WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:04.379 Let me invite you to turn there in the Pew Bible, the page numbers in the bulletin. 00:00:05.820 --> 00:00:10.220 Continuing our series in the book of Acts this summer, looking at Acts 19. 00:00:24.900 --> 00:00:26.920 Let me read this text for us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.460 And Paul entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:43.679 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the way before the congregation, 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:50.079 he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 00:00:50.879 --> 00:00:56.519 This continued for two years so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:07.260 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick. 00:01:07.820 --> 00:01:11.300 And their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:20.899 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, 00:01:21.399 --> 00:01:21.739 saying, 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:25.640 I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims. 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:29.340 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Siva were doing this. 00:01:30.200 --> 00:01:31.719 But the evil spirit answered them, 00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:33.439 Jesus I know, 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:35.659 and Paul I recognize, 00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:37.299 but who are you? 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:41.539 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:44.099 mastered all of them and overpowered them, 00:01:44.539 --> 00:01:47.280 so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:51.159 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:52.480 both Jews and Greeks, 00:01:52.739 --> 00:01:54.819 and fear fell upon them all, 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:57.400 and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 00:01:57.400 --> 00:01:57.840 Also, 00:01:59.160 --> 00:02:01.040 many of those who were now believers came, 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:03.200 confessing and divulging their practices, 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:08.200 and a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all, 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:13.740 and they counted the value of them and found it came to 50,000 pieces of silver. 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:21.020 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. 00:02:22.480 --> 00:02:23.420 Let's pray together. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:25.419 Lord, 00:02:25.419 --> 00:02:26.539 Lord, 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:31.199 we have just heard that your word is mighty and it prevails. 00:02:31.859 --> 00:02:32.399 So God, 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:42.060 we ask that this word that we have read and the message that it contains by your Holy Spirit would prevail in our midst this morning. 00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:43.339 And Lord, 00:02:43.399 --> 00:02:52.539 that we would find what our hearts desire and who you are calling us to be more and more as we turn to you and your word this morning. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:53.620 Amen. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:01.919 So where does spiritual power come from? 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:07.780 The New Testament is clear that every believer is engaged in a conflict, 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:11.479 not just with sinfulness and brokenness outside of ourselves, 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:14.979 but also with sinfulness and brokenness inside. 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:17.819 Jesus himself said, 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:18.359 in this world, 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:19.219 you will have trial. 00:03:19.899 --> 00:03:20.319 In other words, 00:03:20.359 --> 00:03:22.060 you can expect there to be challenges, 00:03:22.359 --> 00:03:23.000 temptations, 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:23.699 conflicts. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:27.199 So where do we get the power to meet these challenges? 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:29.399 Now, 00:03:29.459 --> 00:03:29.659 of course, 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:30.979 we live in a very pragmatic age, 00:03:31.959 --> 00:03:32.359 don't we? 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:34.060 In other words, 00:03:34.140 --> 00:03:34.900 if it works, 00:03:35.220 --> 00:03:36.060 then we'll do it. 00:03:36.200 --> 00:03:37.080 Then we'll trust it. 00:03:37.760 --> 00:03:38.360 And this means, 00:03:38.440 --> 00:03:38.600 I think, 00:03:38.640 --> 00:03:44.740 that we're always looking for new techniques or new methods to sort of get us where we want to go. 00:03:45.160 --> 00:03:47.780 And I think that's true in the spiritual realm as well. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:52.740 I think most people on the street would agree that they need some sort of help spiritually. 00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:57.560 But that help usually takes the form of something that we do. 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:01.620 Trying out the new yoga studio down the street, 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:05.020 a new meditation routine, 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:06.600 the latest self-help book, 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:09.040 whether it's 10 Steps to Overcoming Anxiety, 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:11.540 or Three Keys to Unlocking the Real You, 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:12.400 or whatever it is. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.560 But is all that really the answer? 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:19.300 Well, 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.720 I think Luke has something to show us this morning about real spiritual power. 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:24.319 And where it comes from. 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:29.079 And even though the examples in our text this morning are perhaps a bit extreme, 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:32.199 they highlight some important points for all of us. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:34.579 And as we walk through this text this morning, 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:35.860 we're going to see that as a culture, 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:38.340 we've actually been getting it all wrong. 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:42.160 And we're going to see where real, 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:47.480 lasting spiritual vitality and spiritual strength come from. 00:04:48.460 --> 00:04:50.740 So let's look down through our passage. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:53.420 We're just going to walk through it step by step this morning. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:56.560 And I think the first thing that we see in this passage is that 00:04:56.560 --> 00:05:01.180 lasting spiritual power resides in the Word of God. 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:02.939 Look again at verses 8 through 12. 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:08.819 Here we see Paul engaged in a tireless ministry of teaching and reasoning 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:12.019 and explaining the message about the Kingdom of God. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:15.279 Luke tells us that for two whole years, 00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:20.919 Paul uses the lecture hall of a man named Tyrannus in the city of Ephesus. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:24.079 Now, it's interesting that the name Tyrannus actually means the tyrant. 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:27.139 One wonders whether his students gave them that name 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:31.359 or whether he sort of took it upon himself to sort of instill fear in the hearts of his students. 00:05:31.359 --> 00:05:32.019 But there you go. 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:36.459 Paul sort of rents out his lecture hall midday to do some work. 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:39.739 And if you look at the footnote of your Bible, if you're looking at the ESV anyway, 00:05:39.739 --> 00:05:45.319 some of the manuscripts add that Paul taught there daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:52.719 And a lot of New Testament scholars and historians of the first century think that's probably fairly accurate. 00:05:53.539 --> 00:05:58.199 Because that was the typical time of the day when most people were taking an afternoon rest. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:02.899 It was typical in the ancient world to work in the cool parts of the morning, 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:05.019 to rest during the heat of the day, 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:07.259 and then to return to work in the late afternoon and evening. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:09.680 Some countries, this is still the practice. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:12.680 If you go to Spain, there's a long afternoon siesta 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:14.620 where people take a break in the middle of the day. 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:17.060 In fact, one historian of the ancient world wrote that 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:19.159 in Rome during this period in the first century, 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:22.879 there were probably more people asleep at 1 p.m. in the afternoon 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:25.039 than in 1 a.m. at night. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:31.300 But here we see Paul during this lull in the middle of the day, 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:34.760 after he had been laboring in the marketplace as a tent maker, 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:38.360 when no one else was using Tyrannus' lecture hall, 00:06:39.320 --> 00:06:42.060 here's Paul busy at a different kind of work, 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:47.020 reasoning daily about the kingdom of God, 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:51.180 about the message of God's in-breaking reign, 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:54.520 and about God's King, Jesus Christ. 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:59.460 And I think this is instructive for us in at least two ways. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:03.180 First, isn't it interesting that Paul found the time 00:07:03.180 --> 00:07:06.240 in his cultural moment when people were free 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.280 to hear and to study and to learn, 00:07:09.820 --> 00:07:11.180 and he took advantage of it. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:15.939 I wonder, friends, do we do the same thing with our schedules? 00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:20.379 When do you and I intentionally set aside time 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:24.740 to study and engage and wrestle with the word of God's kingdom? 00:07:26.540 --> 00:07:28.620 Not just personally and privately, 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:30.240 although that's critical and necessary, 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:31.100 but also with others. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:35.319 And you have to consider here that no doubt it was very costly for Paul. