whole way

00:29:07.219 --> 00:29:07.819
 to the river,

00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.799
 you're getting mocked,

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.559
 sped on,

00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.779
 and you're being stoned,

00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:12.240
 literally,

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.659
 by your neighbors,

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.519
 sometimes,

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.380
 by your friends

00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:16.360
 and family members.

00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.759
 That's the only way

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.519
 you get baptized

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.100
 and say,

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.900
 I'm a Christian

00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.240
 in that place.

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.800
 That's what that

00:29:28.800 --> 00:29:29.740
 means for him.

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.519
 It means,

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.660
 I die to the world.

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.540
 I die to myself.

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.660
 I am now Christ's.

00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.259
 Christ's.

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.500
 In the U.S.,

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.040
 we enjoy

00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:43.420
 great religious freedom.

00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.540
 So unlike many parts

00:29:45.540 --> 00:29:46.000
 of the world

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.040
 where Christians

00:29:47.040 --> 00:29:48.519
 are regularly persecuted

00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.080
 and killed

00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:49.740
 for their faith,

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.380
 we do not need

00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.300
 to risk our lives

00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:52.920
 to bear witness

00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.340
 to Jesus.

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.400
 But some of us

00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:57.920
 still fear

00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.480
 other forms

00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.060
 of persecution,

00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.500
 don't we?

00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:03.980
 we fear

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.440
 the death

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.380
 of our popularity.

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.099
 We fear

00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.640
 the death

00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.599
 of our reputation.

00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.920
 We fear

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.440
 the death

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.279
 of our careers.

00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.099
 We fear

00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.559
 the death

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.319
 of our friendships.

00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.619
 We fear

00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.500
 the repercussions

00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.740
 of proclaiming Jesus

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.779
 which is increasingly

00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.480
 looked at

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.220
 with suspicion

00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.619
 and even contempt.

00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.279
 But we must

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.940
 not forget

00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.940
 that when Christ

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.119
 calls a man

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.399
 he bids him

00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:31.479
 come and die.

00:30:35.919 --> 00:30:36.879
 And it's when

00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.619
 we recognize

00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.079
 that we have

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.159
 died with Christ,

00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:40.359
 it's only then

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.639
 we can proclaim

00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.759
 the gospel

00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:43.679
 with confidence.

00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:48.559
 In some ways,

00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.419
 I think the lack

00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.059
 of persecution

00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:50.759
 has hurt

00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.819
 the church

00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.719
 in the West.

00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:55.219
 When Christianity

00:30:55.219 --> 00:30:55.879
 is dominant

00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.619
 in a society,

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.559
 some people become

00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.799
 Christians in name only.

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.539
 for the sake of comfort

00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.459
 and acceptance,

00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:02.659
 respectability.

00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.599
 And then people

00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:05.439
 start to aspire

00:31:05.439 --> 00:31:06.500
 to Christian leadership

00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.319
 for the sake of

00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.279
 power and prestige.

00:31:10.459 --> 00:31:11.899
 But under persecution,

00:31:11.899 --> 00:31:13.619
 there is nothing romantic

00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.979
 about being a Christian.

00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.599
 Nothing glitzy

00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.779
 about being a Christian

00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.859
 leader or a preacher

00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.619
 or a pastor.

00:31:20.919 --> 00:31:21.519
 Look at how

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.319
 James and Peter

00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:22.839
 are treated.

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.939
 The leaders of the church

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.039
 are singled out

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.720
 to be slaughtered.

00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:30.160
 And amidst the fire

00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:31.420
 of that kind of persecution,

00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.940
 only true Christians

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:34.279
 answer the call

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.779
 of Christ

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.559
 to come and die.

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.279
 And it's when

00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:41.880
 we recognize

00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.820
 that God holds

00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:43.559
 the power of life

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.160
 and death

00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:45.440
 that we can proclaim

00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:45.940
 the gospel

00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.600
 with confidence.

00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:47.880
 Please read

00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:49.059
 verses 18 to 19

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.500
 with me.

00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:49.779
 It says,

00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:51.180
 Now when they came,

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.319
 there was no little

00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:53.079
 disturbance among

00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.619
 the soldiers

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.519
 over what had become

00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.019
 of Peter.

