WEBVTT

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 Well folks, as we turn to that passage, please do have it open in front of you.

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 We'll be dipping in and out of it, so it'll be great if you have it open in front of you in the pew Bibles,

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 if that's convenient for you.

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 Let us pray before we think about this passage together.

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 Let's pray.

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 Heavenly Father, when we come to a passage like this, we have questions.

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 We have maybe doubts of what it could teach us.

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 Father, I pray that you would help me to preach faithfully.

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 Father, would you bless the meditations of our hearts and the words of my mouth.

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 Would it all be pleasing to you, our wonderful rock and our redeemer.

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 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Now, have you ever read a story, watched a movie or seen an episode series

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 and it doesn't quite pan out like you think it would.

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 There's that moment where you're following along, everything is happy and fine,

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 the story makes sense, but then something happens and it throws it.

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 It throws you completely off.

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 You're left shocked, unsure of what will happen next.

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 You are confused and you have questions.

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 That's similar to where I think we find Paul this morning.

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 He's been one of the most well-known people in the New Testament who went from town to town,

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 telling people about Jesus, planting churches, encouraging Christians.

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 But then last week in Acts chapter 21, we saw that he was told he would be bound in Jerusalem

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 and handed over to the Gentiles.

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 That is not what you would expect of this great apostle.

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 What good can come from this, we might be asking.

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 Now, maybe you found yourself in that situation as well.

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 Questioning why God has placed you where you are.

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 Why God has placed you around the people that you are around.

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 It all seems hard and you have no idea what good could come from any of this.

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 Well, two things we can learn from Paul this morning as he found himself in a similar situation.

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 Always be ready to give a reason for your faith in Jesus

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 and remember that God's ways are not your ways.

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 Now, we'll cover that passage that Alistair read to us under two headings

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 that summarise the teaching points of these verses.

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 But also that help us think about how to apply this passage to our lives.

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 Let me give you a quick overview of what happened in the passage.

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 So a group of Jews were angry with Paul and they gather a mob.

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 They create absolute chaos with false accusations and they try to kill him

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 until the Roman authorities step in.

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 Then Paul asks to speak to the crowd who just tried to kill him.

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 And he tells the story of his own life and what God has done.

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 He then stands before the religious high court and another chaotic scene breaks out.

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 There's another plot to kill Paul, but it is all discovered by the Romans

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 who, as we'll see next week, take steps to keep him safe.

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 Now, what can we learn from this historical retelling of one man's story

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 intertwined with courtrooms, with chaos and with religious customs?

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 Well, we can learn that we always need to be ready to give a defence for our faith

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 and that God's ways are not our ways.

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 So let's look at this passage together with those two things in mind.

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 The first thing we see in this passage is that Christians should always be ready

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 to give a defence of their faith.

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 Always be ready to give a defence.

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 Now, last week we looked at the beginning of Acts chapter 21

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 and saw that Paul was told he would be bound in Jerusalem

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 and handed over to the Gentiles.

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 And people begged him not to go to Jerusalem.

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 But Paul says in Acts chapter 20 verse 22

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 that he is compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem.

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 And the prophecy from last week happens in verse 27.

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 Read it with me.

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 When the seven days were nearly over,

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 some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple.

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 They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him.

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 Now, these are probably Jews from Ephesus because of verse 29

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 where it tells us that they recognised one of Paul's travel companions

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 and assumed that Paul had taken a non-Jewish friend into the temple.

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 Look at their accusations in verse 28.

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 They say,

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 Fellow Israelites, help us.

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 This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere

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 against our people and our law and this place, meaning the temple.

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 And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple

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 and defiled this holy place.

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 See, these men are accusing Paul of things

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 they haven't actually even seen themselves.

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 But they've assumed.

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 They are hostile and lying in order to get the result they want.

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 They want Paul dead.

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 Now, this is a pattern we've already seen in Acts before, isn't it?

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 Paul is accused of teaching against the Jews,

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 against Jewish law and against the temple.

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 But this time they create a mob.

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 And verse 30 says that the whole city was aroused

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 and people were running from every direction to join in.

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 The Romans arrive and they bind Paul with chains

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 and try to figure out what all the commotion is about.

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 But look at verse 34.

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 The crowd is confused.

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 One shouting one thing, one another.

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 They have no idea what they're even there for.

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 This has all come about through hostility and lies.

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 Now, what would you do in a situation

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 where people have already started beating you to death?

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 I think you'd see the police coming

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 and you would welcome the rescue, wouldn't you?

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 You'd go into custody.

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 You would try to get as far away from the mob

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 as humanly possible.

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 It is our natural instinct to run from danger,

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 to preserve our lives,

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 to keep on fighting for another day.

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 What does Paul do?

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 At the end of verse 39, Paul says,

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 please let me speak to the people.