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:39.540 I mean, consider he was doing manual labor all morning, 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:44.639 sweating in the marketplace on those hot Asia Minor mornings, 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:47.879 and about to go back to it in the afternoon, 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:51.300 and yet he shows up at the lecture hall, 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.319 excited and ready to go. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:57.000 And just as it was costly and challenging for Paul, 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:58.659 it's going to be costly and challenging for us, 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:00.479 there's no doubt, to rise early enough 00:08:00.479 --> 00:08:02.599 to engage with the word. 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:04.800 Just set apart an evening in the midst of a busy week. 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:05.719 It's going to be challenging, 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:07.120 and there will be tiring days. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:11.360 But friends, don't you see here that Paul's experience of the word, 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:13.980 as it took root and as it grew, 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:15.540 was worth it. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:21.160 Look at the power that the word had in verse 10. 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:23.459 It has this regional effect. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.759 Luke says that all the residents of Asia, 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:27.759 that is Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.139 heard the word of the Lord. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:35.159 As people came to this regional hub of Ephesus, 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:39.159 this great financial and political and spiritual center of the region, 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:44.339 this city where power was on everybody's minds, 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:48.159 and particularly as it was a city somewhat in decline, 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:49.819 financially and politically, 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.319 spiritual power was on everyone's minds. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:56.219 And people would come to this regional hub, 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:59.919 and they would hear Paul reasoning in the hall of Tyrannus, 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:02.860 and they themselves would become followers of Jesus, 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:06.659 and then they would take the word with them to their hometowns. 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:09.779 And in fact, that's probably how some of the churches 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.940 that we learn about in other parts of the New Testament got started. 00:09:12.800 --> 00:09:15.480 Paul writes a letter to the church at Colossae, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.840 and that was a church he didn't found. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:20.340 That was a church that was probably founded by someone who came, 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:21.240 heard Paul in Ephesus, 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.779 and then took the message with him. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.600 We learn in the book of Revelation 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:28.220 that there are many churches in this part of Asia Minor, 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:31.220 and one wonders whether it was through Paul's engagement 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:32.639 with the power of the word here, 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:34.960 in this time, in this space of two to three years, 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:37.060 that actually those churches took root. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:43.500 But it's not just the time that Paul invests 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.420 that's instructive for us. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:45.500 Look at Paul's method. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:48.820 Luke again points out that Paul was reasoning, 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:51.480 reasoning daily. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:55.920 And that word is something like maybe what we would say dialoguing, 00:09:56.680 --> 00:09:57.860 engaging with questions, 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.420 interacting with his listeners. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.800 You see, Paul in evangelism, 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:04.860 in this sort of public forum, 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:09.560 was always constantly listening and responding with others, 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:11.460 even others who would have disagreed, 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:13.980 even others who would have had profoundly different answers 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.539 to the questions that he was positing. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:20.519 You know, we often think that the way 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:23.279 to really go deep spiritually, 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:27.919 man, how do I actually get deep down rooted 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.240 in the life of God? 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:31.939 We often think that the way we should really do that 00:10:31.939 --> 00:10:34.120 is to become a hermit, right? 00:10:34.219 --> 00:10:36.259 And move far out into the woods 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:39.039 where we can never be disturbed 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:41.439 by those pesky people asking their questions 00:10:41.439 --> 00:10:44.240 and those pesky kids who always want to eat. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:46.539 Why do my children always want food? 00:10:46.680 --> 00:10:48.220 I have better things to do with my time. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:49.000 I want to go think. 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.860 Where we can be away from distraction 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.240 and the busyness of life. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:55.840 We think that, oh, if I could just get that, 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.580 then I could really grow. 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:58.960 Then I could really go deep. 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:03.440 Now, solitude's good every once in a while. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:05.320 We see that in Jesus's own ministry, don't we? 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:07.820 But you know, the thought that permanently 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:09.060 getting away from people 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:11.720 as the key to real spiritual depth and growth and power, 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:13.000 that if we could only get away, 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.980 then we'd be able to grow, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.720 friends, I posit that that's an idea 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:17.779 we get more from Henry David Thoreau 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.940 than from Jesus. 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:23.259 You see, the way to really grow, 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.779 to find spiritual vitality, 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:26.379 isn't to find a lonely cabin 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:29.299 on Walden Pond away from society. 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:33.259 No, the example of Jesus and Paul 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:35.379 is that of rich engagement. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:40.340 This week, a friend recently pointed out to me 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.799 that after Paul's two to three-year stay in Ephesus, 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.379 he would soon thereafter write 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:47.639 one of the most profound books of the New Testament 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.899 and probably one of the most influential documents 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.259 ever written in human history, 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.899 the Letter to the Romans. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.620 And if you're familiar with that book, 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:59.720 can't you hear in Romans those conversations, 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:02.700 those dialogues that Paul must have had 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:04.899 in the hall of Tyrannus? 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.960 Look through that letter again 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:09.000 and look at all the questions 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.259 that he's responding to 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.360 as he works his way through. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.580 What shall we say then? 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:14.879 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:16.860 By no means. 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:18.420 What then? 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:20.139 Are we to sin because we're not under law, 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:21.000 but under grace? 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.220 Questions Paul must have heard 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:26.899 and engaged with day after day in Ephesus. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.860 And what's the lesson? 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:30.740 The lesson is that the best theology 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:32.459 and the best spirituality 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:36.579 is forged on the anvil of rich engagements 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.740 in the Word with others. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.759 And friends, even especially with those 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.059 who don't yet believe. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.039 Now, we've said that the first thing 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:48.759 we see in this passage 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:51.220 is that spiritual power resides in the Word of God. 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:53.379 And in verses 11 and 12, 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:56.279 we see God giving confirmation 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:58.699 of Paul and his message 00:12:58.699 --> 00:13:00.399 through what Luke calls 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:02.419 extraordinary miracles. 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.899 Extraordinary miracles. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.500 Now, here's the thing we need to see. 