00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.319
 And after Herod

00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.099
 searched for him

00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:58.240
 and did not find him,

00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:59.399
 he examined the sentries

00:31:59.399 --> 00:31:59.940
 in order that

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:01.339
 they should be put to death.

00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:03.319
 Then he went down

00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:04.559
 from Judea to Caesarea

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.899
 and spent time there.

00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:07.899
 Herod originally

00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:09.000
 wanted to put

00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:10.019
 Peter to death

00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:12.379
 with great fanfare,

00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:14.859
 with his Jewish

00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:16.000
 constituency watching.

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:18.019
 But God thwarted

00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.720
 his plans

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.700
 by rescuing

00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.920
 Peter from prison

00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.779
 and now Herod

00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.420
 is so angry

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.160
 that he orders

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.220
 the guards

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:26.559
 that were supposed

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.480
 to watch Peter,

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.319
 he orders them

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.079
 to be put to death.

00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:31.980
 Herod,

00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.859
 as we saw earlier,

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.880
 is not only able

00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.559
 to save himself

00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.359
 from death,

00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:37.099
 but also vengefully

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:38.619
 kills his own men.

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.640
 James' death,

00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:43.000
 Peter's deliverance,

00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:44.039
 and Herod's death

00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:45.259
 all show us

00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:47.019
 that power of life

00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.680
 and death

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.819
 ultimately lies

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.460
 with the Lord.

00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.879
 No one

00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:55.059
 can take your life

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.379
 one second

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.640
 sooner than God

00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:58.519
 has ordained it.

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.539
 No one.

00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.759
 And no one

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:05.220
 can extend your life

00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:06.619
 one second

00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.839
 longer than God

00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.819
 has ordained it.

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.539
 Every one of our days

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.599
 written in the book,

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:19.119
 we can proclaim

00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.639
 the gospel

00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:20.559
 with confidence

00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.439
 without fear

00:33:21.439 --> 00:33:22.039
 of what people

00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.159
 can do to us

00:33:23.159 --> 00:33:25.319
 if we recognize

00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:26.079
 that God

00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:26.980
 holds the power

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.759
 of life and death.

00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.559
 Third,

00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.419
 God has the power

00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:32.119
 to deliver us.

00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:33.179
 This is the middle section.

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.699
 In verse 17,

00:33:37.199 --> 00:33:37.480
 well,

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:38.139
 in verse 4,

00:33:38.219 --> 00:33:38.980
 we saw how Herod

00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.179
 put Peter in prison,

00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:41.460
 and then verse 17

00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.279
 forms a contrast

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.740
 with that.

00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.140
 It says,

00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:44.820
 the Lord had brought

00:33:44.820 --> 00:33:45.580
 him out of prison.

00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.700
 Peter recounts

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.580
 how the Lord Jesus

00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:48.460
 brought him out of prison.

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.120
 And so once again,

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.799
 this structure highlights

00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:53.340
 the powerlessness

00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:54.440
 of Herod on the one hand

00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.980
 and the power of God

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.620
 on the other.

00:33:57.360 --> 00:33:58.380
 How do we access

00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.880
 such power from God?

00:34:01.320 --> 00:34:02.600
 The dramatic account

00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:03.740
 of Peter's deliverance

00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:05.299
 is bracketed

00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.900
 by the account

00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:08.099
 of church praying.

00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:09.839
 Look at verse 5.

00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.779
 So Peter was kept

00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:11.259
 in prison,

00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:12.900
 but earnest prayer

00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.819
 for him was made

00:34:13.819 --> 00:34:14.880
 to God by the church.

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:17.119
 That verse is matched

00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.839
 by verse 12.

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.960
 When he realized this,

00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.779
 he went to the house

00:34:19.779 --> 00:34:20.119
 of Mary,

00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.860
 the mother of John,

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.360
 whose other name

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.880
 was Mark,

00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:23.119
 where many were gathered

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.599
 together and were praying.

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:28.779
 The church that has power

00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:30.279
 is a church that prays.

00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:34.099
 Our power comes

00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:35.059
 not from ourselves,

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:35.960
 but from God,

00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.559
 which is why

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.000
 the only way we access

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:39.360
 power is through prayer.

