WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone.

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 Before we get into the word, Tiff, could you pull up that slide for Faith Comes to Be Hearing again?

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! Just a brief plug for that.

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 Yeah, that's a ministry that I know and love.

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 I've been connected with a while and I just wanted to share with you guys.

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 As we're going through Acts and talking about scattering,

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 that call to go make disciples of all nations,

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 including people from every tribe, nation, and tongue, every people group.

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 So Faith Comes to Be Hearing, a ministry that is really well connected with doing that.

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 They're going and bringing the word of God to new languages,

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 translating it to languages that don't have a Bible at all,

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 and bringing the word to places where people have never heard the word Jesus at all,

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 where they have never met a Christian in their life.

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 So, yeah, I just want to share that with you guys.

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 That's two Thursdays from now on the 20th if you want to learn more.

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 And catch that fire for the Great Commission.

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 This would be a great way to do that.

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 But, yeah, with that, today we're talking about the Holy Spirit

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 and to be led by the Holy Spirit.

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 And actually, when I was preparing for this to preach today,

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 I found myself thinking, actually, that I wish I could preach this five or ten years later.

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 Because I was reflecting and I was thinking,

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 I don't really have that many experiences about being led by the Spirit in this way.

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 I was actually talking to someone this morning, a new visitor,

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 and he said, I introduced myself, and he said,

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 you're really young.

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 And I found myself thinking that, thinking about being led by the Holy Spirit.

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 Because I think of missionaries like Jackie Pollinger.

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 Do you guys know Jackie Pollinger?

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 Who are very clearly Spirit-led, working gifts of the Holy Spirit.

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 So she came from the UK.

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 She felt God call her to go.

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 And so she got on a boat.

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 Didn't know where God was calling her to go.

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 But just everywhere that the boat stopped, she would pray,

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 God, is this where you want me to get off?

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 Is this where you want me to go?

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 Until finally the boat stopped at Hong Kong,

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 and she felt the Spirit telling her, this is it.

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 And she ended up serving in the Kowloon Wall City,

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 where there's lots of drug addicts, gangsters, triads, all that type of stuff.

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 And saw the Spirit work in so many ways.

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 Prayed for drug addicts, and they were healed.

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 Prayed for people.

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 They started speaking in tongues.

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 They came to faith.

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 So I think of missionaries like her, who are very clearly Spirit-led.

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 I also think of guys like Hudson Taylor,

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 a very prominent missionary to China.

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 Where he was praying for someone one day,

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 a poor family,

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 and he was praying for them,

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 God to provide for them.

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 And he felt the Spirit tell him,

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 hey, you have one coin left in your pocket.

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 Why are you praying for them?

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 Just give it to them.

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 But that was the last coin he had.

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 That was the last bit of money he had to buy dinner the next day.

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 But he decided to obey the Spirit.

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 Gave them that money.

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 And the next day,

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 he got an unmarked letter in the mail.

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 Nothing written on it.

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 Blank piece of paper.

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 And in it was a coin.

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 Four times as much as he gave away.

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 So I think of coincidences like that,

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 miracles like that,

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 where the Spirit is clearly moving.

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 And I was just thinking,

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 hey, I don't really have all too many experiences like that to share.

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 And we see in Acts 16,

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 the Spirit leading in miraculous ways.

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 As we're going to read today,

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 as Paul goes on a second missionary journey,

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 that the Spirit directly talks to them,

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 tells them,

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 don't go here,

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 don't go to Asia,

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 don't go to Bithynia,

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 go to Macedonia.

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 And I want God to guide my life like that.

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 But I've never,

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 that's not happened to me.

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 I've not seen God speak to me in a vision.

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 But then as we read Acts 16,

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 we also see other ways in which the Spirit leads.

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 In giving faith,

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 opening Lydia's heart

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 to receive the gospel.

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 And also,

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 as Paul and Silas are in prison,

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 the Spirit gives them supernatural joy

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 so that they can rejoice

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 while in prison.

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 And so,

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 reading this,

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 Acts 16 is a chapter,

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 Paul goes on his missionary journey,

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 and we see how he is completely led by the Spirit.

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 As we read this,

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 I want us also to share in the joy that they have.

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 And maybe some of you here are thinking,

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 I want to be led by the Spirit.

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 I don't know how.

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 I'm hoping as we read this chapter,

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 we can share in that joy.

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 The joy in every circumstance.

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 Joy in seeing people saved.

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 For us to be a Spirit-led church.

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 To want to be led by the Spirit.

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 To want to rely on Him.

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 And to do nothing apart from Him.

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 So that's my goal as we read Acts chapter 16 today.

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 And with that,

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 let's stand as we read from the Word of God.

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 I'm going to invite Christine up to read for us.

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 Thank you, Christine.

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 We stand out of just a small act of reverence

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 for the Word of God.

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 Acts 16.

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 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra.

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 A disciple was there named Timothy,

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 the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,

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 but his father was a Greek.

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 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

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 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him,

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 and he took him and circumcised him

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 because of the Jews who were in those places,

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 for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

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 As they went on their way through the cities,

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 they delivered to them for observance

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 the decisions that had been reached

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 by the disciples and elders who were in Jerusalem.

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 So the churches were strengthened in the faith,

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 and they increased in numbers daily.

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 And they went through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia,

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 having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit

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 to speak up the Word in Asia.

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 And when they had come up to Mysia,

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 they attempted to go into Brythynia,

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 but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

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 So the passing by Mysia,

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 they went down to Troas,

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 and a vision appeared of Paul in the night.

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 A man of Macedonia was standing there,

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 urging him and saying,

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 come over to Macedonia and help us.