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 Paul responds to the hostility and lies of the crowd

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 with honesty and loyalty.

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 Look at chapter 22, verse 1.

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 Paul says,

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 brothers and fathers, listen to my defense.

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 Paul begins like this to highlight their shared heritage

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 and also his respect for the Jews.

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 He doesn't go in all guns blazing.

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 He isn't wanting payback.

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 He isn't out to launch an attack on them.

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 He simply wants to be honest about who he is

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 and how his life has been changed.

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 So Paul tells his story.

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 He tells them what happened to make him so different

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 from the Paul they maybe remember from a few years back.

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 The Paul who went around persecuting Christians,

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 who spent time going from town to town

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 hunting Christians and throwing them in prison.

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 Now we've already heard Paul's story before in Acts 9,

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 haven't we?

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 And we'll hear it again in Acts 26.

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 But maybe as Alistair read it to us,

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 you thought that it sounded a little bit different.

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 That there were additional details or phrases

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 used that we haven't seen before.

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 Now why is that?

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 It's because Paul is intentionally using words and concepts

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 that would be easy for Jews to understand

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 so that he can witness to them.

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 He's highlighting that he is one of them,

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 that they have the same background,

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 but he's also highlighting his Jewish pedigree.

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 He's showing them his religious CV,

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 which for a Jew was very important.

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 And so in verse 3, Paul says,

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 I am a Jew born of Tarsus of Cilicia,

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 but brought up in this city, meaning Jerusalem.

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 I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained

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 in the law of our ancestors.

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 I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

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 He then says how he persecuted Christians

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 and even brings in the high priest

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 and the whole council in verse 5 as his witnesses

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 to the man he used to be.

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 But something changes, doesn't it, in verse 6.

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 Paul says on traveling to Damascus,

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 about noon as I came near Damascus,

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 suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

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 And Jesus spoke to Paul from this bright light

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 and asked, why are you persecuting me?

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 Now again, notice how close Jesus is with his people.

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 Jesus doesn't say, why are you persecuting my people?

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 Jesus says, Saul, why are you persecuting me?

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 And for a Jewish audience,

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 that bright light from heaven in verse 6

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 would make them think of nothing else

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 other than God's presence,

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 because God's presence was revealed to them

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 in the Old Testament by a bright light.

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 So Paul has been blinded by this light

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 and is told by Jesus to go to Damascus

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 where he'll meet Ananias,

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 who Paul describes in verse 12

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 as a devout observer of the law

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 and highly respected by all the Jews living there.

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 See, the accusations against Paul

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 are that he is disregarding

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 and encouraging Jews to disregard the law.

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 He highlights that Ananias

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 was a devout observer of the law.

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 So with each little phrase,

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 Paul is showing respect

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 and being honest about his life story,

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 highlighting that along the way

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 he has met faithful, devout people

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 who are all doing the will of God.

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 And then in verse 14,

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 after Paul has miraculously received his sight,

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 Ananias says, read with me, verse 14,

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 the God of our ancestors has chosen you

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 to know his will

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 and to see the righteous one

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 and to hear words from his mouth.

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 Now at this point,

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 every Jew would know

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 that the righteous one

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 is a reference

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 to God's promised Messiah

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 from the Old Testament,

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 the one who would come

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 and save God's people.

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 Then in verse 16,

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 Paul is told to call

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 on the name of Jesus,

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 God's Messiah,

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 to be saved through his death

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 and resurrection

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 and to be baptized.

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 Now that is abundantly clear

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 to everyone in this crowd

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 listening to this.

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 Paul isn't hiding anything.

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 He isn't holding anything back.

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 And so far,

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 they've listened to him

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 until verse 21,

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 where he says,

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 then the Lord said to me,

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 go and I will send you

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 far away to the Gentiles.

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 Now the crowd hear this

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 and they go wild.

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 They conclude that

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 the only good outcome

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 from this

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 is that Paul needs to die.

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 They work themselves

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 into a frenzy

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 and in verse 23,

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 they start throwing their cloaks

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 and dust into the air.

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 Expressions of lament,

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 condemnation and anger.

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 But notice through

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 this whole interaction,

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 Paul hasn't once

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 gone on the offensive.

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 He hasn't attacked

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 those who attacked him,

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 but he has faithfully

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 and honestly relayed

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 the story of his life

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 and how Jesus changed him.

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 Friends,

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 as we go into a world

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 that is increasingly moving

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 away from the Bible,

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 a world that is becoming

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 increasingly antagonistic

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 towards Christianity,

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 a world where it feels like

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 Christians are being sidelined

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 for our faith,

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 attacked maybe on every side,

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 we need to do two things.

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 First,

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 we need to remember

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 that Christianity,

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 that the church

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 has been opposed

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 from the very beginning.

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 This is nothing new.