00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.980
 Whatever threats

00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:46.559
 we face in this world,

00:34:47.759 --> 00:34:49.000
 whether it's disease

00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:50.179
 or death

00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.699
 or the devil himself,

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.759
 we must remember

00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:55.299
 that God has the power

00:34:55.299 --> 00:34:56.139
 to deliver us.

00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:59.380
 Only then can we proclaim

00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:00.380
 the gospel with confidence.

00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:03.039
 I mean,

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.139
 it's almost comical

00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:05.480
 the way Peter is delivered.

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:07.039
 Look at verse 12,

00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:09.199
 verse 6, sorry.

00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:11.639
 I mean,

00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.619
 the odds are totally

00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:13.420
 stacked against

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.400
 Peter's deliverance,

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:14.760
 right?

00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.000
 I mean,

00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.039
 if there were betting odds

00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.679
 for whether he was going

00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:17.480
 to get freed or not,

00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:19.019
 nobody would be betting

00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.039
 for him getting freed

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.900
 from this situation.

00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:22.199
 Peter was sleeping.

00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:23.440
 He's sleeping

00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.760
 between two soldiers,

00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.500
 bound with two chains,

00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.480
 two D soldiers,

00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:30.119
 and centuries before the door

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:31.099
 were guarding the prison.

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:32.900
 So he's chained

00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:34.299
 literally to the soldiers

00:35:34.299 --> 00:35:34.900
 and he's sleeping

00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.639
 between them

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:37.099
 and there are more soldiers

00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:37.980
 guarding the gates.

00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:40.179
 Even if they fell asleep,

00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:40.759
 he would not be able

00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:41.199
 to get away.

00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:41.860
 I mean,

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.739
 that's the situation.

00:35:43.799 --> 00:35:45.179
 But this is no obstacle

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:46.279
 to God Almighty

00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:47.639
 and so he sends an angel

00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.699
 to wake up Peter

00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:50.059
 and of course,

00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:51.400
 the guards have no idea

00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.000
 what's happening

00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.360
 and then the chains

00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:54.699
 by themselves

00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:56.079
 fall off Peter's hands.

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.000
 He walks out

00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.579
 of the prison.

00:35:57.579 --> 00:36:00.199
 The guards are nowhere

00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:00.779
 to be seen

00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:02.139
 and then when Peter

00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.759
 gets out,

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.840
 the door,

00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.739
 the iron gate

00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.819
 that you need the key

00:36:05.819 --> 00:36:06.360
 to open,

00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:07.739
 opens by itself.

00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:13.739
 And in this passage,

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.659
 the word angel

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:17.099
 is repeated again and again

00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:17.900
 five times

00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:19.340
 because it's trying

00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:20.279
 to show us

00:36:20.279 --> 00:36:22.539
 God's abiding presence

00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.199
 with Peter

00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:23.819
 in the midst

00:36:23.819 --> 00:36:25.059
 of his confinement.

00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:27.380
 An angel is God's

00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:28.220
 emissary,

00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.220
 messenger of God,

00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:30.180
 a representative

00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:30.980
 of God.

00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.340
 The presence

00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:32.960
 of the angel

00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.800
 represents the presence

00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.519
 of God himself

00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:35.980
 with Peter

00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.860
 and that's why

00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.079
 a light shines

00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.640
 in the cells

00:36:38.640 --> 00:36:40.640
 when the angel appears.

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.940
 The God of light

00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:42.619
 in whom there is

00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:43.800
 no darkness at all

00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.800
 is present

00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:45.599
 with Peter.

00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.820
 Even in the darkness

00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.420
 of prison,

00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:49.160
 there is light

00:36:49.160 --> 00:36:49.880
 because God

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.519
 is with him.

00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.400
 Even in the loneliness

00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:53.000
 of prison,

00:36:53.160 --> 00:36:54.220
 Peter has company

00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.380
 because God

00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.519
 is with him.

00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:58.159
 Even in the midst

00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:58.900
 of seemingly

00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:00.059
 certain doom,

00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:01.880
 Peter has hope

00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:03.000
 because God

00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.880
 is with him.

00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:06.840
 Brothers and sisters,

00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.659
 do you really

00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:08.440
 know,

00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:10.300
 believe,

00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.320
 that God

00:37:11.320 --> 00:37:12.239
 is with you?