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 And when Paul had seen the vision,

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 immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia,

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 concluding that God had called us

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 to preach the gospel to them.

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 So setting sail from Troas,

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 we made a direct voyage to Samothrace,

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 and the following day to Neapolis,

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 and from there to Philippi,

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 which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia,

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 and a Roman colony.

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 We remained in this city some days,

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 and on the Sabbath day,

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 we went outside the gate into the riverside,

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 where we supposed there was a place of prayer,

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 and we sat down and spoke to the woman

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 who had come together.

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 One who had heard us was a woman named Lydia

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 from the city of Theatira,

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 a seller of purple goods,

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 who was a worshiper of God.

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 The Lord opened her heart to pay attention

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 to what was said to Paul,

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 and after she was baptized,

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 and her household as well,

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 she urged us, saying,

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 if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,

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 come to my house and stay.

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 And she prevailed upon us.

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 As we were going to the place of prayer,

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 we were met by a slave girl

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 who had a spirit of divination,

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 and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.

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 She followed Paul and us, crying out,

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 These men are servants of the Most High God,

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 who are proclaimed to you the way of salvation.

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 And this she kept doing for many days.

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 Paul, having become greatly annoyed,

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 turned and said to the spirit,

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 I command you in the name of Jesus Christ

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 to come out of her.

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 And it came out of that very hour.

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 And when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone,

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 they seized Paul and Silas,

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 and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.

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 And when they have brought them to the magistrates,

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 they said,

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 These men are Jews,

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 and they are disturbing our city.

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 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us

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 as Romans to accept or practice.

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 The crowd joined in attacking them,

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 and the magistrates tore the garments off them

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 and gave orders to beat them with rods.

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 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them,

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 they threw them into prison,

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 ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

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 Having received this order,

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 he put them into the inner prison

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 and fastened their feet in the stocks.

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 About midnight,

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 Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,

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 and the prisoners were listening to them.

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 And suddenly there was a great earthquake,

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 so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.

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 And immediately all the doors were opened,

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 and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

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 When the jailers woke and saw that the prison doors were open,

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 he drew his sword and was about to kill himself,

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 supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

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 But Paul cried with a loud voice,

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 Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.

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 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in,

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 and trembling with fear,

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 he fell down before Paul and Silas.

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 Then he brought them out and said,

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 Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

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 And they said,

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 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,

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 you and your household.

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 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him

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 and to all who were in his house.

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 And he took them the same hour of the night

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 and washed their wounds,

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 and he baptized at once,

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 and he and all his family.

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 Then he brought them up into his house

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 and set food before them.

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 And he rejoiced,

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 along with his entire household,

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 that he had believed in God.

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 But when it was that day,

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 the magistrates sent the police, saying,

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 Let those men go.

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 And the jailer reported these words to Paul,

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 saying,

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 The magistrates have sent to let you go.

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 Therefore, come out now and go in peace.

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 But Paul said to them,

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 They have beaten us publicly,

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 uncondemned,

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 men who are Roman citizens,

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 and have thrown us into prison.

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 And do they now throw us out secretly?

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 No.

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 Let them come themselves and take us out.

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 The police reported these words to the magistrates,

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 and they were afraid when they heard

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 that they were Roman citizens.

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 So they came and apologized to them,

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 and they took them out

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 and asked them to leave the city.

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 So they went out of the prison

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 and visited Lydia.

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 And when they had seen the brothers,

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 they encouraged them and departed.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Thank you.

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 Please take a seat.

00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:04.960
 And as we read,

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 there's a lot going on in this passage today.

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 Paul's on his second missionary journey.

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 But that journey to Philippi and beyond

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 was anything but a straight line.

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 It was a journey filled with detours.

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 But we see from the start

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 that this whole journey is entirely spirit-led.

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 Now, I say Paul.

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 It's Paul's second missionary journey.

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 But it's not just Paul on this trip.

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 There's others with him.

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 Paul is traveling with a guy named Silas.

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 We saw that at the end of chapter 15.

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 And in this chapter, verse 3,

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 Paul also meets a young man named Timothy.

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 Paul takes Timothy under his wings

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 and drags him along on this trip.

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 And Timothy actually ends up being

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 one of Paul's most trusted co-laborers.

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 And this is the Timothy that Paul wrote

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 1 and 2 Timothy to

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 and was with Paul as he wrote other letters.

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 Also, verse 10,

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 we see that Luke,

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 the one who's writing the book of Acts,

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 is also traveling with Paul.

00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.940
 Because throughout Acts so far,

00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:06.180
 Luke has been writing in the third person

00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:07.740
 that they did this and that.

00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:08.779
 They went here.

00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:09.399
 They went there.

00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.959
 But starting in verse 10,

00:11:11.319 --> 00:11:11.860
 there's a shift.

00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.860
 Luke shifts to the first person.

00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:15.759
 We went on to Macedonia.

00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:16.799
 We went here.

00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:17.419
 We went there.

00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.899
 So this is probably how Luke

00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.259
 got his material for Acts,

00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:23.919
 traveling around with Paul and others.

00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:26.279
 And also for the gospel of Luke.

00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:27.319
 Okay?

00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:28.779
 So Paul and associates,

00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.319
 he has a team going with him,

00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:33.279
 preaching in his second missionary journey.

00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:35.439
 And they're sharing the good news of Jesus.

00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:37.720
 And so we read in verse 5,

00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.240
 the churches as a result of that

00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.920
 were strengthened in the faith

00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:43.160
 and they increased in numbers daily.

00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.620
 They're preaching the gospel here.

00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:45.759
 They're preaching the gospel there.

00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:46.779
 And they have an idea.