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:11.139 That when Luke says extraordinary here, 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:13.519 you know, when you and I use the word extraordinary, 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.199 what do we mean? 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.480 We mean, oh, it was wonderful. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.299 It was breathtaking. 00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.279 It was super duper. 00:13:17.839 --> 00:13:18.620 It was extraordinary. 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:21.620 But Luke actually literally means 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:23.240 out of the ordinary. 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:25.100 As in, this sort of thing 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:27.220 didn't actually happen all the time. 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.799 It's not as if when Luke rocked up to a new city, 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.299 he started sweating in his handkerchiefs 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.060 and handing them out. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:34.799 This wasn't his sort of typical mode of operation. 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.860 In fact, in all of Luke's writing, 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.659 this sort of sort of massive demonstration 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:41.560 of miraculous healing 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:43.879 seems to be something that only happens 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.860 with Jesus and with Peter 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:48.480 in this particular kind of way. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:52.279 Here in Ephesus, it seems that people 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:54.100 were literally taking the sweat rags 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:56.580 that Paul would have worn around his head or waist 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.899 while working at his tent making. 00:13:58.180 --> 00:14:00.180 That's what those words in verse 12 actually mean. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.700 His sort of work clothes. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.399 That they were taking those, 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.360 I don't know how they got them, 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.539 and they were bringing them to people 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.639 who were sick or demon possessed 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.620 and the people would get better. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.620 You know, and it's funny, 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:15.080 it's not even clear that Paul 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:17.080 even approved of the practice. 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:18.860 Luke just says it was happening. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:21.860 What are we to make of all this? 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:25.800 Well, friends, isn't it stunning 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:30.259 to see that God in his mercy 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:32.720 and in his condescension 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:35.940 would choose at this time 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.100 and at this place in history 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.280 to act in this way? 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:41.420 That God's willing to stoop 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:45.080 to use a somewhat strange 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:47.900 and we might even call superstitious practice 00:14:47.900 --> 00:14:53.220 in order to make his grace and power known. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.639 And the real effect of such miracles 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:00.860 was to prove as a giant confirmation 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:03.700 of the message that Paul proclaimed. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:07.259 God was doing stuff like this 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.480 in that massively confused 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.400 and spiritually mixed up city of Ephesus 00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:12.480 so that people would stop 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.560 and listen to what Paul had to say. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.440 So that people would stop 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:21.560 and listen to the message about Jesus. 00:15:23.140 --> 00:15:24.060 The one who had come 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:24.980 not merely to take away 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:26.200 their sicknesses and afflictions, 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.640 but to take away the much deeper, 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:30.620 more serious spiritual problem, 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:33.620 our alienation from the kingdom of God 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.560 because of our sin. 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.820 So in verses 8 through 12, 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.440 Luke's showing us 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:43.519 that spiritual power resides in the word 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.539 and he shows us how God 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:46.039 is confirming that message 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:48.080 through these extraordinary miracles 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.320 through Paul. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.240 And that means the more we read, 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:52.960 the more we study, 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:53.700 the more we memorize, 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.940 the more we discuss 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:56.340 God's word together, 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.360 the more we let the gospel dwell 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.220 in us richly, 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.060 as Paul will say, 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.159 in another place, 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.320 the more we find 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:04.279 the vitality and power 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.240 that we need to face 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.800 the challenges we face, 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:08.200 whether they're personal 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:09.720 or whether they're missional 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:11.159 or whether they're ecclesiological, 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.620 whatever they happen to be. 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.759 But Luke actually has more 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.500 to show us here than just that. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.240 Because you see, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.600 if we just stopped there, 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.580 it would be so easy to think 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.879 that studying the Bible 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.720 was merely about getting 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.299 lots of ideas in our heads. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:32.000 And that the point 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.740 was just to sort of 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.879 get all these facts 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.820 and ideas in our head 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:36.059 that we could then employ 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.460 or use or implement 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:37.980 or whatever, 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.980 that the Bible would just be 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.980 like a big toolbox 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:42.039 that we could pull out 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.580 at various times 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.779 and in various places 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.840 depending on which job 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.779 we needed to get done. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.480 Now don't get me wrong, 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.440 there's nothing wrong, 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.240 obviously, 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.480 with immersing yourself 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.259 in the truth claims 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.720 of the Bible. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.080 In fact, 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.939 we ought to be doing that 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:58.000 more and more. 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.240 But you see, 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:02.340 it can't stop there. 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.619 And if our engagement 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.359 with the Word 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.579 becomes just that, 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.319 hasn't the Bible 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.940 just become 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.980 one more self-help book? 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.400 One more technique 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.740 that we have to master 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.839 and one more pragmatic solution 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.200 to put beside all the rest? 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.359 But you see, 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:23.139 the message of the Bible, 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.459 friends, 00:17:23.479 --> 00:17:24.319 isn't ultimately 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.599 about a set of tools 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.439 and tips 00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:28.179 that we master. 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:30.859 No, 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:31.619 it's a message 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.679 about a person 00:17:32.679 --> 00:17:33.639 who has come 00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:35.339 to master us. 00:17:39.199 --> 00:17:39.939 That's what Luke 00:17:39.939 --> 00:17:40.439 shows us 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:41.859 in verses 13 through 17, 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:43.479 this episode 00:17:43.479 --> 00:17:45.000 about the seven sons 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.740 of Siva. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.179 And what's happening here 00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:48.599 is that these 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:50.500 itinerant Jewish exorcists 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.960 are trying to harness 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.339 the power of Jesus 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:55.380 apart from a real relationship 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:56.519 with Jesus. 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.119 Now, 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.640 before we dive 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.240 into that thought, 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.099 let me just add 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.019 as a sidebar 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:05.839 that I know 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.420 the idea 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.519 of evil spirits 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.700 can sound a bit 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:10.579 implausible 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.480 to many people 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.059 in our culture. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:12.740 Maybe that's 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.460 an understatement. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.099 Many people believe 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.220 that belief 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.819 in such things 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.880 is irrational 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.120 and probably 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.700 more than a bit 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.100 primitive, 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:20.660 right? 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.140 I mean, 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.720 come on, 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:23.160 in this day and age, 00:18:23.760 --> 00:18:24.660 belief in the devil 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.800 and evil spirits, 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.800 how could one 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.800 believe in such things? 00:18:29.580 --> 00:18:30.360 But if you're wrestling 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:30.900 with that idea, 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.580 let me just suggest 00:18:31.580 --> 00:18:32.520 a couple of quick things 00:18:32.520 --> 00:18:33.380 and then we'll move on. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.060 First, 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.520 the idea is actually 00:18:36.520 --> 00:18:38.460 not that irrational 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:40.120 if you think about it. 00:18:41.260 --> 00:18:41.820 After all, 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.420 if you believe 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.180 in a supernatural 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.960 personal good, 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.799 God, 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.940 and there are lots 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.759 of really good reasons 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.819 for believing in God, 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.559 then it's not necessarily 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:53.059 irrational or illogical 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.240 to believe in supernatural 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:56.019 personal evil, 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.740 is it? 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.940 And as far as the belief 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.819 in evil spirits 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.559 being primitive 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.640 or backward, 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.720 I think it's helpful 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.180 on that note 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.620 to consider 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.220 that the writers 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.160 of the New Testament 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.380 actually don't think 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.700 that absolutely everything 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.420 is caused 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.180 by a spirit 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.840 or a demon. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.579 they're not thinking 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.680 that under every bush 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.299 and shade 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.240 there's a little sprite 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.340 that's going to pop out 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.279 and cause mischief. 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.100 And actually, 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.319 if you look at verse 12 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.640 in our text this morning, 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.920 you actually see Luke 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.660 very carefully distinguishing 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:31.200 between physical sickness 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.600 and spiritual affliction. 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.059 And you see this 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.799 over and over 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.700 and over and over again 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:37.240 in the New Testament. 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:37.880 In fact, 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.319 the New Testament 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.440 actually has an incredibly 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:41.660 robust picture of reality. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:44.240 a picture of reality 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.259 where there are physical, 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.440 emotional, 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.640 social, 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.400 psychological, 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.019 and yes, 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.620 spiritual forces at work. 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:52.880 Now, friends, 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.720 you're welcome to call 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.860 that a primitive picture 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.480 of reality, 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.360 but I don't know, 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.140 in my estimation, 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.460 that seems quite sophisticated 00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:00.120 and quite robust. 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.120 And actually, 00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:04.400 sort of not entrapped 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.160 by the limitations 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.500 that we sort of arbitrarily 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.540 place on reality. 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:11.379 Well, anyway, 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.879 if you want to hear more 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.259 about that, 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.200 come talk to me afterwards. 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:14.960 I'd be happy to 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.039 bat ideas around. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.180 Come back to our text. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:17.839 You know, 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.180 one wonders in reading 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.000 this sort of story 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.180 about the seven sons of Siva 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.379 if Luke is indulging 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:24.000 in a bit of dark comedy here. 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:24.680 Right? 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.059 I'm glad that some of you 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.500 laughed when we read this story. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.819 Maybe it was uncomfortable laugh 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.299 because we were talking 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:29.799 about demons, 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.460 but you know, 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.659 I think it's meant to be 00:20:31.659 --> 00:20:32.779 a little bit funny. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.460 These seven brothers 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.299 hear about Jesus 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.220 and they decide 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.339 they're going to try it out. 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.200 Why not? 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.359 Let's put it into our repertoire. 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.659 And no doubt, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.359 these guys have been 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.539 making a name for themselves, 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.619 trying to gain influence 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:45.079 and wealth 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.039 through practicing magic 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.319 and performing exorcisms. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.500 And you know, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.700 if their father, Siva, 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.859 was actually a part 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.119 of the high priestly family, 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.799 then you've got a picture 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.579 of these guys 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.819 who are far from home, 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.700 dabbling in pagan magic 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.419 and trying to make themselves 00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:00.480 out to be a power 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.599 to be reckoned with. 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:07.219 But in this encounter, 00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:08.559 this power encounter, 00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:09.719 the evil spirit says, 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.619 Jesus, I know, 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.480 and Paul, I recognize, 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:14.099 but who in the world are you? 