00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.840
 I know some of you

00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:16.679
 are experiencing

00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.679
 great darkness,

00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:20.259
 loss,

00:37:21.259 --> 00:37:21.639
 grief,

00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:22.980
 sadness,

00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:25.460
 depression,

00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.300
 anxiety.

00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.119
 In the midst

00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:33.539
 of your crippling

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.039
 anxiety,

00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:34.719
 do you know

00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:35.400
 that God

00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.280
 is with you?

00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:41.119
 Don't ever believe

00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:41.840
 the devil's lie

00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:42.300
 that God

00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:43.360
 has abandoned you.

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.559
 In the midst

00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.940
 of your stressful work

00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.659
 or your stressful

00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:49.500
 relationships,

00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:50.199
 do you know

00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:50.719
 that God

00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.619
 is with you?

00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:52.879
 In the midst

00:37:52.879 --> 00:37:53.639
 of your grief,

00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:54.939
 suffering,

00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:56.059
 God is with you

00:37:56.059 --> 00:37:57.239
 and you are not alone.

00:37:59.279 --> 00:38:00.619
 Even in hopeless

00:38:00.619 --> 00:38:02.139
 situations like Peter's,

00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:04.859
 when everyone

00:38:04.859 --> 00:38:05.419
 around you

00:38:05.419 --> 00:38:06.119
 has given up

00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.539
 on you,

00:38:07.319 --> 00:38:08.599
 God has not

00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.419
 given up on you.

00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.959
 God is with you.

00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.919
 And he is

00:38:15.919 --> 00:38:17.539
 able to deliver you.

00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:24.779
 It appears

00:38:24.779 --> 00:38:25.439
 that even

00:38:25.439 --> 00:38:26.459
 the faithful church

00:38:26.459 --> 00:38:28.259
 wasn't expecting

00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:29.179
 to see Peter

00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:29.679
 delivered,

00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:32.099
 at least not

00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:33.000
 in such a sudden

00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:33.919
 and miraculous manner

00:38:33.919 --> 00:38:34.539
 because when the

00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:35.239
 servant girl named

00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:36.519
 Rhoda answers the door

00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.939
 and sees Peter,

00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:39.599
 she is so overjoyed

00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.359
 that she forgets

00:38:40.359 --> 00:38:41.239
 to open the door,

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.859
 runs back

00:38:42.859 --> 00:38:43.679
 to report

00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:44.119
 to the rest

00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:44.579
 of the group.

00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:46.079
 Peter is at the gate.

00:38:47.259 --> 00:38:48.159
 And they're not like,

00:38:48.239 --> 00:38:48.819
 oh yes,

00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:49.579
 God has answered

00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.039
 our prayer.

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.599
 No, that's not

00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:51.279
 their response.

00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:52.340
 Their response is,

00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:53.500
 you're out of your mind.

00:38:54.259 --> 00:38:55.199
 You're crazy.

00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.659
 Peter is scheduled

00:38:58.659 --> 00:38:59.759
 to be trial tomorrow.

00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:06.019
 It seems God answers

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.800
 sometimes even

00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:07.900
 faithless prayers.

00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.559
 They think that

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.759
 it is his angel.

00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:16.519
 So this is,

00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.500
 there's a lot of debate

00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.559
 around what this might mean,

00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.179
 but the Bible

00:39:20.179 --> 00:39:21.019
 in numerous places

00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:22.279
 attests to the existence

00:39:22.279 --> 00:39:23.400
 of guardian angels.

00:39:24.779 --> 00:39:26.299
 Psalm 91, 11 says,

00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:27.599
 for he will command

00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:28.799
 his angels concerning you

00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.639
 to guard you

00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:30.460
 in all your ways.

00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:32.480
 Matthew 18, 10,

00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:33.159
 Jesus says,

00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:34.420
 so see that you do not

00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:35.779
 despise one of these

00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.360
 little ones,

00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:36.860
 for I tell you

00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:37.460
 that in heaven

00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:38.679
 their angels

00:39:38.679 --> 00:39:39.739
 always see the face

00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:40.259
 of my Father

00:39:40.259 --> 00:39:40.880
 who is in heaven.