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 And yet,

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 the Lord has continued

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 to grow his kingdom,

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 hasn't he?

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 What started

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 some 2,000 years ago

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 with a small number

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 of followers

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 is now

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 a number,

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 a group of billions

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 of Christians worldwide.

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 Nothing will stop

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 God's plan

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 for people

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 to hear

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 about Jesus Christ.

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 No amount

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 of opposition

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 will prevent

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 the kingdom of God

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 from growing

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 and God

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 will never,

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 ever leave

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 his people.

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 The pattern

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 throughout Acts

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 and arguably

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 throughout the whole

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 of church history

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 is that the gospel

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 grows

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 as it is opposed.

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 See,

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 when we become Christians,

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 we are signing up

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 for a life

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 of being sidelined,

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 a life of difficulty,

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 a life of constant

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 spiritual battle

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 where people

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 will try to silence us,

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 people will try

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 to stop us

00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.439
 talking about Jesus,

00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.419
 people will question

00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.019
 our beliefs

00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.399
 and the way

00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:38.659
 we live our lives.

00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:41.839
 But it is a glorious,

00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:43.319
 glorious life

00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:44.000
 of forgiveness,

00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:46.059
 a glorious life

00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.860
 of a relationship

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.759
 with our Creator

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.819
 and a life

00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:50.760
 of eternal significance

00:13:50.760 --> 00:13:52.360
 because we are living

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.740
 and working for God,

00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:56.240
 the one who holds

00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.180
 all things together

00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:58.020
 and one day

00:13:58.020 --> 00:13:58.720
 we will be

00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.060
 in his presence forever.

00:14:00.640 --> 00:14:01.720
 That is the future

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.180
 that awaits

00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:02.960
 every Christian

00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.020
 and no amount

00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:04.820
 of opposition

00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.879
 should hinder us

00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.840
 from living

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.580
 for Jesus.

00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:10.340
 The second thing

00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.060
 we need to remember

00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:12.500
 is that like Paul,

00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.300
 we should always be ready

00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:15.260
 to give a defense,

00:14:15.640 --> 00:14:16.760
 always be ready

00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.980
 to explain to people

00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:19.220
 why we have hope

00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:19.799
 in Jesus,

00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:22.379
 why we live our lives

00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:22.840
 for him

00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.379
 and why they should

00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.319
 listen to the message

00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:25.980
 of forgiveness

00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.259
 and peace with God

00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.259
 that is offered

00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.659
 through Jesus' death

00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.319
 and resurrection.

00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.799
 And the way we do that

00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.319
 is important.

00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:36.720
 The manner in which

00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:38.059
 we speak with people

00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:38.860
 about Jesus

00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.659
 really matters.

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:43.220
 The only offensive thing

00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.720
 about any Christian

00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.740
 sharing the gospel

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.139
 should be the gospel

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.660
 itself.

00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.120
 The gospel will

00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.300
 naturally offend people.

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.060
 The Bible makes

00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:52.620
 that clear.

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.320
 But like Paul does here,

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.440
 we need to be honest

00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.820
 and respectful

00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:59.480
 to those we share

00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.519
 the gospel with

00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.300
 and why we trust Jesus.

00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.480
 Now this goes for

00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.560
 in-person discussions

00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:07.120
 and online interactions

00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.379
 and the way we live

00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:08.940
 our life.

00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:11.340
 How many of you

00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.160
 became Christians

00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.480
 because someone

00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.259
 was trying to win

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:14.819
 an argument

00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:16.139
 rather than winning

00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:16.799
 the person they

00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.500
 were talking to?

00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.459
 How many of you

00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:21.199
 became Christians

00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:21.879
 because someone

00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:23.319
 pointed out your hypocrisy

00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:25.240
 on a Facebook post comment?

00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.639
 I'd say probably

00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.360
 next to none.

00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.899
 The way we speak

00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:32.279
 to people about Jesus

00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:34.240
 really matters.

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.279
 The life of a Christian

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.019
 should be one of

00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:38.579
 constant witness

00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:39.740
 to the goodness

00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.240
 of Jesus

00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.360
 and so we always

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.139
 need to be ready

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.779
 to give a defense.

00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.659
 But the second thing

00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:47.940
 we see in this passage

00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:49.879
 is that God's ways

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.840
 are not our ways.

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.279
 God's ways

00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.379
 are not our ways.

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.180
 So this crowd

00:15:55.180 --> 00:15:56.080
 have just absolutely

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.220
 lost it with Paul

00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.740
 and the Romans

00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.680
 have to step in

00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.899
 again and protect him

00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.980
 but their means

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.060
 of getting to the truth

00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:04.840
 also wasn't really ideal.

00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:06.360
 Read verse 24 with me.

00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.899
 The commander

00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.799
 ordered that Paul

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:10.379
 be taken into the barracks.