00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:47.960
 Let's go further.

00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:50.379
 Let's go preach the gospel in Asia.

00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.160
 Let's go to Asia.

00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.320
 But we read in verse 6,

00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:56.259
 they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit

00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:58.040
 to speak the word in Asia.

00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:00.519
 Now that's weird, right?

00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.700
 When you woke up this morning,

00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:02.920
 got ready for church,

00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.360
 I don't think you were expecting

00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.899
 to come and hear God tell somebody,

00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.720
 don't preach the gospel.

00:12:10.079 --> 00:12:12.019
 It's a good thing to preach the gospel.

00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:14.220
 It's good to preach in a new place,

00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.579
 in Asia.

00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.639
 And yet the Spirit told them,

00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:19.559
 no, don't go to Asia.

00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.519
 But they weren't fazed.

00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:22.679
 They heard the Spirit,

00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:23.840
 obeyed him,

00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.240
 and followed his lead.

00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:25.939
 They said,

00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.120
 okay, if not Asia,

00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:27.779
 we'll go elsewhere.

00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.679
 And so they passed through Phrygia

00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:32.039
 and Galatia onto Mycenae.

00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:33.699
 And then in verse 7,

00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.459
 they attempted to go to a place

00:12:35.459 --> 00:12:36.519
 called Bithynia.

00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:39.099
 And now just to clarify all these places,

00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.659
 when we think of Asia,

00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.579
 we're often thinking here in Hong Kong

00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:44.699
 or Japan, China, Thailand.

00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:47.459
 But here, Asia is likely just referring

00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:49.799
 to the province of Asia,

00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:51.339
 which is on the west coast

00:12:51.339 --> 00:12:52.639
 of modern-day Turkey.

00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:54.019
 So not Hong Kong,

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.819
 but he was just going

00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:56.079
 to the west coast of Turkey.

00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:57.780
 And they couldn't go west.

00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.340
 The Spirit told them no.

00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.080
 So instead,

00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:01.420
 they headed north

00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:03.139
 in the direction of Bithynia,

00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:05.040
 which is northern Turkey.

00:13:06.040 --> 00:13:06.720
 And so take two.

00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.360
 Not Asia.

00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:09.700
 They're heading to Bithynia.

00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:12.300
 And again, verse 7 says,

00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:13.920
 the Spirit of Jesus

00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:15.280
 did not allow them.

00:13:16.280 --> 00:13:17.100
 I don't know about you,

00:13:17.160 --> 00:13:18.020
 but in my flesh,

00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.280
 I don't like to be told no.

00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:21.520
 I don't like when doors close on me.

00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.140
 Even literally,

00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.400
 when I'm rushing into the MTR,

00:13:23.540 --> 00:13:25.360
 and I see the doors close,

00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.519
 that's already enough

00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.480
 to get me upset.

00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:28.860
 But much more than that,

00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.200
 when it's higher stakes,

00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.279
 when we've got plans

00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.659
 for school, career,

00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:33.700
 relationships,

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.539
 and doors close,

00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:37.120
 that is an interruption

00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.039
 to our plans.

00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:40.220
 But we see for Paul and company

00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:41.480
 that as they're led

00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.159
 by the Spirit,

00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:43.860
 they're not phased

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.200
 when their plans change.

00:13:45.300 --> 00:13:46.000
 They don't complain.

00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:47.800
 They don't grumble about it.

00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.320
 As they obey the Spirit,

00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.159
 those no's,

00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.200
 they don't come as detours

00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.159
 and interruptions

00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.779
 to their plans,

00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:56.220
 but they're simply ways

00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:58.220
 in which the Spirit guides them.

00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.919
 The Spirit said no to Asia,

00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:00.759
 that's okay.

00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:02.120
 We'll go on to Phrygia,

00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:02.819
 Galatia,

00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:03.659
 Mycenae.

00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.419
 When the Spirit doesn't allow

00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:06.500
 us into Bithynia,

00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:07.799
 that's okay too.

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.279
 And they go onwards

00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.079
 to Troas.

00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:11.839
 They're surrendered

00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:13.839
 to where the Spirit leads them.

00:14:14.579 --> 00:14:15.339
 They don't hold on

00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:16.179
 to their plans too tightly.

00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:17.279
 They have good plans,

00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:19.639
 but they don't hold on to them.

00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.259
 They follow

00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:22.019
 as the Spirit leads.

00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.819
 And in this case,

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.000
 for Paul,

00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.259
 the Holy Spirit

00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.840
 gave them specific directions

00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.600
 and specific instructions

00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.720
 on what to do.

00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:33.079
 The Spirit can lead us

00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:33.559
 in other ways

00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.919
 with more general instructions,

00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:35.960
 which we'll see later

00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.919
 with Lydia's case.

00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:37.819
 But in,

00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:38.980
 for Paul,

00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.659
 the Spirit's direction

00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.720
 was very specific.

00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.939
 Don't go to Asia

00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.960
 or Bithynia.

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.620
 And the text

00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.460
 doesn't tell us

00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:47.259
 how the Spirit

00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.439
 communicated to them.

00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:49.720
 But sometimes,

00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.060
 you know,

00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:51.500
 the Spirit can lead us

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.840
 through our circumstances.

00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.480
 If you're asking,

00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:55.440
 what's God's plan

00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.160
 for my life?

00:14:56.760 --> 00:14:57.920
 Sometimes God answers

00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:58.760
 by opening doors

00:14:58.760 --> 00:14:59.500
 or closing doors.

00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:00.740
 If you're accepted

00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.740
 into that university

00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.440
 or turned down

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.160
 from that job,

00:15:03.920 --> 00:15:05.300
 God can lead you

00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.680
 through His providence.