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.879 And these seven sons 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:19.240 get beat up and bruised 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.819 and sent running naked 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.339 and wounded. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.799 And do you see 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.939 what Luke wants us to see? 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:28.680 that the sons of Siva 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:30.019 are trying to harness 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:32.820 the vitality and power of Jesus 00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:35.779 apart from a real relationship with him. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.779 Now, of course, 00:21:39.820 --> 00:21:41.519 this is an extreme example, right? 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.480 But you have to see 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.220 that this is a danger 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.380 that we all face. 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:47.700 Jonathan Edwards, 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.740 in the midst of the Great Awakening 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.440 in the 18th century, 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:51.080 when all sorts of spiritual renewals 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:52.320 and revivals were going on, 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.080 spent a lot of time 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:54.200 considering this question. 00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:55.200 What's the difference 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.319 between a person 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.279 who's merely religious 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.620 and a really, 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.380 truly spiritual person? 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.640 Between someone 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:05.380 who has an exterior belief 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.680 and acknowledgement in God 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.620 and between someone 00:22:07.620 --> 00:22:09.240 who actually knows God. 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:12.740 And his conclusion was this, 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.539 that the religious person 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:17.460 finds God useful, 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.559 but the truly spiritual person 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:22.000 finds God beautiful. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.059 In other words, 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:26.880 the religious person 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:29.340 uses God to get things, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.380 whether it's comfort 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.960 or status or control 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.580 or power or prestige. 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:36.600 But the spiritual person 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:38.559 adores God for who he is. 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:41.000 Perfectly good, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.660 wise, 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.340 powerful, 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.019 holy, 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:43.759 glorious. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.380 The satisfier of the soul. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:49.860 The religious person 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:51.000 sees God as a means 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.240 to something else, 00:22:52.760 --> 00:22:54.020 and the spiritual person 00:22:54.020 --> 00:22:55.500 sees God not as a means, 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.120 but as an end. 00:22:58.040 --> 00:22:58.540 And in fact, 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.400 as the end, 00:22:59.540 --> 00:23:00.420 the great goal 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.300 of everything else. 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.660 And do you see 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.620 how the sons of Siva 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.560 were trying merely 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.700 to use God 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.980 as a means here 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.900 for their own ends, 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.460 for power, 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.420 for prestige, 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.440 maybe even 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.779 for a bit 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.740 of monetary gain? 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:16.960 And friends, 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.360 do you see 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.320 how we can fall 00:23:18.320 --> 00:23:20.539 into the same exact trap? 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.539 Of course, 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:24.039 it looks different 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.640 on the outside, 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.140 doesn't it? 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.060 But you know, 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.880 whenever we say, 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.259 God, 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:28.380 I'll follow you 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.980 or I'll submit to you 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.539 if, 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.700 if, 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.940 if you take away 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.460 this problem 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.320 I'm having at work, 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.500 if you help me 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.300 find someone to marry 00:23:39.300 --> 00:23:39.960 so I won't have 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.539 to be alone, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:43.680 if you make my life 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.839 just generally comfortable, 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.279 you know, 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.839 not rich or anything, 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.420 no money, 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.000 no problems, 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.500 I just want to be comfortable, 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.039 just give me a life 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.539 that's not that hard, 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.159 God. 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:54.879 If you can do that, 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:57.379 well then I'll submit 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.279 to you and obey you. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:00.839 But you know, 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.200 that's a bit obvious, 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.619 isn't it? 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.839 We sort of all see that. 00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.500 But there can even be 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.920 more subtler forms of it. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.659 I mean, 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.660 when you think of what it means 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.540 to be a Christian, 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.480 wouldn't we all say 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.220 that what it means 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.840 to be a Christian 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:15.960 is to have Jesus 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.640 become your Lord 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.519 and your Savior? 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.540 And of course, 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:19.779 friends, 00:24:19.800 --> 00:24:20.720 that is very true. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.980 But the deeper question 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.640 to ask is, 00:24:24.800 --> 00:24:26.019 is Christ your treasure? 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:31.019 Do you come to him 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.940 not just because of 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:33.540 something he offers, 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.540 because he offers you something, 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:38.879 but because he himself 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:40.779 is desirable? 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.720 Because you want him 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.579 for who he is 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.920 and not just for what he gives. 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:52.180 And that's where real spiritual power 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:54.559 and vitality come from. 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:58.359 When we stop using Jesus 00:24:58.359 --> 00:25:00.599 and we start really knowing him. 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:04.759 Now, you might ask, 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.539 how do I get there? 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.619 How does Christ 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.579 become my treasure? 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.359 Well, above all, 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:13.819 you have to see 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.899 what he's done for you. 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.579 The seven sons of Siva 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.759 took the name of Jesus 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.539 on their lips 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:22.079 and went charging after evil, 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.379 and they got beat up 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.379 and ran away. 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:27.440 But friends, 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.260 Jesus Christ 00:25:28.260 --> 00:25:30.680 didn't just take our name 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.560 on his lips, 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:33.500 but took our very nature 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.360 on himself. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.760 And he went charging 00:25:37.760 --> 00:25:39.540 headlong after evil. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.480 Our evil, 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.480 our sin. 