00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.519
 He directed

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.839
 that he be flogged

00:16:12.839 --> 00:16:14.019
 and interrogated

00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:15.479
 in order to find out

00:16:15.479 --> 00:16:16.219
 why the people

00:16:16.219 --> 00:16:17.419
 were shouting at him

00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.219
 like this.

00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.959
 See the Roman commander

00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:22.559
 wanted to get to the truth

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.559
 of why the crowd

00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:25.079
 was so mad at Paul

00:16:25.079 --> 00:16:26.799
 because at this stage

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:28.139
 Christians were seen

00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.039
 as a subsect

00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.759
 of Judaism.

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.759
 They had no idea

00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.899
 that Judaism

00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.599
 and Christianity

00:16:33.599 --> 00:16:34.279
 were different.

00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.079
 That realization

00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.240
 would come later on

00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.599
 in the Roman Empire.

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:39.379
 So the commander

00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.279
 decides to get

00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.019
 to the truth

00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.820
 by torture.

00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:43.759
 And they stretch

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.980
 Paul out to be flogged

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.080
 but it all comes

00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.560
 to a halt

00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.420
 in verse 25

00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.600
 when Paul asks

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.220
 the question

00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.500
 is it legal

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:52.159
 for you to flog

00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.040
 a Roman citizen

00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.159
 who hasn't even

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.440
 been found guilty?

00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.279
 See Paul knew

00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:58.940
 that it was illegal

00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:00.300
 to beat a Roman citizen

00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:02.200
 without a fair trial

00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:03.779
 and a guilty verdict.

00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.720
 And so he uses this

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.500
 to his advantage

00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.220
 as he has done

00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.079
 before in Acts

00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.500
 and so they retreat

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.339
 with their tail

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.259
 between their legs.

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.720
 Verse 29 says

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.319
 they withdraw

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.180
 immediately

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.879
 and are alarmed.

00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.180
 Now this might sound

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.379
 like a minute detail

00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.859
 but it gives Paul

00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.480
 the opportunity

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.599
 to stand before

00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.440
 the high court

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.619
 of the religious leaders

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.599
 in Acts 23.

00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.720
 Look at chapter 22

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.460
 verse 30.

00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.680
 The commander

00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.980
 wanted to find out

00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.860
 exactly why

00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.600
 Paul was being

00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.860
 accused by the Jews.

00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.420
 So the next day

00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.740
 he released him

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.620
 and ordered the chief priests

00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.420
 and all the members

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.340
 of the Sanhedrin

00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.000
 that's the Jewish

00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.620
 high court

00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.720
 to assemble.

00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.779
 Then he brought Paul

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.140
 and had him stand

00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:47.840
 before them.

00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.079
 Paul stands

00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.460
 before this group

00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:51.980
 of men

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.059
 and basically says

00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:54.240
 in chapter 23

00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.940
 verse 1

00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.980
 I'm innocent

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.600
 of the charges

00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.600
 you bring against me.

00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:59.100
 The only thing

00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.919
 I have done

00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.899
 is exactly

00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.500
 what God

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.679
 has called me to do.

00:18:04.459 --> 00:18:05.199
 Now he isn't saying

00:18:05.199 --> 00:18:06.199
 he's a perfect man

00:18:06.199 --> 00:18:07.719
 but he's saying

00:18:07.719 --> 00:18:08.899
 that he has been faithful

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:09.659
 in carrying out

00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.259
 his calling

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.119
 from God

00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:13.099
 and the chief priest

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.659
 hears that

00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.639
 and orders the man

00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.719
 standing next to Paul

00:18:15.719 --> 00:18:16.379
 to punch him

00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:16.980
 in the face

00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.519
 because he doesn't

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.339
 want to hear anything

00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.419
 from this perceived

00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:21.159
 blasphemer

00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:23.899
 and Paul responds

00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.399
 in verse 3

00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:24.859
 by saying

00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.019
 God will strike you

00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.419
 you whitewashed wall

00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.900
 you sit there

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.539
 to judge me

00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.500
 according to the law

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.580
 yet you yourself

00:18:31.580 --> 00:18:32.500
 violate the law

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.420
 by commanding

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.660
 that I be struck.

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.160
 Now at this point

00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.519
 Paul could be

00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.100
 denouncing

00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:39.740
 faithless

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.259
 and corrupt

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.720
 leadership

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.660
 within the religious

00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.720
 leaders of Jerusalem

00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:44.779
 but it's more likely

00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.420
 that he's just

00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.600
 responding out of anger.