00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.520
 Sometimes the Spirit

00:15:08.520 --> 00:15:09.960
 can speak to us directly.

00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.920
 Some people hear

00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:13.300
 the Spirit speaking audibly

00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:15.280
 or the Spirit stirring up

00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:16.280
 a thought in our minds.

00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:17.340
 For example,

00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:17.980
 we read before

00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.019
 in Acts chapter 8,

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.180
 verse 29,

00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.580
 the Spirit said to Philip,

00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:24.160
 go over and join this chariot.

00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.960
 That was a clear instruction

00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.879
 that Philip heard

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.560
 and obeyed.

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.519
 Philip went

00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.759
 and joined the exact chariot

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.860
 the Spirit led him to.

00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:32.000
 And sometimes,

00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.040
 the Spirit speaks to us

00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:33.440
 like that.

00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.040
 In verse 9,

00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.240
 we see yet another way.

00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.860
 The Spirit directed Paul

00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.220
 through a vision

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.019
 in the night.

00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.460
 A man in Macedonia

00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.200
 was standing there

00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.340
 urging him and saying,

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:45.280
 come over to Macedonia

00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.200
 and help us.

00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.560
 And when Paul

00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.379
 had seen the vision,

00:15:48.520 --> 00:15:48.900
 immediately,

00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:51.720
 we sought to go on

00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.500
 into Macedonia,

00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:54.100
 concluding that God

00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.920
 had called us

00:15:54.920 --> 00:15:55.700
 to preach the gospel

00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.060
 to them.

00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:58.100
 So after the Spirit

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.240
 told them no twice,

00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.420
 we finally see why.

00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:02.620
 The Spirit wanted them

00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.720
 to go to a specific place,

00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:05.200
 to go to Macedonia first.

00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:07.180
 And he made it clear

00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:08.420
 to them through a vision.

00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:09.900
 That's one way

00:16:09.900 --> 00:16:10.780
 in which the Spirit

00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:11.340
 can lead us.

00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.980
 And so Paul obeyed,

00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.960
 and in verse 12,

00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.600
 they set sail onwards

00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.440
 to Philippi,

00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:18.279
 which is a leading city

00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.159
 of the district

00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:19.879
 of Macedonia

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.680
 and a Roman colony.

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.800
 He follows the Spirit's guidance

00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:24.940
 and they go to that

00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.379
 city of Philippi.

00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:27.920
 And there,

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.639
 Paul did what he normally does

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.300
 as he goes into

00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:31.019
 any new city.

00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.840
 In verse 13,

00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.659
 on the Sabbath,

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.060
 they went to the synagogue,

00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.440
 or in this case,

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.080
 the closest thing

00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.519
 they could find

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.019
 to a synagogue

00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:39.000
 in Philippi.

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.379
 They went to a place

00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:40.960
 of prayer,

00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.080
 sat down,

00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.960
 and they spoke

00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.500
 to the woman

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.539
 who had come together.

00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:45.419
 Verse 13.

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.379
 Now when Luke wrote

00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.019
 that they spoke

00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.480
 to the women,

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.379
 I don't think they were

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.059
 just talking about

00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:50.399
 the weather.

00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.059
 Obviously,

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:51.879
 Paul,

00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.600
 they were preaching

00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.899
 to them the good news

00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.659
 of Jesus Christ,

00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.639
 to the woman sitting there.

00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.639
 And in verse 14,

00:16:58.059 --> 00:16:59.039
 one who heard us

00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.279
 was a woman named Lydia

00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.139
 from the city of Thyatira,

00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.659
 a seller of purple goods.

00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:05.099
 This is a woman

00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.559
 who was quite likely well off.

00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.480
 She was also

00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.539
 a worshiper of God,

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.960
 meaning that she was

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.920
 a God-fearing Gentile.

00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.599
 And notice this.

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.940
 Notice how the spirit works.

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.859
 Verse 14.

00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.039
 It says,

00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.519
 the Lord opened Lydia's heart

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.359
 to pay attention

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:21.000
 to what was said by Paul.

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.220
 See,

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.319
 Paul preached the gospel.

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.460
 Paul was the one

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.899
 who spoke.

00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.500
 Several women heard.

00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:28.420
 But the decisive change

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.339
 in Lydia

00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.700
 is that the Lord

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.859
 opened her heart.

00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.920
 The spirit opened Lydia's heart

00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:35.420
 to receive the gospel,

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.879
 and so she believed.

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:39.820
 And that is another way

00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:41.040
 in which the spirit leads us.

00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.460
 He leads us

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.660
 to faith in Christ.

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.240
 Sometimes the spirit

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.560
 gives us specific instructions,

00:17:46.780 --> 00:17:47.800
 like go to Macedonia.

00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.660
 But another crucial way

00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:51.360
 in which the spirit leads us

00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:53.460
 is by opening our hearts

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:55.300
 so that we can see

00:17:55.300 --> 00:17:56.540
 the beauty of Christ.

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.800
 We can't believe in Jesus

00:17:58.800 --> 00:17:59.700
 without the spirit.

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.320
 The faith we have

00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:02.720
 is a gift from God

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.800
 through the spirit.

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:06.019
 Because it's the spirit

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.259
 who led Paul himself

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.399
 to go and preach the gospel.

00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.539
 The spirit led Paul

00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.639
 uses people

00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:11.779
 to preach the gospel.

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.960
 Words are required.

00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.779
 Romans 10 says,

00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:15.220
 faith comes from hearing

00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.319
 and hearing through

00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.079
 the word of Christ.