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.820 And he went forth 00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:47.120 into our darkness. 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.500 And in that great combat, 00:25:48.760 --> 00:25:48.980 friends, 00:25:49.060 --> 00:25:50.120 in that great conflict, 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.520 Jesus could have conquered 00:25:51.520 --> 00:25:52.480 with a single word. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.099 He could have sent 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.519 the darkness flying 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.400 without a fight. 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.960 But instead, 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:02.940 he was voluntarily crushed 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.259 and bruised 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.220 and wounded 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.099 and stripped naked. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.900 And in that great conflict, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.420 when Satan seemed 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.299 to have the upper hand, 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.059 he didn't run, 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.519 but he stayed. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.680 The innocent one 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:22.000 underwent the penalty of evil 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.079 so that sinful men 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.539 and women 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.220 could be given 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.359 the gift of innocence. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:29.119 And not just innocence, 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.019 but wholeness 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.160 and healing 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.480 and life 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.720 and identity 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.500 and purpose 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.160 and freedom. 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.539 And when you see 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.740 that he did all that 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.279 for you, 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:43.180 when you can see that, 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.000 friends, 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.680 doesn't he start 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.380 to become 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.500 your treasure? 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:49.359 if Christ 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.480 would stride 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.660 into the darkness 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.660 of spiritual evil 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.440 for me 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.500 in my place 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.480 and take all 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.220 of its weight 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:58.539 so that I could 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:00.059 step into spiritual life. 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.299 Friends, 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.400 don't you want to love 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.720 someone like that? 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.220 And don't you find him 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.099 not just a means 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:11.220 to some other end. 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.539 Don't you find him 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.400 to be the great end, 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.920 the great goal 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.519 of your life? 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.980 So brothers and sisters, 00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:24.160 you know him that way. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.820 Do you want to know him 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:28.220 that way? 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.680 Hmm? 00:27:31.780 --> 00:27:32.519 The beauty is 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.980 he's not out 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.900 to make it hard on you. 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:36.040 He's not playing hard 00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:36.460 to get. 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.480 But by his Holy Spirit 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.720 is welcoming all 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.440 who will come 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.720 and receive him. 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.539 Friend, 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.319 even this morning 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.299 you can pray to him 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.220 and ask him 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.980 to not just become useful 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.900 but to become beautiful 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.579 to your heart. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.980 If you want to talk 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.279 to someone 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.099 after this service, 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.200 do it. 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.980 Pray with someone 00:27:57.980 --> 00:28:00.160 as you want to see 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.860 that reality 00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:01.360 more and more 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:01.940 in your life. 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.440 That's where true 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.559 spiritual vitality 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.160 comes from. 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:11.480 Now there's one last thing 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.440 that Luke wants us to see. 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.100 He's shown us 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.400 the importance 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.100 of knowing Jesus 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:16.240 but in the last three verses 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.779 of our text 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.920 he's going to show us 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:19.060 what knowing Jesus 00:28:19.060 --> 00:28:19.840 sort of looks like 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:20.340 in practice 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.080 on the ground. 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:24.200 In verses 18 through 20 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.420 we see that actually 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.900 knowing Christ 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:28.240 means 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.880 a lifestyle 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:30.620 of repentance. 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:34.480 A true relationship 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.940 with Christ 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.480 is characterized 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.839 by deep repentance. 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.240 That's what's going on 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.299 as the Ephesian Christians 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.680 burn their magic books 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.779 and divulge 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.380 their practices. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.360 These were things 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:44.660 that they had clung to 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.259 who knows 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.299 for how many years 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.240 for power 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.259 and for security 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.000 and for protection 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.839 and for their identity. 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:50.420 In fact, 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.140 the city of Ephesus 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.839 was so wrapped up 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.819 in the occult 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:55.039 that in the ancient world 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.120 Ephesian writings 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:57.079 was like a nickname 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.099 for spell books. 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.039 This was part 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:00.519 of their city's heritage 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.799 to be involved 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.039 in this kind of thing. 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:04.519 And now, 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.099 having seen 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.759 how worthy 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.339 and awesome 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.399 and good Jesus is, 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.519 they can utterly 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:10.220 do away with those things 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:12.319 and make a clean break. 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.740 A couple things 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.480 to notice here. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.480 Notice, friends, 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.399 that this is believers 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.220 doing this. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:22.299 That they had become 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.740 believers 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:24.039 and as they grew 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.859 to see more and more 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.019 of who God is in Christ, 00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:27.740 they actually turned away 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.579 more and more 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.779 from things 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.839 that stole their life. 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:35.959 This was an ongoing thing. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.779 This was an event 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.839 that Luke describes here, 00:29:37.899 --> 00:29:38.059 yes, 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:38.559 but you see, 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.240 the turning away 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.839 from false hopes 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:44.259 and from sinful practices, 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.939 this is something 00:29:44.939 --> 00:29:46.379 we do more and more 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.279 and on and on 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:49.079 as we follow Jesus. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.679 As you see God 00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.279 as he is. 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:54.980 Notice, too, 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:56.459 how specific this is 00:29:56.459 --> 00:29:57.879 in these last few verses. 00:29:58.699 --> 00:29:59.279 The confession 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.099 and repentance here 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.439 wasn't sort of a general thing, 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.539 that they weren't content 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.480 to sort of get together 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.359 and sort of make 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:06.379 a general acknowledgement 00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:07.179 that they were sinners 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:07.799 and needed grace. 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.399 That was true. 00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:10.399 And yet here, 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.559 they actually took objects, 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.419 actual things in their lives 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:15.659 that needed to be done away with 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.480 and they brought them 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.299 out into the open 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:18.719 and they got rid of them. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.579 And they actually got rid of them 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.099 in such a way 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.019 that no one else 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.500 could be caught up in them. 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.359 Friend, 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.439 I wonder if you have someone 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:30.880 that you can do this with. 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.080 What I mean is, 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:33.660 do you have someone 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.400 in your life 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.480 that you can make 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.779 open and honest 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:39.900 and concrete confession to? 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.600 Do you have someone 00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:44.640 who can pray with you 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.660 and walk with you 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.820 as you turn your back 00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:47.840 on the old things, 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.840 your old life 00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.820 that used to be 00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:50.380 your comfort 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.960 and power and pleasure? 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.539 Do you have someone 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:54.019 who can sort of sit with you 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.920 and hear that 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.840 and pray with you 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:56.600 and walk with you 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.919 as you step into more 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.939 and more the new life 00:30:58.939 --> 00:31:00.099 that you have in Christ? 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.240 I would encourage 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.059 all of us, friends, 00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:05.359 to find someone, 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.259 one of the pastors 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.879 or elders, 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:10.059 a small group leader, 00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:10.959 a Sunday school teacher, 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.539 a trusted, 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.559 mature Christian friend, 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.659 find someone 00:31:13.659 --> 00:31:15.419 that you can make 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:17.679 this open confession to 00:31:17.679 --> 00:31:19.019 in a practical way. 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:21.599 because God uses 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.660 this kind of open, 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:24.059 specific confession 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:26.099 to break the power 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:26.539 of guilt 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.400 and ongoing sin 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.180 in our lives. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.319 But the last thing 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:32.940 we see about the sort 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.319 of repentance 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.000 that characterizes 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.740 those who really know 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.200 Jesus here 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.180 is that it's costly. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.639 That it's costly. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.980 Luke says that the books 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.660 they burned 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:43.440 amounted to 50,000 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.299 silver pieces. 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:47.079 One silver piece 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.700 was one day's wage 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.759 for a common worker. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.200 It's been a long time 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.700 since I've taken 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.519 a math class. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.440 But if my math is right, 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:57.940 that's 137 years 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.960 of wages 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:01.440 that went up in smoke 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:03.059 in one day 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.299 in Ephesus. 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.079 137 years. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:12.359 And of course, 00:32:12.419 --> 00:32:13.419 for all of us, 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.619 repentance feels 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.859 so costly. 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.960 When we think 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.720 of giving up 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:22.740 this or that thing 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.519 that we've held 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.539 so close, 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:28.000 that we've invested 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:29.960 so much of our time 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.339 into, 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.879 that so much 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.699 of our identity 00:32:33.699 --> 00:32:34.819 or our personality 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:36.439 is wrapped up in, 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:38.720 how on earth 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.720 could we give 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:41.100 that up? 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:46.220 Repentance is costly. 00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:50.019 And we see that. 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.320 But friends, 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:54.019 don't forget 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:56.640 that as costly 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.720 as repentance is, 00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.140 God 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:02.660 has so much 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.600 more 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:05.160 to give you 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.940 than what you will lose. 00:33:10.060 --> 00:33:11.540 Whatever you give up, 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.300 he will more 00:33:12.300 --> 00:33:12.980 than make up for. 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:13.300 You know, 00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:13.800 the disciples 00:33:13.800 --> 00:33:14.720 came to Jesus 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.300 one day 00:33:15.300 --> 00:33:16.300 and said, 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:16.660 Lord, 00:33:16.820 --> 00:33:17.759 we've left 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:19.040 everything for you. 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.980 We've left our homes 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.259 and our families 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:23.640 and our jobs. 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:25.040 We've left our identities 00:33:25.040 --> 00:33:25.800 behind 00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:26.920 to follow you. 00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.560 You can hear them 00:33:30.560 --> 00:33:31.940 calculating in their minds, 00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:33.480 was any of this worth it? 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:37.339 And Jesus 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:39.059 turns to them 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.440 and says, 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.599 truly I say to you, 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.539 there is no one 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:44.140 who has left house 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.000 or wife 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.740 or brothers 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.539 or parents 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.240 or children 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:48.460 for me 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.599 or for the sake 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.779 of the kingdom of God 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:52.440 who will not receive 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.799 many times more 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.759 in this time 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:56.860 and in the age to come 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:58.740 eternal life. 00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:03.779 Now, 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.299 how could Jesus 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.279 say such a thing? 