00:18:47.560 --> 00:18:48.259
 I mean he's just

00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:48.779
 been beaten

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.539
 by a mob

00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:51.060
 nearly flogged

00:18:51.060 --> 00:18:51.860
 by the Romans

00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.560
 and now he's

00:18:52.560 --> 00:18:53.259
 standing before

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.180
 the very court

00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.299
 of religious leaders

00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:57.420
 who are supposed

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.299
 to recognize

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.360
 God's work

00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:00.660
 and he gets

00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.519
 punched in the face.

00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:03.860
 Paul is a human.

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.840
 He gets angry

00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:06.960
 to be honest

00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.640
 if that was me

00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.600
 I would be raging

00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:11.519
 but then he composes

00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.000
 himself

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.160
 and after finding out

00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.600
 that it was the

00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.299
 high priest

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.720
 he had snapped at

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.820
 he says in verse 5

00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:17.660
 brothers I did not

00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.519
 realize that he was

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.180
 the high priest

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.940
 for it is written

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.500
 do not speak evil

00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.360
 about the ruler

00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.159
 of your people.

00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.740
 Paul's being smart here.

00:19:27.699 --> 00:19:28.439
 He's using the

00:19:28.439 --> 00:19:29.519
 Old Testament law

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.439
 as part of his

00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:31.740
 apology highlighting

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.699
 as he did with the

00:19:32.699 --> 00:19:33.579
 crowd earlier on

00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.059
 in the passage

00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:36.759
 that he has

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.659
 respect for the

00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:38.379
 Jewish leaders

00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.259
 and their shared

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.799
 heritage

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:42.159
 and so Paul gets

00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:42.959
 to speak again

00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:44.879
 and very cunningly

00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:46.299
 because he knows

00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.500
 the political feel

00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.959
 in the room

00:19:47.959 --> 00:19:49.159
 he says in verse 6

00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:49.979
 read it with me

00:19:49.979 --> 00:19:51.099
 my brothers

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.719
 I am a Pharisee

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.559
 descended from

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.160
 Pharisees

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.240
 I stand on trial

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.640
 because of the

00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:57.640
 hope of the

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.460
 resurrection of the

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:58.740
 dead

00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.259
 and again

00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:01.240
 this unleashes

00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.940
 chaos

00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:03.000
 because the

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.579
 Sadducees

00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.319
 other religious

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.160
 leaders who were

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.019
 present didn't

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.180
 believe in the

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.700
 resurrection

00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:10.100
 but this isn't

00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:11.259
 quite like we see

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.000
 in the House of

00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.960
 Commons in Westminster

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.440
 so you've probably

00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.460
 seen clips of the

00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.380
 different parties of

00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:16.880
 the House of

00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:18.019
 Parliament shouting

00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.039
 across the benches

00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.600
 at each other

00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.980
 right laughing

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.679
 and passing

00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.759
 what I assume

00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.559
 are little jokes

00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.740
 about each other's

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.539
 policies and

00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.500
 character etc

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.399
 when it all starts

00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.159
 to get a bit heated

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:30.519
 in the in Parliament

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:32.199
 the speaker says

00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:32.980
 order

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:35.980
 and it may take a few

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.240
 moments but it goes

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.799
 quiet

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:41.240
 there is no speaker

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.359
 in this Jewish

00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:42.859
 courtroom

00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:44.919
 they are divided

00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:46.039
 and it gets so

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.819
 heated

00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.599
 the Romans

00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.679
 have to take

00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:49.319
 Paul away

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:49.899
 because it

00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:51.119
 became so

00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.559
 violent

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.359
 verse 10

00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:53.339
 says that they

00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.000
 feared he would

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.579
 be torn

00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.659
 to pieces

00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:58.720
 now put yourself

00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.240
 in Paul's

00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.539
 shoes

00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:02.039
 his own

00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.759
 countrymen

00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:05.039
 people who

00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.039
 he maybe even

00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.799
 studied with

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.839
 people who

00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.700
 he maybe stood

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.480
 shoulder to

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.200
 shoulder with

00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.059
 in debates

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.099
 as they were

00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.779
 praying in the

00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.099
 temple

00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.859
 people who

00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.799
 maybe he even

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.480
 looked up to

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:17.039
 I've just

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.559
 tried to kill

00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.160
 him twice

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:21.220
 can you imagine

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.200
 the betrayal he

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.700
 would feel

00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:25.120
 imagine the pain

00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:26.000
 he'd be in both

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.880
 physically and

00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.400
 emotionally

00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:30.460
 but I can also

00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:30.960
 imagine him

00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.400
 sitting there

00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.799
 thinking I

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.240
 used to be

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.860
 these guys

00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:36.319
 I have been

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.779
 on the other

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.299
 side

00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:39.200
 because Paul

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.880
 went from being

00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:41.039
 the persecutor

00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.680
 to the

00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.279
 persecuted

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:44.599
 Paul can

00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.440
 speak so

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:45.920
 well to

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.420
 these people

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:46.920
 because he

00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.480
 used to be

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.879
 in their

00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.379
 shoes

00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:50.660
 and many

00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.059
 of us will

00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.599
 remember a

00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.119
 time when we

00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:52.799
 weren't Christians