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.879
 The spirit led Paul

00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.799
 to preach the gospel

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.220
 to Lydia.

00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.659
 And also,

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.619
 it was the spirit

00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.980
 who opened Lydia's heart

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:25.359
 to receive the good news

00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.159
 so that the words

00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:26.819
 that were spoken

00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:28.019
 wouldn't just stay in her head

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.139
 but sink into her heart

00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.440
 and she would believe in Christ.

00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:32.880
 And so when we scatter,

00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:34.120
 when we are led by the spirit

00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.960
 to preach the gospel,

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:37.180
 we can have that comfort

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.420
 and confidence in sharing,

00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.660
 knowing that the outcome

00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:41.180
 isn't just up to us.

00:18:41.580 --> 00:18:42.320
 It doesn't depend

00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:43.480
 on our clever arguments

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.059
 or how persuasive we are.

00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:46.519
 The same spirit

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.259
 who leads us to speak

00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:50.820
 is the one who also works

00:18:50.820 --> 00:18:51.759
 in those who listen

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.700
 and gives faith.

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.460
 And so if we follow

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.320
 the spirit's lead

00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:56.259
 but no one cares,

00:18:56.580 --> 00:18:57.160
 that's okay.

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.100
 If the spirit turned Paul

00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.319
 away from Asia and Bithynia,

00:19:00.419 --> 00:19:00.859
 that's okay.

00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.459
 We just need to obey

00:19:02.459 --> 00:19:04.139
 and trust God for the fruit.

00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.899
 The spirit gives faith.

00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.299
 That's what we learned

00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:07.679
 from Lydia.

00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:08.879
 The spirit leads

00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:10.179
 by opening hearts.

00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.439
 But as we keep reading,

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.539
 we see that as the spirit leads,

00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:16.779
 there will also be opposition.

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.579
 Paul and company,

00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.639
 they stay with Lydia

00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.500
 a while in Philippi

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.059
 but one day in verse 16,

00:19:22.719 --> 00:19:23.939
 they meet a slave girl

00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:25.579
 who had a spirit of divination

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.740
 and brought her owners

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.259
 much gain by fortune telling.

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.259
 There was an evil spirit

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.539
 in this girl harassing her.

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.640
 Yet also,

00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.720
 there was one advantage

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.759
 to that evil spirit

00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.879
 that the owners were exploiting.

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.680
 The spirit gave that girl

00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:40.420
 the ability to do fortune telling

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.859
 and that made her owners

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.599
 a lot of money

00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.440
 and they liked that.

00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:43.980
 They liked that

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.200
 there was this evil spirit in her

00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.799
 because that would give them

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.480
 lots of money.

00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.980
 But also,

00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.779
 the girl followed them around,

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.359
 followed Paul and them around

00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:53.000
 crying out.

00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:55.420
 These men are servants

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.619
 of the Most High God

00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:58.099
 who proclaimed to you

00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.899
 the way of salvation.

00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.179
 She did this for a few days

00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:02.839
 and then in verse 18,

00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:03.619
 Paul,

00:20:03.739 --> 00:20:05.119
 having become greatly annoyed,

00:20:05.479 --> 00:20:06.559
 turned and said to the spirit,

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.539
 I command you

00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.399
 in the name of Jesus Christ

00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.239
 to come out of her.

00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.139
 I love that it says

00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.479
 that Paul was annoyed.

00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:14.259
 Like,

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.199
 have you been so annoyed

00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:15.939
 at someone you wanted

00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.839
 to do an exorcism?

00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:18.079
 That's what happened to Paul.

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.439
 He was so annoyed with them,

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.899
 he decided to cast out that spirit.

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.819
 So Paul commands

00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.759
 that spirit to leave.

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:25.819
 And we read in verse 18,

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.059
 the evil spirit came out

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.960
 that very hour.

00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:31.140
 Now I think the ESV translation

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.299
 of that very hour

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.900
 is a bit misleading.

00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.759
 It's a bit too weak.

00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.680
 A better translation

00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.700
 is at that moment

00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:39.240
 or that very instant.

00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.400
 The point is that

00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.359
 at the name of Jesus,

00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.420
 the evil spirit

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.759
 left her instantly.

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.619
 And that is a work

00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.559
 of the Holy Spirit too.

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.819
 1 Corinthians 12 tells us

00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.559
 that healing

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.900
 and gifts of miracles,

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.000
 the signs and wonders,

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.819
 those are works of the spirit,

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.819
 gifts of the spirit.

00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.660
 The spirit has power

00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.819
 to set captives free.

00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:00.140
 And so the girl is healed

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:02.480
 but not everybody liked that.

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.900
 Her owners

00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:05.240
 don't like the work

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.700
 of the spirit.

00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.059
 They would rather

00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:08.220
 have her be oppressed

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.480
 by an evil spirit

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:11.319
 rather than to see

00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:13.000
 the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.539
 They were mad

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.279
 because that girl

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.940
 was set free.

00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.400
 She couldn't do

00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.440
 her fortune telling anymore.

00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.680
 They couldn't exploit her

00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.480
 anymore for income.

00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.900
 They're mad about it.

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.960
 And so they drag

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.880
 Paul and Silas

00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.940
 before the authorities.

00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.420
 Her owners

00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.380
 make up accusations

00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.339
 about Paul and Silas

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.400
 in verse 21 saying,

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.839
 they advocate customs

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.900
 that are not lawful

00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.839
 for us as Romans

00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:34.279
 to accept or practice.

00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.160
 And that's pretty rich.

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.200
 They don't care

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.519
 about the Roman customs.

00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.460
 They don't care at all.

00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.619
 They just care

00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.200
 about their money.

