WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.719 We're in Acts chapter 28. 00:00:05.459 --> 00:00:07.419 We're finishing the book of Acts today. 00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:15.640 So please turn with me to Acts chapter 28, verses 17 to 31. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:20.820 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word. 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:29.940 Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before you as you address us from your holy scriptures. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:53.439 Again, every time we go through a book beginning to the end, we are surprised again and again by how timelessly relevant and how powerful your word is. 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:59.820 And we ask today that you would speak to us. 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:09.519 That you would remind us of our identity as ambassadors of Christ. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:16.539 And fill us with your Holy Spirit. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:21.420 Embolden us to bear witness to Jesus. 00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:28.620 In his precious name we pray. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:29.200 Amen. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:35.320 Acts chapter 28, verses 17 to 31. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:48.559 After three days, he called together the local leaders of the Jews. 00:01:48.979 --> 00:01:51.039 And when they had gathered, he said to them, 00:01:51.699 --> 00:01:56.780 Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:01.519 yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:09.000 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:14.359 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, 00:02:15.079 --> 00:02:18.120 though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:24.159 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, 00:02:24.500 --> 00:02:28.539 since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain. 00:02:28.539 --> 00:02:31.459 And they said to him, 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:34.799 We have received no letters from Judea about you, 00:02:35.079 --> 00:02:39.340 and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 00:02:40.019 --> 00:02:43.560 But we desire to hear from you what your views are. 00:02:44.139 --> 00:02:49.239 For with regard to this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:52.859 When they had appointed a day for him, 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:55.759 they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:58.939 From morning till evening, he expounded to them, 00:02:59.139 --> 00:03:02.919 testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus, 00:03:03.399 --> 00:03:06.120 both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:10.560 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:15.879 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement. 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:20.560 The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet, 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:22.599 Go to this people and say, 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:25.280 You will indeed hear, but never understand. 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:28.240 And you will indeed see, but never perceive. 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:31.099 From this people's heart has grown dull. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:32.939 For this people's heart has grown dull. 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.319 And with their ears they can barely hear. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:37.420 And their eyes they have closed. 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:41.000 Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.319 and understand with their heart and turn. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:44.500 And I would heal them. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:51.300 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:52.840 They will listen. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:58.780 He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:03.240 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:06.360 with all boldness and without hindrance. 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:10.500 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:16.699 As I mentioned, we are at the end of the book of Acts and you can see that. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:22.819 And apart from Paul's pastoral epistles, that's 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:26.399 this is the last we hear of Apostle Paul. 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:32.839 And we find him here at the very end of, near the very end of his life, 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:36.480 during his imprisonment, still preaching the gospel. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:42.520 Even though he doesn't know how many people, if any, will respond to his sharing of the gospel, 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:47.040 he says at the end that he was proclaiming the kingdom of God 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:52.040 and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:55.879 That's how the book of Acts concludes. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:05:02.000 And this is the truth that Luke wants to impress upon us at the end of the book, 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:08.680 that we, as believers, like Paul, are all ambassadors who proclaim the kingdom of God. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:12.319 It's a calling we have received from our Lord, our Master Jesus. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:18.420 So we're going to talk about how, talk about the identity of the messenger, Paul. 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:21.259 We're going to talk about the recipients of the message. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:24.120 And then we will finally talk about the content of the message itself, 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:26.079 the messengers, recipients, and the message. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:30.539 In verse 16, we were told that after arriving in Rome, 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:34.159 Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:38.779 In other words, a soldier was posted to guard Paul. 00:05:39.219 --> 00:05:43.939 And usually, customarily at this time, the soldier would literally be chained to the prisoner. 00:05:44.539 --> 00:05:46.420 And so they would always have to travel together. 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:48.420 That would prevent the prisoner from running away. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:54.360 But apart from that one soldier that was guarding Paul, he had relative freedom. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:57.680 He was able to live in his own private residence. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:59.500 He was allowed to have visitors. 00:06:00.520 --> 00:06:06.600 And so it says then, because of that, he invites some of the Jews, 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:09.879 the local leaders of the Jews in verse 17, to come and visit him 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:12.700 so he can have a conversation with them, talk to them. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:17.459 And whenever Paul entered a new town, we've seen throughout the book of Acts, 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:22.839 it was his habit to go first to the synagogues to speak to the Jews, to preach to the Jews. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:28.779 And since he can't do that as a prisoner, he invites them to come to him. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:33.879 And then he explains the circumstances of his imprisonment in verses 17 to 20. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:38.639 Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:42.040 yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:45.139 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:47.879 because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:52.079 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:55.040 though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:59.139 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:02.800 since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain. 00:07:03.719 --> 00:07:10.319 So Paul is once again defending himself and insisting on his innocence. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:12.979 Even though he's in prison and it looks different, 00:07:13.779 --> 00:07:17.339 he's telling the Jewish leaders that he has done nothing against our people. 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:24.180 We saw earlier in chapter 22 that the Jews falsely accused Paul 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:27.219 of being against the Jewish people and the Jewish law. 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:31.839 Paul was never against the Jewish people. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:35.039 In fact, here Paul addresses the Jewish leaders as brothers. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.800 He calls their Jewish ancestors our fathers. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.500 And then he refers to the nation of Israel as my nation, 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.639 reminding them that I have not abandoned my people. 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:50.319 However, while Paul did teach that salvation was from the Jews 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:54.539 because our Savior, the Messiah Jesus, is a Jewish man, 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:58.020 he also taught that salvation is for all nations, 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:01.580 even for the Gentiles, all those who repent and believe in Jesus. 00:08:02.340 --> 00:08:05.020 And that's why in verse 28 later, Paul says, 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:09.260 let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. 00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:14.060 And this challenge to the uniqueness of the Jews 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:18.700 is what led some to falsely accuse Paul of being against the Jewish people. 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:24.620 And in addition to that, Paul also defends himself by saying 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:27.479 he had done nothing against the customs of our fathers. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:33.179 As long as the Jews understood that it's not the keeping of the Mosaic law 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:37.340 in their own strength and keeping of the Jewish customs that saved them, 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:41.299 but rather Jesus who saved them through his life, death, and resurrection, 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:45.480 Paul was fine with the Jews observing their Jewish customs. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:53.120 But because Paul insisted that we can never be saved by our own righteousness 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:57.039 by observing the Jewish law, because all of us have fallen short, 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:03.740 some people falsely accused Paul of being against the customs of the fathers. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:10.200 And despite his innocence and despite the judgment of the Romans that he was innocent, 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:12.200 the Jews objected. 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:15.500 And this is why Paul was compelled to appeal to Caesar. 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:18.180 And he is here in Rome, imprisoned. 00:09:19.280 --> 00:09:22.840 And Paul says, though he had no charge to bring against my nation. 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:28.000 So twice in this passage, Paul insists that he had nothing against the Jews. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:35.280 He says, I never spoke against the Jewish people or the law or the customs of the Jewish people. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:38.019 I have no charge to bring against my nation. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:42.339 But twice he mentions that the Jews themselves were against Paul. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:46.339 He says that they spoke against him. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:50.079 The word objected is literally they spoke against him in verse 19. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:53.959 And in verse 22, the Jewish leaders admit concerning Christianity 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:56.360 that everywhere it is spoken against. 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:59.980 So Paul is drawing a contrast here. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:03.060 It's not Paul who is against the Jews. 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:09.399 It's the Jews who are against Paul and against Christ. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:16.100 As we bear witness to Jesus, as we proclaim God's word, 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:18.720 we will be spoken against. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:24.000 We will be mischaracterized as being against certain groups of people. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:30.659 When we say that Jesus is the Son of God and that he is the only way to God the Father, 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:37.659 followers of others, adherents of other religions will charge us of being against them. 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:44.860 When we teach biblical ethics on sex and gender, 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:50.019 those who disagree with us will accuse us of being against them, 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:53.220 of trying to oppress them. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:58.279 But we must remind them that we are not against them. 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:01.779 We are for Jesus. 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:06.460 And because of that, we are ultimately for their good. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:09.139 What does Paul say in verse 20? 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:13.539 It is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain. 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:20.039 Because of the hope of the resurrection that Jesus fulfilled when he was raised from the dead. 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:25.639 I am not in prison, Paul is saying, for being against Israel. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.860 No, I am in chains because of the hope of Israel. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:35.019 If we follow Christ faithfully, people will be against us, 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:37.379 but we must not be against them. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:44.960 We cannot give in to the same tribalistic us versus them attitude. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:49.320 Because our battle is not against flesh and blood, 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:51.900 but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:54.420 against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:58.280 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:11:58.780 --> 00:12:00.800 So instead we tell them, we are for you. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:05.719 We are for the fulfillment of God's promises and salvation in your life. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:08.879 We are for God's holiness and human flourishing. 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:13.259 Jesus did not come to steal and kill and destroy. 00:12:13.359 --> 00:12:14.419 That's what the devil does. 00:12:15.359 --> 00:12:18.219 He came that you may have life and have it abundantly. 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:26.200 And after Paul's introduction and defense of himself to the local leaders of the Jews, 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:29.100 they appoint a day for him to share his theological views. 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.600 And on that day, it says, 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:33.820 they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:36.779 And Paul teaches them from the scriptures, 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.399 from morning till evening, 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:40.560 trying to convince them about Jesus, 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:43.019 both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:47.379 So here, because Paul's evangelizing fellow Jews 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:50.699 who had a shared faith in the Old Testament scriptures, 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:56.319 he uses that as the common ground to prove that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.799 the promised king, 00:12:58.139 --> 00:13:00.759 who lived and died and was raised from the dead. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:04.980 And that all need to trust in him in order to be saved from their sins. 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:11.079 And Luke, in particular, Paul uses three words in verse 23 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:13.700 that helpfully summarized our evangelistic task, 00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:16.379 what we're supposed to do when we're sharing the gospel with other people. 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:17.800 He says, 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.020 from morning till evening, 00:13:19.160 --> 00:13:20.820 he expounded to them, 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:23.940 testifying to the kingdom of God 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:26.960 and trying to convince them about Jesus. 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:30.700 So the first word is expound. 00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:32.300 That's the main verb. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:36.379 We have to explain who Jesus is 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:38.440 and what Jesus did. 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:43.700 We can't share the gospel without explaining that to people. 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:47.600 What is the significance of Jesus' life, 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:48.880 his death and resurrection? 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.300 But as we do this, 00:13:51.380 --> 00:13:53.260 we're not merely conveying information 00:13:53.260 --> 00:13:55.760 because this expounding also entails 00:13:55.760 --> 00:13:58.160 testifying and convincing. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:02.240 It includes testimony and persuasion. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.220 First, the word testify 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:08.139 refers to a solemn testimony of a witness in a trial. 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:12.720 Its original meaning was to bear witness under oath. 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:17.639 So when you're solemnly exhorting someone, 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.580 warning someone, 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:20.700 that's when you are testifying to something. 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:22.840 When you testify in court, 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:24.440 what you say can determine 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:26.139 whether a person will go to jail or not, 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:29.580 whether a person will live or die. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:34.639 Sharing the gospel in a similar way 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.560 is of utmost weight. 00:14:36.780 --> 00:14:38.720 It's not small talk 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:41.180 about the weather outside 00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:43.600 or sports or your TV show. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:47.080 When you're exhorting someone, 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:49.759 when you're testifying to the gospel to Jesus, 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:52.500 we're conveying that sense of gravity 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:54.240 and consequence of the gospel 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:56.799 that a person's eternal fate 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:58.899 hangs in the balance. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.860 Second, the word convince 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:07.180 is different from merely conversing. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.940 When we share the gospel with people, 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:15.060 we're not just exchanging views or opinions. 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:20.000 We're changing their views and opinions. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:25.100 We're trying to persuade them, 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:27.960 win them over to our point of view. 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:30.840 So when we share the gospel, 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.960 there should be an invitation to believe. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:37.120 I have a childhood friend 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.980 from when I was growing up 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.639 in elementary school days in South Korea. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.500 I had invited him to church 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:46.139 when we were children many times. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.700 He'd gone to church with me many times. 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:50.680 He'd heard the gospel many times. 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:52.940 And after I moved to the United States 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.700 when I was 12, 00:15:54.140 --> 00:15:55.100 several years later, 00:15:55.180 --> 00:15:57.220 he actually came also. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.340 He wasn't following me. 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.560 He just had other stuff to do 00:15:59.560 --> 00:16:00.780 and ended up in the same area 00:16:00.780 --> 00:16:02.680 because he knew I was there. 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:05.500 And I got to share the gospel. 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:07.220 He came to church with me many times. 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:09.920 But even though we had been doing this 00:16:09.920 --> 00:16:10.700 for many years, 00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:13.600 he just never seemed to cross the threshold. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:18.440 And then one day, 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.019 I came home 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:22.680 and he was hanging out with my family 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:25.240 because he was close to my family too. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:28.040 And he was just beaming with joy. 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:31.560 He's one of those guys that has a face 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:33.580 that just looks sad by default. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.320 Like he has one of those drooping eyes. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.440 But I could tell that day 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.899 he was really happy the whole time. 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:42.659 And he comes up to me 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.519 and he tells me, 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.959 Sean, I'm a Christian now. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.659 What? 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.019 You are? 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.879 What happened? 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:57.879 Oh, your mom just asked me 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.120 if I wanted to become a Christian. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.980 And I said yes. 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:02.459 And we pray together 00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:03.500 and I'm going to get baptized. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.960 I was like, what? 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.960 She just asked you? 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.279 And it's like, 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:10.620 you never asked me. 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.559 You never asked me. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.799 That's stuck with me all these years. 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.539 He had often heard the gospel, 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:29.039 but he was never confronted 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:31.380 with the need to make a decision. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:37.740 He was never given an invitation 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.300 to make a commitment to Jesus. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:43.060 When we expound the gospel, 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:45.820 we are testifying and convincing. 00:17:47.260 --> 00:17:49.440 We're not merely exchanging views. 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:53.760 We're inviting them to change their views 00:17:53.760 --> 00:17:56.120 and to accept Jesus as their own. 00:17:56.119 --> 00:18:02.239 And as we do this, 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.019 we need to recognize 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:04.659 that there will be mixed responses. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.559 Verses 24 to 25 say this, 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.619 and some were convinced 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.699 by what Paul said, 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:10.119 but others disbelieved. 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:14.139 And disagreeing among themselves, 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.379 they departed after Paul 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.359 and made one statement. 00:18:17.479 --> 00:18:18.939 So some Jews are believing, 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.839 but many others are not believing. 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.740 And Paul makes sense 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.359 of the Jews' rejection of the gospel 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:26.319 by quoting Isaiah 6, 9 to 11 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.220 in verses 26 to 27. 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:33.339 In the original context of Isaiah, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.799 Isaiah is receiving 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.519 his prophetic commission from the Lord. 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:37.879 When the Lord says, 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.119 whom shall I send? 00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:40.279 Who will go for us? 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.199 Isaiah responds, 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:43.000 here I am, send me. 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.779 And God commands him 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:46.000 to go and say to Israel, 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:47.519 this is from Isaiah, 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.559 not from Acts, 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.099 keep on hearing, 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.440 but do not understand. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.279 Keep on seeing, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.619 but do not perceive. 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.700 Make the heart of this people 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:58.379 dull and their ears heavy 00:18:58.379 --> 00:19:00.139 and blind their eyes, 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.659 lest they see with their eyes 00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:02.980 and hear with their ears 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.839 and understand with their hearts 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:06.659 and turn and be healed. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.519 In Isaiah, 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:11.399 the phrases are imperatives. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.279 Isaiah is commanded 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:15.579 to make the heart of this people 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:17.740 dull and their ears heavy 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:20.240 and blind their eyes, 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.279 lest they repent. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.799 So there, 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.640 what is emphasized 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.079 in the original context of Isaiah 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.960 is God's sovereignty and salvation. 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.299 In that particular situation, 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.920 God had decreed that Israel 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.940 would stubbornly refuse to repent 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.720 so that he might visit them 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.279 with judgment 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:37.200 and demonstrate his righteousness. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.500 Similarly, 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.339 in Matthew 13, 10 to 17, 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.380 when Jesus' disciples ask him, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.200 why do you speak to people 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:45.940 in parables? 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.340 Jesus answers by saying, 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:50.059 to you it has been given 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:51.140 to know the secrets 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:52.200 of the kingdom of heaven, 00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:55.420 but to them it has not been given. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.700 And then he cites 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:59.019 this exact same passage 00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.680 from Isaiah 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:01.059 and then he explains, 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:03.120 this is why I speak to them 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:03.799 in parables, 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.400 parables, 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:06.559 because seeing they do not see 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.660 and hearing they do not hear, 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.200 nor do they understand. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.980 In other words, 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.799 to some people, 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.819 the secrets of the kingdom 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.960 have not been given 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.839 and speaking in parables 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:18.419 fulfills Isaiah's prophecy 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:19.500 that they will hear 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.980 but not understand. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.159 They will see 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.539 but not perceive. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.639 But note the way 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:30.220 that Paul applies Isaiah 6 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.259 in this passage 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.299 is a little different. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:35.579 It's less prescriptive 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:37.399 and it's more descriptive. 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.539 Instead of saying, 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:42.099 make the people's heart grow dull, 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:45.419 Paul follows the Greek translation 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:46.940 of Isaiah which says, 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:48.440 this people's heart 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.599 has grown dull. 