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:55.420
 we all know to

00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.259
 some extent what

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.220
 it's like not to

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.940
 know the truth

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.740
 about Jesus

00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:00.099
 and it should

00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.960
 give that should

00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.799
 give us a deep

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.240
 empathy and love

00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.639
 for people rather

00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.599
 than an attitude

00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.339
 of I'm better

00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.799
 than you

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.819
 because that's not

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.139
 true

00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:10.360
 it should

00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:11.160
 conjure in us

00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.120
 a love for a

00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.920
 world that is

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.680
 lost without

00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.180
 Jesus

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:17.280
 Paul must be

00:22:17.280 --> 00:22:18.520
 so hurt at

00:22:18.520 --> 00:22:19.040
 this point

00:22:19.040 --> 00:22:20.120
 but do you see

00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:20.720
 that God is not

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.140
 distant

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.820
 God cares for

00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:23.259
 his people

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.800
 look with me

00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.580
 at verse 11

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:26.040
 the following

00:22:26.040 --> 00:22:26.700
 night the Lord

00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:28.000
 stood near Paul

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.560
 and said

00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.820
 take courage

00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:31.080
 as you have

00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:31.900
 testified about

00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.700
 me in Jerusalem

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.820
 so you must

00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.780
 also testify

00:22:34.780 --> 00:22:36.000
 in Rome

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:38.380
 now from a

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.240
 human perspective

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.940
 we might be

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.640
 tempted to look

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.460
 at Paul's time

00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.019
 in Jerusalem

00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.759
 and think that

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.079
 it was an

00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:44.259
 evangelistic failure