00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.900
 But yet the crowd

00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.579
 buys it

00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.539
 and they attack

00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.400
 Paul and Silas

00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.880
 brutally.

00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.400
 Their clothes

00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:48.980
 are ripped off.

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.599
 That's what it says.

00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.740
 They're beaten with rods.

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.579
 I imagine them

00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.059
 on the ground

00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.140
 just covering their faces

00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:54.480
 while surrounded by mob

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.400
 that's beating them

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:55.740
 with sticks

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.519
 with baseball bats.

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.339
 Blood streaming down

00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:58.839
 their face.

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.559
 And after that

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.339
 they're left for dead.

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.700
 They have their feet

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.299
 bound in socks.

00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.420
 They're dragged

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.660
 and thrown into jail

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.720
 bleeding all over.

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.680
 And wow.

00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:11.200
 I can't imagine

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:13.580
 how much that would have hurt.

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.240
 How defenseless,

00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.480
 how weak they would have felt.

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.160
 And the injustice

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.840
 of it all.

00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.720
 All that came

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.820
 as they were following

00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:22.440
 the spirit,

00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.700
 preaching the gospel,

00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:25.519
 doing what God commanded.

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.220
 And then

00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.259
 they're thrown into jail.

00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.039
 They're beaten brutally.

00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.600
 We learn from this

00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.660
 that when the spirit

00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.240
 leads us

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.080
 it's not always comfortable.

00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.400
 Don't let anyone

00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:36.880
 fool you

00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.840
 that God promises

00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:39.580
 a nice easy life.

00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:41.080
 If we want

00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:41.860
 to follow Christ,

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.580
 if we want

00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.420
 to be spirit led,

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.200
 let's count the cost.

00:22:45.780 --> 00:22:46.800
 Because sometimes

00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.360
 the spirit

00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.420
 leads us to suffer.

00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.240
 Jesus wasn't

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.920
 spared the cross

00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.960
 and he said,

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.060
 he told his followers,

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.360
 if they persecuted me

00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.940
 they will also persecute you.

00:22:56.280 --> 00:22:57.620
 They will also persecute you.

00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:58.680
 No servant

00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.100
 is greater

00:22:59.100 --> 00:22:59.780
 than his master.

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.620
 So if we follow

00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.540
 the spirit's lead,

00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:04.500
 it will cost us.

00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:06.579
 But what happens

00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.680
 next is remarkable.

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.259
 Verse 25,

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.319
 it's the middle

00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.839
 of the night

00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.339
 and Paul,

00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.519
 but still Paul

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.200
 and Silas

00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.839
 are wide awake.

00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.839
 They're in jail.

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.460
 They're bleeding

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.500
 all over the floors.

00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.200
 But yet,

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.000
 they're praying

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.039
 and singing hymns

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.420
 to God.

00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:20.759
 They're not doing

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.460
 this in private.

00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.460
 They're praying,

00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.700
 singing so loudly

00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.160
 that all the prisoners

00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:26.380
 were listening to them.

00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.099
 All the prisoners

00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.819
 could hear them

00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.380
 praise God

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.500
 in prison.

00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.839
 And remember,

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.920
 they're still bruised.

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.740
 They're still bleeding.

00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.259
 They're probably

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.320
 beaten so hard

00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:38.019
 that their jaws,

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.300
 it hurts to move.

00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.340
 Their jaws are swollen.

00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.180
 It hurts to sing.

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:41.820
 And yet,

00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.980
 they still decide

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.640
 to do it.

00:23:44.320 --> 00:23:45.519
 They're in so much pain

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.940
 yet rejoicing.

00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:50.060
 And in verse 26,

00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.420
 as they pray and sing,

00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.200
 it says,

00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:53.240
 suddenly there was

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.019
 a great earthquake

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.680
 so that the foundations

00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.460
 of the prison

00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.039
 were shaken.

00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:58.600
 All the doors opened

00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.200
 and everyone

00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.840
 was set loose.

00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.740
 And now,

00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:02.800
 that's clearly

00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.640
 a miracle, right?

00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.320
 That God shook the earth

00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.100
 as they were praying

00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.480
 and singing.

00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.680
 God shook the earth

00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.500
 and the prisoners

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.140
 were set free.

00:24:09.280 --> 00:24:10.040
 That's a miracle,

00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:10.840
 that earthquake.

00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:11.900
 That's a supernatural

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.860
 display of God's power.

00:24:15.020 --> 00:24:16.000
 But let's stop to think.

00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:17.320
 What is the greater miracle?

00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.820
 What is the greater display

00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:21.259
 of the glory of God?

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.700
 For God to shake the earth,

00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.480
 send an earthquake?

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:28.280
 Or for God to raise up

00:24:28.280 --> 00:24:28.840
 for himself,

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.360
 Paul and Silas,

00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:32.059
 who are bleeding

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.279
 all over the floors,

00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.459
 who in their pain,

00:24:34.719 --> 00:24:35.459
 in the injustice

00:24:35.459 --> 00:24:36.179
 of it all,

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.019
 they want nothing more

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.459
 than to pray

00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:40.299
 and sing

00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.479
 in worship of God.

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:44.400
 I think we can all agree

00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:46.460
 that's not normal.

00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.779
 Their reaction

00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.380
 isn't normal.

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.339
 It's easy to be happy

00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.019
 and praise God

00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:52.079
 when life's good.

00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.960
 But no sane person

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.120
 gets beaten to a pulp

00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:56.779
 And then sings about it.

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.500
 No one does that.

00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.319
 That's not natural.

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:02.039
 That is a work of God.

00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:04.099
 That's a work of the Spirit.