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.599 Instead of saying, 00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:53.259 make their ears heavy 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.419 and blind their eyes, 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.119 Paul says, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.379 with their ears 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.559 they can barely hear 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.579 and their eyes 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.759 they have closed. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:03.639 So in Isaiah's original context 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:05.180 and in Jesus' use of it, 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.819 the emphasis is on 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.899 divine sovereignty. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:11.480 unless God acts to save, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.560 no one can hear 00:21:12.560 --> 00:21:13.080 and understand 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.960 and be saved. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.720 But here in the context of Acts, 00:21:17.040 --> 00:21:18.120 the emphasis is on 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:19.580 human responsibility. 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.980 Paul laments 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.820 that the Jews 00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:23.980 are hard of hearing, 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.080 that they are themselves 00:21:25.080 --> 00:21:26.640 closing their own eyes. 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:28.340 They're refusing to believe 00:21:28.340 --> 00:21:29.380 the good news of Jesus. 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:32.600 We can account for this difference 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.600 in emphases 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:34.340 by looking at 00:21:34.340 --> 00:21:36.280 who the intended audience is. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:38.480 In Isaiah, 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.019 God is speaking 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.240 to his prophet, Isaiah. 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.720 In the Gospels, 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.559 Jesus is speaking 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.460 to his apostles. 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.539 He's explaining to them 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.599 God's sovereign role 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.240 in salvation 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.399 and reassuring them 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.559 that they need not 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.519 be disillusioned 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.879 when people reject them 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.879 and reject the Gospel 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.299 because even that 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.539 is ultimately fulfilling 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.720 God's sovereign purposes. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.660 But here in Acts, 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.920 Paul is citing Isaiah 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:04.460 to unbelieving Jews. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:07.880 So he puts the onus 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.620 on them 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.880 and emphasizes 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:11.340 their responsibility 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:13.980 because as paradoxical 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.140 as it may seem to us, 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.259 both divine sovereignty 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.360 and human responsibility 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.980 are biblical realities. 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.860 People have 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:24.440 a real responsibility 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.460 to respond 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.079 to the preaching 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.660 of the Gospel. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:29.120 It's not enough 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:29.900 that you're hearing. 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:32.200 You have to respond. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:34.299 You have to perceive. 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:36.059 You have to understand. 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.500 You have to believe. 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.500 You have to repent 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.279 of your sins 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.120 and follow Jesus. 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:44.160 We must not stop our ears 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.140 or close our eyes. 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:48.480 There must be a response. 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.360 And there's a contrast 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.240 between what the Jews 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.840 say to Paul 00:22:52.840 --> 00:22:53.559 in verse 22 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.880 and what Paul says 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.400 to the Jews 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.880 in verses 26-27. 00:22:57.580 --> 00:22:58.600 In verse 22, 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.680 the Jews say to Paul, 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:01.220 we desire to hear from you 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.259 what your views are. 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.500 But in verse 26, 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.140 Paul says, 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.259 you will indeed hear 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:08.279 but never understand. 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:10.120 And in verse 27, 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.080 in their ears, 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.620 they can barely hear. 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.100 Some of these Jews 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:16.060 do not have 00:23:16.060 --> 00:23:16.980 the ears to hear. 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.259 They are hearing 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.299 but not understanding. 00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:22.320 And it is this rejection 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:22.920 of the Gospel 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.720 by the Jews 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.400 that makes Paul 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.920 turn toward the Gentiles. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.560 Paul says in verse 28, 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.500 therefore let it be known 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.519 to you that the salvation 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.720 of God has been sent 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.960 to the Gentiles. 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:34.099 They will listen. 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.200 This doesn't mean 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:37.839 that Paul is turning away 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:39.319 from his fellow Jews 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.119 once and for all. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.839 This doesn't mean 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.940 that God has rejected 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.779 Jews forever. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.799 This is now 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.819 the third time 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:49.000 in the book of Acts 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:51.000 that Paul mentions 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.639 turning away 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.259 from the Jews 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.399 toward the Gentiles. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.179 But after each time, 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.940 he never stops 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.980 preaching to the Jews. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:01.379 But the fact 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.379 that he keeps saying this, 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.019 Luke is mentioning 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.799 this three times, 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:04.359 it shows us 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.319 that he is highlighting 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.460 something here for us. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.819 In chapter 13, 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.099 when Paul, 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.799 when the Jews 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.539 reject the Gospel 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.639 in Pisidian Antioch, 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.639 Paul told them, 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.279 I'm turning 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.099 to the Gentiles. 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:16.159 Chapter 18, 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.759 verse 6, 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.119 when the Corinthian Jews 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.460 rejected Jesus 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.919 and opposed Paul, 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.579 he said, 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.419 I'm from now on 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:22.799 I will go 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.700 to the Gentiles. 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.399 So what is going on here? 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.399 Paul explains this 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.259 in Romans 11. 