00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:46.420
 we have no

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.519
 record that

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.319
 anyone came to

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.680
 faith

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:50.400
 the only thing

00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:51.180
 we know is

00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.759
 that chaos

00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.720
 and confusion

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.460
 ruled

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.900
 and yet Jesus

00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.819
 appears to Paul

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.039
 and encourages him

00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:00.000
 whilst this must

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.779
 be hard and

00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.519
 maybe confusing

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.839
 for Paul

00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:04.819
 this has been

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.740
 part of God's

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.859
 plan for the

00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.359
 spread of the

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.700
 gospel

00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.700
 from the very

00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.059
 beginning

00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.500
 remember back

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.480
 to Acts

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.120
 chapter 1

00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:12.660
 verse 8

00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.140
 where Jesus

00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.759
 said to his

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.039
 followers

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.559
 you will be

00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.180
 my witnesses

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.059
 in Jerusalem

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:17.299
 and in all

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.980
 Judea and

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.400
 Samaria

00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:18.900
 and to the

00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.640
 ends of the

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:19.980
 earth

00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.240
 all of this

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.880
 going on

00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.539
 is part of

00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.380
 God's plan

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.680
 that will take

00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.319
 the gospel

00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.640
 to places

00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.460
 of power

00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.140
 to people

00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.700
 in power

00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.620
 and to people

00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.440
 who aren't

00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:30.920
 in power

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.299
 why

00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.400
 because every

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.039
 single person

00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.859
 needs to hear

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.559
 about Jesus

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:38.359
 now when

00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:38.859
 you're feeling

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.599
 completely out

00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.200
 of place

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.819
 questioning

00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.599
 why you are

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.159
 where you are

00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:43.539
 questioning

00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.139
 maybe even

00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:44.579
 why you're

00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:44.859
 here

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.940
 why has

00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.379
 God put

00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:46.839
 you in

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.339
 the place

00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:47.720
 you are

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.240
 at that

00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.720
 specific

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.299
 time

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:51.899
 prayerfully

00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.460
 consider

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.399
 that you

00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.720
 have

00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.399
 opportunities

00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:54.899
 to share

00:23:54.899 --> 00:23:55.339
 the gospel

00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.000
 maybe that's

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.359
 why God

00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.740
 has placed

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.019
 you where

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.460
 you are

00:23:57.460 --> 00:24:00.019
 Paul is

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.319
 here in

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.639
 the midst

00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:00.940
 of this

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.299
 crowd

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.960
 who want

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.619
 him dead

00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.139
 why

00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:03.799
 to share

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.339
 the gospel

00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:07.000
 you may

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.359
 be in a

00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.819
 job that

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.319
 has no

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.719
 future

00:24:08.719 --> 00:24:09.500
 prospects

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.119
 you may

00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.479
 be looking

00:24:11.479 --> 00:24:11.839
 to move

00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.299
 house and

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.599
 it's just

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.199
 not coming

00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:13.699
 about and

00:24:13.699 --> 00:24:13.939
 you are

00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.159
 getting

00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.879
 frustrated

00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.479
 could it

00:24:15.479 --> 00:24:15.819
 be

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.959
 that God

00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:17.399
 has placed

00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.679
 you in

00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.299
 those social

00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:19.879
 networks

00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.979
 to share

00:24:20.979 --> 00:24:21.559
 Jesus with

00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:21.879
 people

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:24.339
 think and

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.659
 pray

00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:26.339
 why has

00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.899
 God placed

00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.379
 you where

00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:27.939
 you are

00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.959
 God wants

00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:29.739
 all people

00:24:29.739 --> 00:24:30.719
 to hear

00:24:30.719 --> 00:24:31.299
 about Jesus

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.740
 so maybe

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.180
 that's why

00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.419
 you are

00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:33.700
 in that

00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.119
 classroom

00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.419
 that you

00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:34.659
 really

00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:34.859
 don't

00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.240
 like

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.659
 maybe

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:36.980
 that's

00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.139
 why

00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:37.419
 you are

00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:37.799
 in that

00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.319
 particular

00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.099
 flat

00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.519
 with some

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.000
 housemates

00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.319
 that you

00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:40.599
 really

00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:40.960
 struggle

00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.279
 with

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.799
 maybe

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.200
 that's

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.339
 why

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.579
 you are

00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.039
 with work

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.419
 colleagues

00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:43.759
 who

00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.259
 just

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.779
 wind you

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.039
 up the

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.220
 wrong

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.579
 way

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.919
 share

00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:48.659
 Jesus

00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:48.960
 with

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.279
 people

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.740
 God's

00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.159
 ways

00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.899
 are not

00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:51.159
 our

00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:51.599
 ways

00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:54.039
 Jesus

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.539
 words

00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:54.980
 in verse

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.339
 11

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.039
 confirms

00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.500
 Paul's

00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:56.980
 own

00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.599
 understanding

00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.000
 of his

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.359
 calling

00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:58.720
 to go

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.359
 to Jerusalem

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.819
 from chapter

00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.319
 19

00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.059
 verse 21

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.359
 and the

00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:03.899
 word spoken

00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:04.259
 through the

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.899
 high priest

00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:05.839
 in chapter

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.319
 9

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.279
 verses 15

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.019
 to 16

00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.220
 Paul was

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.939
 set aside

00:25:09.939 --> 00:25:11.259
 to take

00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.740
 the gospel

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.119
 to the

00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.599
 Gentiles

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.139
 and he

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.519
 will

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.919
 suffer

00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.279
 for the

00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.639
 gospel

00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:16.700
 that happens

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.139
 as another

00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:17.659
 plot is

00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.059
 discovered

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:19.079
 in chapter

00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.659
 23

00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.359
 verses 12

00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.980
 to 22

00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.159
 to kill

00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.519
 Paul

00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.379
 and he

00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:23.659
 will

00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:24.159
 eventually

00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:24.700
 end up

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.139
 in Rome

00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:26.119
 God's

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.639
 ways

00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.319
 are not

00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:27.659
 our

00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.099
 ways

00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:30.139
 we

00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.399
 are not

00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:30.799
 promised

00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.179
 a bed

00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:31.659
 of roses

00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:33.539
 we're not

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.000
 promised

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.759