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:41.799
 Similarly,

00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:43.179
 Hebrews 1, 14 says

00:39:43.179 --> 00:39:43.820
 that angels

00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:44.960
 angels are all

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:46.340
 ministering spirits

00:39:46.340 --> 00:39:47.700
 sent out to serve

00:39:47.700 --> 00:39:49.260
 for the sake of those

00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:51.120
 who are to inherit salvation.

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:53.080
 Angels do our bidding.

00:39:53.200 --> 00:39:53.940
 They serve us.

00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.100
 They minister to us.

00:39:55.160 --> 00:39:56.120
 They guard us.

00:39:56.200 --> 00:39:57.440
 God uses them in that way.

00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.480
 And because of this,

00:39:58.780 --> 00:40:00.039
 some believers back then

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:01.100
 believed that an angel

00:40:01.100 --> 00:40:02.280
 could take on the appearance

00:40:02.280 --> 00:40:03.000
 of the person

00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.880
 that he is guarding,

00:40:04.260 --> 00:40:05.820
 almost like a stunt double.

00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:07.360
 And so they're like,

00:40:07.420 --> 00:40:08.380
 well, you must be seeing

00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:09.160
 Peter's angel.

00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:10.080
 It can't be Peter.

00:40:13.240 --> 00:40:15.080
 But Peter, it was.

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:17.280
 He was very much alive.

00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:19.140
 And he shows up

00:40:19.140 --> 00:40:20.000
 and he comes in

00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:21.980
 to show these believers

00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:22.820
 that God is able

00:40:22.820 --> 00:40:24.980
 to do far more abundantly

00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:26.180
 than all that they ask for.

00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:29.600
 No matter how dire

00:40:29.600 --> 00:40:31.220
 your circumstances are,

00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:32.920
 no matter how impossible

00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:35.200
 or remote your deliverance

00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:35.919
 might seem

00:40:35.919 --> 00:40:37.359
 in whatever you're suffering,

00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:39.319
 whatever you're going through,

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.719
 trust in God

00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:42.960
 for whom nothing is impossible.

00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:49.319
 To summarize

00:40:49.319 --> 00:40:50.399
 what we've talked about so far,

00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.500
 we can proclaim the gospel

00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.199
 with confidence

00:40:52.199 --> 00:40:53.659
 because God has the power

00:40:53.659 --> 00:40:54.659
 to provide for us,

00:40:54.919 --> 00:40:56.399
 because God has the power

00:40:56.399 --> 00:40:57.559
 of life and death,

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:59.319
 and because God has the power

00:40:59.319 --> 00:41:00.339
 to deliver us.

00:41:00.799 --> 00:41:01.939
 That's why we can proclaim

00:41:01.939 --> 00:41:03.199
 the gospel with confidence

00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:05.059
 because God is with us

00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:06.759
 and His word

00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:08.500
 is unstoppable.

00:41:09.380 --> 00:41:10.079
 That's what we see

00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:11.019
 at the end of this passage

00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:12.639
 in verses 24 to 25.

00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:15.559
 Herod's blasphemous words

00:41:15.559 --> 00:41:18.039
 came to an abrupt halt

00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:20.420
 in verse 23.

00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:22.219
 But then in verse 24,

00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.259
 he says in contrast,

00:41:23.519 --> 00:41:25.559
 but the word of God,

00:41:26.599 --> 00:41:28.139
 the word of the true God,

00:41:28.219 --> 00:41:30.279
 increased and multiplied.

00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:33.820
 No matter how many Christians

00:41:33.820 --> 00:41:34.519
 are killed,

00:41:35.100 --> 00:41:36.840
 no matter how many Christian villages

00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:39.300
 and Bibles are burned,

00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:41.560
 no matter how many Christians

00:41:41.560 --> 00:41:43.620
 are vilified,

00:41:43.760 --> 00:41:44.900
 how much the faith

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:46.019
 is trampled upon

00:41:46.019 --> 00:41:47.380
 by the world and the culture,

00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:49.019
 the word of God

00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:50.460
 is unstoppable.

00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:55.640
 It will endure forever.

00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:57.420
 It will outlast

00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:59.019
 every single person

00:41:59.019 --> 00:41:59.900
 in the world.