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.560 He says, 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.680 through the Jews' 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.740 trespass, 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.759 salvation has come 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.640 to the Gentiles, 00:24:33.800 --> 00:24:35.680 so to make Israel 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.040 jealous. 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.360 And he says, 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.200 later in that same 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.460 chapter, 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.200 Romans 11, 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.960 a partial hardening 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.140 has come upon Israel 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.400 until the fullness 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.480 of the Gentiles 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.360 has come in. 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:49.280 And in this way, 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.120 all Israel 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.860 will be saved. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.940 In other words, 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:53.540 the rejection 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.160 of Jesus 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.120 by the Jews 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.500 is what prompts 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.199 the inclusion 00:24:57.199 --> 00:24:58.179 of the Gentiles. 00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.259 And eventually, 00:24:59.699 --> 00:25:00.079 the Jews 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.659 will be jealous 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.579 of the Gentiles' 00:25:01.739 --> 00:25:02.159 salvation, 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.599 and they themselves 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.239 will repent 00:25:04.239 --> 00:25:05.659 and believe in Jesus, 00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:07.459 leading to all Israel, 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:09.000 meaning the new people 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.399 of God 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.379 that includes 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.019 both Jews 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.000 and Gentiles, 00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:13.500 being saved. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.879 God chose the Jews 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.939 so that from them 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:19.379 our Savior might come 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.399 to bring salvation 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.379 to all nations, 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.740 and God brings 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.560 all nations 00:25:23.560 --> 00:25:24.380 to the salvation 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:26.120 so that he might 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.900 in turn turn 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.700 his people, 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.160 the Jews, 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.000 back to him. 00:25:29.760 --> 00:25:30.820 So there's a wonderful 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:32.380 reciprocity there. 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.720 This is why 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.360 in verse 30, 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.160 Luke summarizes, 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:36.920 he lived there 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.740 two whole years 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.600 at his own expense 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.380 and welcomed 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.520 all who came 00:25:40.520 --> 00:25:41.040 to him. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:44.100 All means Jews 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:45.440 and Gentiles, 00:25:46.040 --> 00:25:47.880 Romans and barbarians, 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.680 men and women, 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:51.740 young and old, 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.660 slaves and free, 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.500 rich and poor, 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.759 pretty and ugly, 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.380 strong and weak, 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:00.519 influential and marginalized, 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:04.220 criminals and victims, 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:06.440 history makers, 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:09.080 and history's forgettables. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.000 If they repent 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.680 of their sins, 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.880 if they turn 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.600 toward Jesus, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:18.220 all can come. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:22.440 And Paul welcomes 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.660 all to come 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.120 to him 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:25.160 because that's 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.940 what his Lord 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.860 Jesus does. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.900 Jesus said 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.620 in John 6, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.140 37, 00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:31.600 all that the Father 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.279 gives me 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.539 will come to me 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.519 and whoever 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.340 comes to me 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.740 I will never 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.140 cast out. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.380 Maybe you're 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.980 weighed down 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.560 by guilt 00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:43.080 this morning. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.539 Maybe you're 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.200 wrestling with 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.960 a deep sense 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.600 of shame. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:49.119 you might not 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.859 feel worthy 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.759 to come to Jesus 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:52.259 and the truth is 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.339 no one is. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.319 But if the 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.480 master himself 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.740 invites us in, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.319 who is the servant 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.500 that can turn us away? 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.599 Amen. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:07.559 With this kind of promise, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.059 whoever comes to me 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.819 I will never 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.699 cast out. 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.559 How can we not 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.439 eagerly 00:27:14.439 --> 00:27:15.759 come to Jesus 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.799 receive forgiveness 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:18.240 and be reconciled 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.660 to him? 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.920 There's a 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.720 Tennessee 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.960 bluegrass band 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.420 called 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.200 Blue Highway. 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:29.000 Anybody listen to them? 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.379 No? 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.400 It's okay. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.140 They have a song 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.599 entitled 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.900 Ground is Level 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.359 at the Foot 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:37.920 of the Cross. 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.099 And it goes this way, 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.859 You can judge 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.279 your brother 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.720 by his fortune size, 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.220 but we're all the same 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.460 in the good Lord's eyes. 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.660 You can judge 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.220 your sister 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.920 by the deeds 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.579 she's done, 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.740 but we're judged 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.200 in heaven 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:52.100 by the carpenter's son. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.720 If you measure 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.339 the gain, 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.900 better count the cost, 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.019 because the ground 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.500 is level 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.039 at the foot 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.660 of the cross. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.400 Why gain the world 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.360 if your soul's 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:02.100 been lost? 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.240 Because the ground 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.279 is level 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.519 at the foot 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.519 of the cross. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:11.299 We've talked 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.119 about the messenger, 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.680 we've talked 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.539 about the recipients, 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.599 all who come, 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.019 and let's talk 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.639 about the message. 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.420 What exactly 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.220 is Paul preaching? 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.379 Verse 31 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.180 tells us clearly 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.879 that Paul was 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.740 proclaiming 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.660 the kingdom of God 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.639 and teaching 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.460 about the Lord 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.180 Jesus Christ 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.220 with all boldness 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.359 and without hindrance. 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.279 This is amazing. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.559 Remember that 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.420 not long after 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.139 Paul arrived 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.539 in Jerusalem 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.359 in chapter 21, 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.319 he was arrested, 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.879 and then he was 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.039 transferred to Caesarea. 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.220 In Acts 24, 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.439 27 told us 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.720 that two years 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.500 had elapsed 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.019 with Paul 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.819 in prison there. 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:46.299 And after a long 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.879 and dangerous 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.939 journey through the sea, 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.000 Paul finally arrives 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.419 in Rome 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:50.139 in Acts 28, 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:50.899 and here we learn 00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:51.539 in verse 30 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.119 that Paul was 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:53.159 under house arrest 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:53.899 in Rome 00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:55.399 for two whole years. 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:56.740 So that's about 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.679 five years. 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.619 Five years 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.500 that Paul's 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.439 under Roman custody 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.059 as a prisoner. 00:29:03.939 --> 00:29:05.039 And we might expect 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:07.059 that this prolonged 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.039 imprisonment, 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.799 and after that, 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.659 Paul would lack 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.339 boldness 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.680 or be hindered 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.200 from preaching 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.680 the gospel. 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.420 But it says that 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.980 Paul was proclaiming 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.720 the kingdom of God 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.399 and teaching about 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.399 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.940 with all boldness 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:21.559 and without hindrance. 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.399 It's during his 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.319 imprisonment in Rome 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.180 that Paul wrote 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.460 four of his 13 letters 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.259 in the New Testament. 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.819 Ephesians, 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.559 Philippians, 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.139 Colossians, 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.680 Philemon. 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:33.840 And in his 00:29:33.840 --> 00:29:34.640 closing remarks 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.560 in Philippians 4, 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.220 verse 22, 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.440 Paul writes, 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:38.299 all the saints 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:38.799 greet you, 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:40.019 especially those 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.580 of Caesar's household. 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.920 Some of those 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.560 people who came 00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:45.480 to faith in Jesus 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.100 through Paul's 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:46.860 ministry during 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.620 his imprisonment 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:47.980 in Rome 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.120 included members 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.259 of Caesar's 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.700 household. 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.620 Paul's chains 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.740 did not hinder 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.779 him from proclaiming 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.240 the gospel. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:30:00.240 what's hindering 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.779 us. 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.819 As Paul writes 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.799 in 2 Timothy 2, 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.460 8 to 9, 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.819 remember Jesus Christ 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.859 risen from the dead, 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.980 the offspring of David 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.859 as preached in my 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.259 gospel, 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.440 for which I am 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:13.900 suffering, 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.359 bound with chains 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.160 as a criminal, 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:18.160 but the word of God 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.460 is not bound. 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.380 We can be bound 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.079 with chains, 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.039 but the word of God 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.000 cannot be bound. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:29.059 Our platforms 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.900 might be censored, 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.839 but the word of God 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:32.740 can never be bound. 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:39.279 Even while in prison, 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.220 Paul did not forget 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.059 that he is an ambassador 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.119 for the kingdom of God. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.380 And we too have to remember 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.460 that we are ambassadors 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.740 who proclaim 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.980 the kingdom of God. 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.480 Whether we have 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.400 a job or not, 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:56.100 whether we are 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:57.320 still a student 00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:57.820 or not, 00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.740 whether we are 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.600 busy or not, 00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:02.019 whether we're 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.840 sick or healthy, 00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:04.019 we are all 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.740 as Christians 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:06.420 ambassadors 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.080 of the kingdom 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.580 of God. 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.480 There's some 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.240 turbulent things 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.720 going on 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.840 in international affairs. 