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.360
 Paul and Silas,

00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.319
 in prison,

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:08.279
 have spirit-led joy.

00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:11.059
 To be so captivated

00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.059
 and in love with God

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.779
 that nothing,

00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.319
 not even a pool of blood

00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.079
 on the prison floor,

00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.599
 can steal a single word

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.799
 of praise from our lips.

00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:19.259
 That's the power of God.

00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.240
 To save from the heart,

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.019
 not just to know

00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.519
 in our heads,

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:24.119
 but to save in our hearts.

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.919
 Nothing can separate us

00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.799
 from the love of Christ.

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:28.099
 Neither tribulation

00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:29.019
 or distress

00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.939
 or persecution

00:25:29.939 --> 00:25:31.019
 or famine

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.119
 or nakedness

00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:32.939
 or danger

00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:33.859
 or sword.

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.539
 That knowing

00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.399
 all these things

00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.420
 we are more than conquerors

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.140
 through Christ

00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.980
 who loved us.

00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.200
 That is the display

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.420
 of the power of God.

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.519
 Do you want a joy like that?

00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.920
 A joy that's not only

00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.820
 fair weather joy,

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.080
 but that shines even

00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:49.400
 in the darkest places.

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:52.600
 Even in the greatest pain.

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.340
 To have that joy,

00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:56.560
 that is the power of God.

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.100
 Even more

00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:59.700
 than the strongest earthquake.

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.780
 The earth shook

00:26:01.780 --> 00:26:03.080
 and in verse 27,

00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:05.100
 the jailer is freaking out

00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.459
 thinking,

00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:06.859
 the prisoners are gone.

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.519
 I'm done.

00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.259
 They're going to kill me.

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.919
 They're going to kill me

00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:10.199
 because I let all

00:26:10.199 --> 00:26:11.159
 these prisoners escape.

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.980
 In verse 28,

00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.079
 Paul cried out

00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.839
 with a loud voice,

00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.759
 do not harm yourself

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:18.240
 for we are all here.

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.319
 Don't harm yourself.

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.079
 We're all here.

00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:23.439
 And this is what Jesus means

00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:24.119
 when he said,

00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.159
 love your enemies.

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.319
 The jailer,

00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:28.039
 that's the guy

00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.639
 keeping Paul in prison.

00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.519
 Paul cared for him.

00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.719
 The enemy,

00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.539
 the persecutor,

00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.960
 the one who was

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.240
 keeping him in prison.

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.440
 And the jailer

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.420
 trembled with fear,

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.660
 fell to the ground

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.759
 before Paul and Silas

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.740
 and asked in verse 30,

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.559
 sirs,

00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:44.700
 what must I do

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.440
 to be saved?

00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.920
 That's the same question

00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.920
 we discussed last week

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.700
 as the Jerusalem council

00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:51.440
 decided on circumcision.

00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.920
 What does it mean

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.420
 to be Christian?

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.860
 What must I do

00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.539
 to be saved?

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.240
 And once again,

00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.440
 the answer is that

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.759
 we're saved by grace alone,

00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.940
 through faith alone,

00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.859
 in Christ alone.

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.859
 Verse 31,

00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:03.619
 they say,

00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.799
 believe in the Lord Jesus.

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.559
 How are you saved?

00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.980
 Believe in the Lord Jesus

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.000
 and you will be saved,

00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.420
 you and your household.

00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.720
 That's it.

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.099
 All you do is believe.

00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.200
 That's the gospel.

00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.559
 The bad news is that

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:16.119
 we are all sinners

00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:17.480
 and like the jailer,

00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.640
 we should all fall

00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.279
 to the ground

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.299
 and tremble with fear.

00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:22.259
 But the good news

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.319
 is that Jesus died

00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:24.559
 on the cross for our sins

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.500
 and rose from the dead

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:27.259
 so that all who believe in him

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.240
 may be saved

00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.500
 and have life to the full.

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.180
 Believe in the Lord Jesus

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.579
 and you will be saved.

00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:35.059
 They preached this good news

00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.619
 to the jailer

00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.640
 and his whole household.

00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.819
 And once again,

00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.599
 the spirit granted faith,

00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.640
 opened their hearts.

00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:43.200
 The jailer and his whole family

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.619
 believed

00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:45.440
 and they were baptized immediately.

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:49.660
 And I love the picture

00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.839
 in verse 34

00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:53.039
 of the power of the gospel,

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.319
 the radical reconciliation

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.960
 brought by the gospel.

00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.099
 We see in verse 34,

00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.699
 the jailer,

00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:01.079
 Paul and Silas,

00:28:01.219 --> 00:28:02.319
 it's the middle of the night.

00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:04.019
 They sit together

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:06.179
 and they eat together.

00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.819
 The jailer prepares,

00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.859
 gives a meal

00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:10.159
 for Paul and Silas.

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.559
 They were once persecutors,

00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.719
 once enemies,

00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.599
 but now they're friends

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.259
 eating together,

00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.259
 sharing the same table.

00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:18.679
 And more than friends,

00:28:18.959 --> 00:28:20.299
 that through the blood of Jesus,

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.259
 they're now family.

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.719
 They're now family.

00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:24.720
 The gospel reconciles

00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.640
 and unites us together

00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.819
 in one spirit.

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.019
 And so it's only fitting

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.539
 once again in verse 34,

00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.720
 the jailer rejoices.

00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:35.299
 There's spirit-led joy again.

00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:37.120
 He rejoices that he had come

00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.779
 to know Christ

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:39.600
 and not just him,

00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.259
 but his whole household,

00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.860
 his whole household was saved.