 a pain

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.439
 and suffering

00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:36.199
 free life

00:25:36.199 --> 00:25:36.779
 we are

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.319
 promised

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.259
 that a

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.799
 life

00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.579
 of humble

00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.079
 submission

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.719
 to Jesus

00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.679
 and faithfully

00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:42.319
 living for

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.259
 him will

00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.199
 lead to a

00:25:44.199 --> 00:25:44.599
 life of

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.000
 suffering

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.119
 and persecution

00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:47.119
 and rejection

00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:49.419
 but it will

00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:50.059
 also lead

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.899
 to people

00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.539
 hearing about

00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:51.879
 Jesus

00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:53.059
 and some

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.359
 of them

00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:53.859
 coming to

00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.240
 eternal

00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.719
 life in

00:25:54.719 --> 00:25:54.939
 him

00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:57.220
 God

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.660
 has a

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.019
 plan

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.259
 God

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.660
 has a

00:25:58.660 --> 00:25:58.960
 mission

00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.759
 and nothing

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.720
 no chaotic

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.220
 group of

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.039
 religious leaders

00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.920
 no Roman

00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.500
 commander

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.440
 no slander

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.820
 from your

00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.620
 work colleagues

00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:06.880
 no insults

00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.440
 from family

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.920
 or friend

00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.440
 members

00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:10.160
 no oppression

00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.220
 or persecution

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.039
 will ever

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.259
 stop God's

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.799
 plan from

00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.220
 happening

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:17.380
 we're not

00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.820
 all called

00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:18.140
 to do

00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.500
 something

00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.240
 spectacular

00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:21.000
 we're not

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.480
 all called

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.980
 to go to

00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.400
 the far

00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.960
 off land

00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.460
 and proclaim

00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:23.860
 Jesus

00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.420
 to hostile

00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:24.860
 people

00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.279
 but we

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:25.799
 are all

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.119
 called

00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.879
 to go

00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.179
 to the

00:26:27.179 --> 00:26:27.479
 people

00:26:27.479 --> 00:26:27.819
 who we

00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.000
 live

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.479
 next to

00:26:28.479 --> 00:26:29.859
 to live

00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.679
 faithfully

00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:32.079
 and to

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.539
 proclaim

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.000
 Jesus

00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.799
 to them

00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:36.539
 we all

00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:36.919
 know those

00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.459
 moments that

00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:37.799
 take us

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.500
 by surprise

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:38.979
 whether it's

00:26:38.979 --> 00:26:39.799
 in stories

00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.719
 movies

00:26:40.719 --> 00:26:41.759
 or in

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.439
 real life

00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:43.699
 we're left

00:26:43.699 --> 00:26:44.479
 with questions

00:26:44.479 --> 00:26:45.079
 and we are

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.839
 confused

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:47.559
 asking ourselves

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.079
 what good

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.559
 could come

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:48.979
 from any

00:26:48.979 --> 00:26:49.519
 of this

00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:51.519
 that's where

00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.000
 Paul found

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.639
 himself in a

00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.359
 similar situation

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:53.899
 this morning

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:55.200
 and we

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.620
 can learn

00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.019
 from how

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.540
 he dealt

00:26:56.540 --> 00:26:56.840
 with it

00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.060
 and do

00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:57.440
 the same

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:57.759
 in our

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.040
 lives

00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:58.259
 too

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.740
 Christians

00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.940
 always be

00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.380
 ready to

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:00.620
 give a

00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.100
 defense of

00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:01.620
 your faith

00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:03.160
 always be

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.720
 ready to

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.460
 tell people

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.160
 why you

00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:05.720
 have hope

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.180
 in Jesus

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:08.140
 and always

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.560
 remember

00:27:08.560 --> 00:27:09.680
 that God's

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.340
 ways are

00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:10.700
 not our

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.040
 ways

00:27:11.040 --> 00:27:12.360
 let us pray

00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:12.780
 together

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:17.099
 heavenly

00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.379
 heavenly father

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.920
 with the

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.779
 ups and

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.359
 downs of

00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:19.779
 life

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:22.180
 we realize

00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.639
 it's so

00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.220
 easy for

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.660
 us to

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.680
 feel that

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.139
 you have

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.519
 abandoned

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:25.980
 us

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:29.220
 we look

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.579
 at our

00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.059
 lives

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.379
 we look

00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:30.599
 at our

00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:30.859
 world

00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.139
 and we

00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:31.399
 think

00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:31.819
 that you

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.180
 maybe

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.500
 have

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:32.799
 turned

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.220
 away

00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.759
 father

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.180
 we thank

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.420
 you for

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:35.899
 the truth

00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:36.200
 of your

00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.399
 word

00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.639
 that you

00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:36.960
 never

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.279
 leave

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.440
 your

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.799
 people

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:39.819
 lord

00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.139
 would you

00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.680
 help us

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.279
 to live

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.700
 according

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.319
 to your

00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.599
 will

00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:44.539
 help us

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.220
 to have

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.079
 good

00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.720
 conversations

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.279
 with people

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.899
 about Jesus

00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:49.559
 help us

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.240
 to willingly

00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.180
 and openly

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.859
 share our

00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.259
 faith

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.759
 and point

00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.220
 people to

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.579
 the hope

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:54.819
 that we

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.099
 have

00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:55.839
 that eternal

00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.259
 hope

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.319
 eternal

00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.059
 life that

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.519
 is found

00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.180
 through Jesus

00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.079
 and his

00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.460
 death and

00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:00.899
 resurrection

00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:03.440
 and help

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:03.839
 us remember

00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.139
 that your

00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.480
 ways are

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.779
 not our

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.119
 ways

00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:07.019
 but lord

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.539
 doing this

00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.099
 by ourselves

00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.740
 is impossible

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:10.259
 we need

00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.639
 you by

00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.059
 your holy

00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.619
 spirit to

00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.000
 come and

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.339
 give us

00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.899
 strength

00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:13.940
 to give

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.099
 us

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.740
 opportunities

00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.299
 and to

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.599
 give us

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.019
 boldness

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.440
 to take

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:16.799
 them when

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.440
 they arise

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:19.200
 father help

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:19.579
 us be

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.019
 faithful

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.920
 as we

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.480
 serve you

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.639
 in Jesus

00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:23.019
 name we

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.279
 pray

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.399
 amen