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:14.980 Imagine 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.820 that our 00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:16.840 Secretary of State, 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.960 Antony Blinken, 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.200 our country's 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.860 most senior 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.500 diplomat, 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.380 imagine that 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:21.920 he travels 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.480 to meet 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.599 with the Russian 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.360 foreign minister 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.660 Sergei Lavrov, 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:28.960 but then he forgets 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:30.579 what he's there for, 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.440 namely to stop 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.539 a war from happening, 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.819 and then he starts 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.380 touring 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.819 St. Basil's 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.220 Cathedral 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.799 in Moscow, 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.559 and he starts 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.099 admiring 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.759 the art 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.839 in the Hermitage Museum 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.680 in St. Petersburg, 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:45.660 and he doesn't do 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.580 any of his job. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.420 That would be 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.100 unthinkable, 00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:53.120 because he's 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:53.680 an ambassador. 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.539 He's not there 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.220 on his own 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.799 authority to do 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.539 whatever he wants 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:57.840 to do. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.640 He's been sent 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.600 there by someone 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.120 else 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:02.880 to do his 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:03.620 bidding and to 00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:04.700 send his 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.180 message. 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:08.120 And that's who 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.620 we are. 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:09.560 We are ambassadors 00:32:09.560 --> 00:32:10.140 of the kingdom 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:10.740 of God. 00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:12.000 We are not 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.820 tourists here 00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.280 on earth. 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.920 We are ambassadors 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.600 who have been sent 00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.540 out with a mission. 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:20.800 We represent 00:32:20.800 --> 00:32:22.120 our King Jesus, 00:32:22.300 --> 00:32:22.880 and we are here 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.340 to relay 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.680 his message 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.400 to the world. 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.840 This sinful world 00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.620 is in rebellion 00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:29.300 against God. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.240 They have sought 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.920 to usurp 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.620 God's throne, 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.380 but God has 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:33.040 appointed his 00:32:33.040 --> 00:32:33.500 heir, 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.360 Jesus, 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:35.500 the Son of God, 00:32:35.560 --> 00:32:36.680 as the Messianic King. 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.519 And Jesus, 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.060 instead of crushing 00:32:40.060 --> 00:32:40.779 the rebels 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.840 with brute force, 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.460 he gave his life 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.519 on the cross 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.960 to pay the penalty 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.860 for their treason. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.140 And Jesus has been 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:50.240 raised from the dead 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.519 to reconcile 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.180 these sinners 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:52.799 to himself. 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.720 And this is 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.580 the King's message. 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.580 If you renounce 00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.620 your other 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.240 allegiances, 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:01.080 if you renounce 00:33:01.080 --> 00:33:01.740 yourself, 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.680 your own rebellion 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.380 against me, 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.380 and you pledge 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.000 allegiance to 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.660 King Jesus, 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:05.840 Jesus, 00:33:06.060 --> 00:33:07.080 if you repent, 00:33:07.300 --> 00:33:08.460 turn from your sins, 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.580 and turn toward Jesus, 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:10.779 and submit to his 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.740 rule and authority, 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:13.279 then you can be 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.340 reconciled again 00:33:14.340 --> 00:33:14.860 to God. 00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:16.540 Then you can be 00:33:16.540 --> 00:33:17.500 citizens of the 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.259 kingdom of God. 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.680 And as 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.700 the citizens 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.320 of the kingdom, 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.860 we are ambassadors 00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.720 sent out to 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.460 proclaim that 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.580 same news. 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.360 We read this 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:32.920 from 2 Corinthians 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:34.040 5, 18-21 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:34.920 in our assurance 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:35.740 of pardon today. 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.600 We are ambassadors 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.440 for Christ, 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.740 God making 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.580 his appeal 00:33:40.580 --> 00:33:41.700 through us. 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.800 We implore 00:33:45.800 --> 00:33:46.519 people to be 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.300 reconciled to God 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:48.800 on Christ's behalf. 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:54.160 This ending 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.140 of the book of Acts 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.039 has puzzled 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.519 people, 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.160 many people, 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:57.840 over the years 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.339 because it 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.519 strikes a lot 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:00.879 of people 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:02.099 as anticlimactic. 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.839 You know, 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.419 they wonder, 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:06.359 hey, 00:34:06.439 --> 00:34:07.119 why didn't 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:07.579 the book 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.299 end with 00:34:08.299 --> 00:34:08.880 Paul's 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.559 long-awaited 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.239 release from 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:10.579 prison 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.440 and ongoing 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.340 missionary work? 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.719 There are 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.639 extra-biblical 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.559 Christian literature 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:16.599 like the first 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.279 letter of Clement 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.159 from 1st century 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.880 A.D., 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.940 as well as 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.579 the moratorium 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.279 canon from 00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:22.000 the 7th century 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.360 A.D. 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:23.559 that note 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.179 that Paul 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:24.940 was in fact 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.599 released from 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.259 his imprisonment 00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:26.699 in Rome 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.480 and that he 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.079 continued to 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.579 travel to 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.119 the extremities 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.759 of the West 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.279 and to bear 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:31.299 witness as 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:32.420 far as Spain. 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.619 Why doesn't 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.199 Luke tell us 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:36.839 about that? 