00:42:02.299 --> 00:42:03.359
 And this truth

00:42:03.359 --> 00:42:03.900
 should give us

00:42:03.900 --> 00:42:04.559
 the confidence

00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.900
 to proclaim the gospel

00:42:05.900 --> 00:42:07.359
 in spite of opposition.

00:42:09.379 --> 00:42:10.460
 And in this passage,

00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.059
 we also see

00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:12.219
 the gospel baton

00:42:12.219 --> 00:42:13.259
 being passed on

00:42:13.259 --> 00:42:14.279
 from one generation

00:42:14.279 --> 00:42:15.460
 to the next.

00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:17.119
 First, we see

00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:17.679
 the appointment

00:42:17.679 --> 00:42:18.539
 of the elders.

00:42:19.099 --> 00:42:19.599
 The leadership

00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:20.759
 of the twelve apostles

00:42:20.759 --> 00:42:22.139
 in the Jerusalem church

00:42:22.139 --> 00:42:23.699
 appears to have passed on

00:42:23.699 --> 00:42:24.239
 to the leadership

00:42:24.239 --> 00:42:24.899
 of the elders

00:42:24.899 --> 00:42:26.460
 because in chapter 11,

00:42:26.539 --> 00:42:26.980
 verse 30,

00:42:27.059 --> 00:42:27.759
 it says that the church

00:42:27.759 --> 00:42:28.399
 in Antioch

00:42:28.399 --> 00:42:29.399
 sent the collection

00:42:29.399 --> 00:42:29.980
 that they made

00:42:29.980 --> 00:42:30.819
 on behalf of the saints

00:42:30.819 --> 00:42:31.279
 in Jerusalem

00:42:31.279 --> 00:42:32.679
 to the elders,

00:42:32.859 --> 00:42:33.719
 not to the apostles.

00:42:35.960 --> 00:42:36.359
 Second,

00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:37.599
 Apostle James

00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:38.439
 is killed

00:42:38.439 --> 00:42:39.679
 and the apostle Peter

00:42:39.679 --> 00:42:41.039
 leaves Jerusalem,

00:42:41.159 --> 00:42:41.859
 which is significant

00:42:41.859 --> 00:42:42.480
 in the history

00:42:42.480 --> 00:42:43.000
 of the church,

00:42:43.399 --> 00:42:44.439
 to flee from those

00:42:44.439 --> 00:42:45.439
 who are trying to kill him

00:42:45.439 --> 00:42:46.839
 so that he can minister

00:42:46.839 --> 00:42:47.339
 elsewhere.

00:42:48.239 --> 00:42:49.199
 And then we see

00:42:49.199 --> 00:42:50.119
 other people

00:42:50.119 --> 00:42:50.839
 rising up

00:42:50.839 --> 00:42:51.679
 to take their place.

00:42:52.779 --> 00:42:53.519
 Peter says in verse

00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:54.000
 17,

00:42:54.139 --> 00:42:54.840
 tell these things

00:42:54.840 --> 00:42:55.340
 to James

00:42:55.340 --> 00:42:56.079
 and to the brothers

00:42:56.079 --> 00:42:57.420
 and then he departed

00:42:57.420 --> 00:42:58.519
 and went to another place.

00:42:59.199 --> 00:42:59.900
 This James

00:42:59.900 --> 00:43:00.739
 is obviously not

00:43:00.739 --> 00:43:01.219
 the James

00:43:01.219 --> 00:43:02.099
 that we were just told

00:43:02.099 --> 00:43:02.820
 in verse 2

00:43:02.820 --> 00:43:03.280
 was killed.

00:43:04.759 --> 00:43:06.179
 This is a different James.

00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:07.579
 This is James,

00:43:07.800 --> 00:43:08.579
 likely the brother

00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:09.059
 of Jesus,

00:43:09.219 --> 00:43:09.639
 mentioned in

00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:10.519
 1 Corinthians 15,

00:43:10.639 --> 00:43:11.000
 7,

00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:12.480
 Galatians 2, 9,

00:43:12.940 --> 00:43:13.719
 whom we will encounter

00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:15.159
 again later in Acts 15

00:43:15.159 --> 00:43:16.519
 where he emerges

00:43:16.519 --> 00:43:17.519
 as the new leader

00:43:17.519 --> 00:43:18.079
 of the church

00:43:18.079 --> 00:43:18.639
 in Jerusalem

00:43:18.639 --> 00:43:19.900
 in Peter's place.