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:07.839 How could he make 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.719 such a promise 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:10.219 to us, 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.960 his disciples? 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.039 Because Jesus 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.820 was about to go 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:15.860 lose his life 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.900 for us 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.800 so that no matter 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.820 what we lost 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.820 in following him, 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.960 it'd be nothing 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.800 compared to what 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.320 we'd gain. 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.780 That what he purchased 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.659 for us 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.599 was every 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.699 spiritual blessing 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.899 in the heavenly places 00:34:28.899 --> 00:34:29.939 poured out 00:34:29.939 --> 00:34:30.679 in him. 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.179 And friends, 00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:32.679 that's what you 00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:33.500 really want. 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.619 What you want 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.500 behind your friends, 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.519 what you want 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.559 behind your sex, 00:34:39.919 --> 00:34:40.419 what you want 00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:41.439 behind your job 00:34:41.439 --> 00:34:43.319 is a spiritual blessing 00:34:43.319 --> 00:34:45.000 that won't go away. 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:47.360 And Jesus 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.480 has won it for you. 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.239 Such that no matter 00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:51.380 what you give up 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.159 in this life, 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:55.019 could never compare 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.739 to what he's given you. 00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:56.599 And in fact, 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.579 when you give 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.219 those things up, 00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:59.599 you begin to experience 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.480 more and more 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:01.219 of what he has 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:02.380 already given you. 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.139 And the cross 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.699 and the resurrection 00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:08.880 of Jesus stand 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:10.139 as a great emblem 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.480 of that fact. 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:13.960 that God 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:15.099 has more to give you 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.340 than you will ever lose. 00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:20.860 So friend, 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.780 as we close this morning, 00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:22.840 what is he telling you 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:24.280 to turn from 00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.280 this morning? 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.840 In other words, 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.599 where do you 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.360 and I 00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:31.740 sense the Spirit's 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:33.400 finger on our hearts 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.179 telling us 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:34.780 to repent, 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:37.219 to turn, 00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.460 and to step 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:39.639 into the greater 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.619 spiritual life 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.299 and vitality 00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:41.699 that Jesus 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:42.579 has won for us? 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.239 What is it for you 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:46.719 this morning? 00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:50.900 Let's ask God 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.539 for the power 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.739 and courage 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:54.019 to do just that. 00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.539 Let's pray. 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.059 God, 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.579 we confess 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.379 that in our own 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.500 strength 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.260 we are weak. 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:11.820 Lord, 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.420 how often 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:13.019 are we like 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.000 the sons of Siva 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:17.280 charging into life, 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.519 bold and confident 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.260 with your name 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.980 on our lips 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:22.260 and yet finding 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:22.940 that we end up 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.160 bruised and battered. 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.720 Oh God, 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.720 would you meet us 00:36:27.720 --> 00:36:29.940 this morning 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:32.680 and would you 00:36:32.680 --> 00:36:33.420 beckon us 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:35.140 with your mercy 00:36:35.140 --> 00:36:35.980 and your grace 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.860 and your strength 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.360 and would you 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.160 call us, 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:39.400 God, 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.880 to come unto you 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:42.620 and to turn away 00:36:42.620 --> 00:36:43.660 from those things 00:36:43.660 --> 00:36:44.860 that might have 00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.579 at one point 00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:47.559 been our very life 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:50.420 and yet need 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.019 be our life 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.480 no more 00:36:51.480 --> 00:36:52.220 because of you, 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:52.579 Jesus. 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.519 Lord, 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.039 work in us 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.660 by your Spirit 00:36:56.660 --> 00:36:57.260 these things 00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:58.019 more and more 00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:59.200 in us as a church 00:36:59.200 --> 00:37:00.099 and us as a people. 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:02.700 Lord, 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:03.079 for the good 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.620 of our city 00:37:03.620 --> 00:37:04.480 and for the glory 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:04.960 of your name. 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:06.079 Amen. 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:11.980 Well friends, 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.720 we have the privilege 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:14.000 this morning 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:14.960 as we respond 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.940 to God's word 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:17.420 of celebrating 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.059 baptism. 00:37:19.240 --> 00:37:20.079 So if Wilson 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:20.679 and Grace 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.099 and Phil, 00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.400 if you guys 00:37:21.400 --> 00:37:22.059 want to come up. 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.139 Amen. 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.260 Amen. 00:37:22.260 --> 00:37:22.340 Amen. 00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:22.400 Amen. 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:22.639 Amen. 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:22.940 Amen. 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.079 Amen. 00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:23.179 Amen. 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:23.420 Amen. 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:24.000 Amen. 00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:24.079 Amen. 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.099 Amen. 00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:25.300 Amen. 00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:26.179 Amen. 00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.220 Amen. 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:26.320 Amen. 00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.099 Amen. 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.139 Amen. 00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.220 Amen. 00:37:27.220 --> 00:37:28.139 Amen. 00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:29.139 Amen. 00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:31.220 Amen. 00:37:31.220 --> 00:37:32.159 Amen. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:32.199 Amen. 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:32.280 Amen. 00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:33.039 Amen. 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:33.099 Amen. 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:34.940 Amen.