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.839 Some people 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:41.519 wonder why 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:41.900 the book 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.719 doesn't follow 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:43.319 Paul's journey 00:34:43.319 --> 00:34:43.980 even further 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.599 than that 00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:46.440 to conclude 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:46.980 it with the 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.900 heroic tale 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:48.980 of Paul's 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.599 martyrdom 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.279 in Rome 00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:51.980 after his 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.299 second imprisonment 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:53.619 in Rome. 00:34:55.599 --> 00:34:57.179 We know 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:57.639 from verse 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:58.259 30 that 00:34:58.259 --> 00:34:58.860 Luke was 00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.360 aware that 00:34:59.360 --> 00:34:59.659 Paul's 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.179 imprisonment 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:00.539 in Rome 00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:01.219 lasted two 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.779 whole years 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:02.279 so it 00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:02.799 came to 00:35:02.799 --> 00:35:03.259 an end. 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.779 So he 00:35:04.779 --> 00:35:05.299 knows that 00:35:05.299 --> 00:35:05.659 it came 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:06.239 to an end 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:06.779 but Luke 00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.920 has chosen 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.679 not to 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.039 tell us 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.559 what happens 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.000 afterward. 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.380 Instead he 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:13.940 decided to 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.440 leave us 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.099 with Paul 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.299 proclaiming 00:35:16.299 --> 00:35:16.719 the kingdom 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.219 of God 00:35:17.219 --> 00:35:17.779 and teaching 00:35:17.779 --> 00:35:18.380 about the 00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:18.960 Lord Jesus 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:19.480 Christ 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.099 with all 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:20.619 boldness 00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.440 and without 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.259 hindrance. 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:25.040 I think 00:35:25.040 --> 00:35:25.500 that's the 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.160 most appropriate 00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:26.560 ending 00:35:26.560 --> 00:35:29.460 because it 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.980 concludes 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.540 with the 00:35:30.540 --> 00:35:31.180 focus 00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:32.000 not on 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.440 Paul 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:34.100 but on 00:35:34.100 --> 00:35:34.620 the message 00:35:34.620 --> 00:35:35.180 of Jesus 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:35.840 that Paul 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.540 proclaimed. 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.520 The most 00:35:40.520 --> 00:35:40.900 pertinent 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.560 question for 00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:42.040 Luke is 00:35:42.040 --> 00:35:42.500 not 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:44.660 what happened 00:35:44.660 --> 00:35:45.360 to Paul? 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:48.000 The most 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.280 pertinent 00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:49.280 question is 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:50.400 what happened 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:50.800 to the 00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.240 gospel? 00:35:52.260 --> 00:35:54.020 And what 00:35:54.020 --> 00:35:54.460 happened to 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:54.960 the gospel 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.620 is this 00:35:55.620 --> 00:35:56.640 the gospel 00:35:56.640 --> 00:35:57.780 continued to 00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:58.440 go forward 00:35:58.440 --> 00:36:04.020 in 60 00:36:04.020 --> 00:36:04.520 years 00:36:04.520 --> 00:36:05.900 most of 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.280 us will 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:06.640 no longer 00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:07.240 be alive 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:10.120 and we 00:36:10.120 --> 00:36:10.560 will be 00:36:10.560 --> 00:36:11.020 mostly 00:36:11.020 --> 00:36:11.600 forgotten 00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:16.380 but the 00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:16.660 important 00:36:16.660 --> 00:36:17.540 question is 00:36:17.540 --> 00:36:19.080 will the 00:36:19.080 --> 00:36:19.740 gospel be 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.180 remembered 00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.700 where we 00:36:20.700 --> 00:36:21.000 were? 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:23.400 will the 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:23.820 gospel 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.420 continue 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:24.800 in the 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.080 lives 00:36:25.080 --> 00:36:25.460 of those 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:25.760 around 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:26.140 us? 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.560 Will the 00:36:29.560 --> 00:36:29.940 name of 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:30.300 Jesus 00:36:30.300 --> 00:36:30.940 continue to 00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:31.500 be exalted 00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:32.340 when our 00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:32.940 name has 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.400 faded? 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:36.960 That's 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.600 what matters 00:36:37.600 --> 00:36:40.580 so let's 00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:40.880 live for 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:41.160 that 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:42.720 Heavenly 00:36:42.720 --> 00:36:43.180 Father 00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:50.080 Lord that's 00:36:50.080 --> 00:36:50.480 what we 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:50.860 want our 00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:51.360 life to be 00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:51.700 about. 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.480 We want it 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:54.740 to be 00:36:54.740 --> 00:36:57.099 about the 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.720 Lord Jesus 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:58.220 Christ. 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.240 We want 00:37:04.240 --> 00:37:04.420 to be 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:04.900 people who 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:05.519 say I've 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:06.099 resolved to 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.840 know nothing 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.480 but Christ 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.059 crucified. 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.260 We want to 00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:10.820 be people who 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:11.860 say woe is 00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.620 me if I do 00:37:12.620 --> 00:37:13.220 not preach 00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:13.820 the gospel. 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.480 We want to 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.400 be people who 00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:17.700 go out of 00:37:17.700 --> 00:37:18.420 this world 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:20.019 proclaiming 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.920 the good 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.260 news of 00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:21.900 Jesus Christ 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.280 with our 00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:23.079 dying breath. 00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:30.059 For your 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:30.860 glory's sake. 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.860 For your 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.860 glory's sake. 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:45.559 Lord, 00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:49.800 use us as 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.240 you wish. 00:37:52.240 --> 00:37:53.599 Change us. 00:37:53.599 --> 00:38:02.519 In Jesus' name 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:02.920 we pray. 00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:04.259 Amen. 00:38:04.259 --> 00:38:04.360 Amen. 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:05.940 In Jesus' 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.559 name we pray. 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:08.380 Amen. 00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:11.079 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:11.319 Amen. 00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:11.759 Amen. 00:38:11.759 --> 00:38:13.940 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:14.799 --> 00:38:15.460 Amen. 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.960 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:18.039 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.460 Amen. 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:20.099 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:20.440 Amen. 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.099 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:22.059 Amen. 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:22.380 Amen. 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:22.719 Amen.