00:43:21.639 --> 00:43:22.079
 Similarly,

00:43:22.239 --> 00:43:23.500
 starting in chapter 13,

00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:25.480
 the focus of Acts

00:43:25.480 --> 00:43:26.500
 shifts entirely

00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:27.820
 from the account

00:43:27.820 --> 00:43:28.400
 of Peter

00:43:28.400 --> 00:43:29.219
 and his ministry

00:43:29.219 --> 00:43:30.519
 to the account

00:43:30.519 --> 00:43:31.079
 of Paul

00:43:31.079 --> 00:43:32.019
 and his ministry.

00:43:33.619 --> 00:43:34.659
 There's a shift,

00:43:34.739 --> 00:43:35.320
 a transition

00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:36.119
 taking place

00:43:36.119 --> 00:43:36.619
 in the history

00:43:36.619 --> 00:43:37.259
 of the church.

00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:39.300
 Though James

00:43:39.300 --> 00:43:39.880
 is killed

00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:40.420
 and Peter

00:43:40.420 --> 00:43:41.099
 must flee,

00:43:41.340 --> 00:43:41.659
 James,

00:43:41.900 --> 00:43:42.139
 Paul,

00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:42.960
 and Barnabas

00:43:42.960 --> 00:43:43.980
 pick up

00:43:43.980 --> 00:43:45.000
 and continue

00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:46.119
 to carry the torch.

00:43:46.119 --> 00:43:50.799
 and then third,

00:43:50.880 --> 00:43:51.219
 the church

00:43:51.219 --> 00:43:52.000
 is seen gathering

00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:52.559
 at the house

00:43:52.559 --> 00:43:53.000
 of Mary

00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.739
 in verse 12

00:43:53.739 --> 00:43:54.900
 and it says

00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:55.440
 at the end

00:43:55.440 --> 00:43:56.099
 in verse 25

00:43:56.099 --> 00:43:56.980
 that her son

00:43:56.980 --> 00:43:57.400
 John,

00:43:57.519 --> 00:43:58.259
 whose other name

00:43:58.259 --> 00:43:58.960
 was Mark,

00:43:59.159 --> 00:43:59.819
 now begins

00:43:59.819 --> 00:44:00.480
 to accompany

00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:01.980
 Paul and Barnabas

00:44:01.980 --> 00:44:02.559
 in their missionary

00:44:02.559 --> 00:44:03.059
 journeys.

00:44:03.799 --> 00:44:04.559
 This is the one

00:44:04.559 --> 00:44:05.500
 we know as Mark,

00:44:05.619 --> 00:44:06.000
 the author

00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:06.599
 of the gospel

00:44:06.599 --> 00:44:07.079
 of Mark,

00:44:07.500 --> 00:44:08.420
 who was Barnabas'

00:44:08.619 --> 00:44:09.359
 cousin according

00:44:09.359 --> 00:44:10.719
 to Colossians 4, 10.

00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:13.799
 This transfer,

00:44:14.059 --> 00:44:14.799
 this passing

00:44:14.799 --> 00:44:15.419
 of the torch

00:44:15.419 --> 00:44:16.559
 has happened

00:44:16.559 --> 00:44:17.839
 in the church

00:44:17.839 --> 00:44:18.519
 generation

00:44:18.519 --> 00:44:19.980
 after generation

00:44:19.980 --> 00:44:21.639
 and today

00:44:21.639 --> 00:44:22.599
 we carry

00:44:22.599 --> 00:44:23.459
 this torch.

00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:27.500
 It is our

00:44:27.500 --> 00:44:28.239
 responsibility

00:44:28.239 --> 00:44:29.179
 to shine

00:44:29.179 --> 00:44:30.059
 the light

00:44:30.059 --> 00:44:30.559
 of Christ

00:44:30.559 --> 00:44:31.319
 and carry

00:44:31.319 --> 00:44:32.039
 the fire

00:44:32.039 --> 00:44:33.000
 of the gospel

00:44:33.000 --> 00:44:33.659
 to the world.

00:44:34.939 --> 00:44:36.119
 We too

00:44:36.119 --> 00:44:37.500
 will face

00:44:37.500 --> 00:44:38.119
 opposition,

00:44:38.339 --> 00:44:38.699
 we too

00:44:38.699 --> 00:44:39.619
 will face

00:44:39.619 --> 00:44:40.559
 persecution

00:44:40.559 --> 00:44:42.259
 though here

00:44:42.259 --> 00:44:42.900
 perhaps in

00:44:42.900 --> 00:44:43.539
 much milder

00:44:43.539 --> 00:44:44.119
 ways than

00:44:44.119 --> 00:44:44.440
 our brothers

00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:45.000
 and sisters

00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:45.960
 elsewhere.

00:44:47.360 --> 00:44:48.340
 Even when

00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.039
 circumstances

00:44:49.039 --> 00:44:50.000
 are dire

00:44:50.000 --> 00:44:50.739
 and adverse,

00:44:51.039 --> 00:44:51.599
 even when

00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:52.279
 darkness

00:44:52.279 --> 00:44:53.440
 envelops us

00:44:53.440 --> 00:44:54.559
 and hope

00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:55.320
 seems dim,

00:44:55.440 --> 00:44:56.239
 we can proclaim

00:44:56.239 --> 00:44:57.099
 the gospel

00:44:57.099 --> 00:44:57.960
 with confidence

00:44:57.960 --> 00:44:59.139
 because God

00:44:59.139 --> 00:45:00.599
 is with us

00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:02.440
 and His word

00:45:02.440 --> 00:45:04.179
 is unstoppable.

00:45:07.380 --> 00:45:08.380
 Let me pray

00:45:08.380 --> 00:45:08.860
 for us.

00:45:10.559 --> 00:45:12.619
 God,

00:45:12.799 --> 00:45:13.380
 give us

00:45:13.380 --> 00:45:14.259
 unshakable

00:45:14.259 --> 00:45:14.799
 confidence

00:45:14.799 --> 00:45:15.519
 in Your word.

00:45:18.099 --> 00:45:18.980
 Give us

00:45:18.980 --> 00:45:20.219
 unwavering

00:45:20.219 --> 00:45:20.719
 faith

00:45:20.719 --> 00:45:21.920
 in You,

00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:22.739
 our Savior,

00:45:24.000 --> 00:45:24.519
 that You

00:45:24.519 --> 00:45:25.279
 will never

00:45:25.279 --> 00:45:26.219
 abandon us,

00:45:26.759 --> 00:45:28.139
 that You

00:45:28.139 --> 00:45:28.840
 are able

00:45:28.840 --> 00:45:29.880
 to deliver us,

00:45:30.579 --> 00:45:31.480
 that our life

00:45:31.480 --> 00:45:32.219
 is not in the

00:45:32.219 --> 00:45:33.039
 hands of any

00:45:33.039 --> 00:45:33.619
 tyrant,

00:45:34.619 --> 00:45:36.199
 that our lives

00:45:36.199 --> 00:45:37.559
 are not in our

00:45:37.559 --> 00:45:37.940
 hands,

00:45:37.940 --> 00:45:39.420
 but they

00:45:39.420 --> 00:45:39.659
 are in

00:45:39.659 --> 00:45:40.039
 Yours.

00:45:44.420 --> 00:45:44.940
 Lord,

00:45:45.099 --> 00:45:45.860
 embolden us

00:45:45.860 --> 00:45:46.220
 to bear

00:45:46.220 --> 00:45:46.800
 witness to

00:45:46.800 --> 00:45:47.119
 Jesus,

00:45:47.639 --> 00:45:48.500
 wherever we

00:45:48.500 --> 00:45:48.780
 are,

00:45:49.320 --> 00:45:51.240
 for the

00:45:51.240 --> 00:45:51.780
 glory of Your

00:45:51.780 --> 00:45:52.099
 name,

00:45:53.099 --> 00:45:54.559
 so that

00:45:54.559 --> 00:45:55.599
 more might

00:45:55.599 --> 00:45:56.320
 be saved.

00:45:56.320 --> 00:45:56.460
 Amen.

00:46:03.619 --> 00:46:04.800
 In Jesus' name

00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:05.159
 we pray.

00:46:06.059 --> 00:46:06.340
 Amen.

00:46:07.940 --> 00:46:34.700
ằng