00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.839
 The joy that Paul and Silas had

00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:47.720
 is now shared with the jailer

00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.620
 and his household

00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.779
 by the spirit.

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:52.079
 And we read on after that,

00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.819
 Paul and Silas,

00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.759
 they're set free.

00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.240
 And in verse 39,

00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.619
 they're kicked out of Philippi,

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.319
 they leave,

00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.599
 and they continue on

00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.920
 in the missionary journey.

00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.619
 So in this chapter,

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.220
 we see the start

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.359
 of the Philippian church.

00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.839
 This is the start

00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.940
 of the church in Philippi

00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:11.700
 as Lydia and the jailer's family

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:13.019
 turn to Christ.

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.559
 And again,

00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.700
 once again,

00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.899
 this is an entirely

00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.720
 spirit-led journey.

00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.759
 I hope we saw that

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.720
 reading this chapter.

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.859
 How the spirit of God

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.420
 was moving

00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:23.099
 throughout this whole chapter,

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.119
 throughout this whole journey.

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:26.599
 From the spirit directing them,

00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.960
 spirit-led detours,

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.500
 the spirit giving them

00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.519
 specific instruction,

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.220
 not Asia,

00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.960
 not Bithynia,

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.259
 but onto Macedonia.

00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:35.980
 We also saw spirit-led faith

00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.379
 as the spirit opened Lydia

00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.599
 and the jailer's heart

00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.819
 to receive the gospel.

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:42.259
 And we saw Paul and Silas

00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:44.160
 endure that spirit-led suffering.

00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.879
 But even in the pain,

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:48.799
 they had spirit-led joy.

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.960
 They overflowed with that

00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.859
 and that was shared

00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:52.419
 with the jailer and his family.

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.980
 That's how we see

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:55.180
 the spirit of God

00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.480
 lead and move

00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.419
 in Acts 16.

00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.519
 And that sounds amazing,

00:29:59.579 --> 00:29:59.940
 doesn't it?

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.799
 It sounds so clear.

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.759
 A vision,

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.460
 earthquake,

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.619
 obvious no's

00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:05.059
 and obvious yes's.

00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:07.439
 And it's easy to read this

00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:08.259
 and think ourselves,

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.519
 hey, that's great

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.500
 for the apostle Paul.

00:30:11.239 --> 00:30:12.479
 That's great that the spirit

00:30:12.479 --> 00:30:13.619
 worked in the apostle Paul.

00:30:14.719 --> 00:30:16.159
 But my life doesn't feel

00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:16.839
 like that right now.

00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.919
 I'm not getting visions.

00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:22.579
 I'm not hearing audible instructions

00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.479
 on where to go.

00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.159
 How do I know

00:30:25.159 --> 00:30:26.559
 if I'm being led by the spirit

00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:28.619
 or I'm just making bad decisions

00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:30.000
 if bad things are just happening

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.519
 in my life?

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.980
 These detours.

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.079
 And if you felt that way,

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.859
 then you're not alone.

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.960
 As I was sharing earlier,

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.359
 in fact,

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.619
 I gotta be honest with you guys,

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.559
 the last few weeks

00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.339
 when I was mulling over

00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:41.879
 this passage,

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:44.019
 I had a bit of a tough time

00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.160
 preparing to preach this today.

00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.839
 Because as I was looking

00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.420
 over the text,

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.220
 I kept thinking,

00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:49.240
 hey,

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.339
 I don't really know

00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.839
 what to say.

00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.019
 I don't know what God

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.839
 wants me to share

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.639
 from this passage.

00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.519
 But then I sat down

00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:55.920
 at my desk

00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.379
 and I thought,

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.139
 okay,

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.299
 I gotta preach on Sunday.

00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:59.279
 That has to get done.

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.740
 So I'm just gonna lock in,

00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.420
 write something out.

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:01.940
 I'm just gonna,

00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.559
 I'm just gonna focus,

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.279
 write something out.

00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.379
 And so I wrote a short draft.

00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.460
 But as I was writing,

00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:10.139
 I knew that wasn't it.

00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:10.599
 Right?

00:31:10.619 --> 00:31:11.500
 That wasn't the right direction.

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:13.019
 So I scrapped it,

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:13.960
 tried again,

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.160
 start writing again,

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:15.940
 wrote another bit.

00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.399
 Again,

00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.000
 I knew what I was writing.

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.879
 That wasn't me.

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.359
 I can't say this with conviction.

00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.740
 There's no power in this message.

00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.920
 I can't preach this.

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.259
 And I was frustrated

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.379
 because I wasn't getting anywhere.

00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.339
 I'd already wasted

00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:28.500
 a day or two of work.

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:30.299
 And at that point in the week,

00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.039
 that's normally

00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:32.039
 when I'd be done preparing.

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:34.500
 But this time,

00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.940
 I was staring at a blank page.

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.539
 I had nothing.

00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.960
 And that's when I felt

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.000
 the Spirit speak to me.

00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.619
 It wasn't audibly

00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.799
 with words like Paul.

00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.539
 It wasn't,

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.799
 it wasn't in a vision.

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.299
 But I knew in my heart,

00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.720
 God was saying to me,

00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:48.859
 hey,

00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:50.019
 you can't preach

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.440
 without my Spirit.

00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.059
 You can be,

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.380
 you can only talk

00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:55.440
 about being Spirit-led

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.320
 as you are led

00:31:57.320 --> 00:31:57.880
 by the Spirit.

00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.960
 And he reminded me

00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.860
 of what we were reading

00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:02.180
 in John 15 this week,

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.200
 that I am the vine,

00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.559
 you are the branches.

00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.799
 Abide in me

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.759
 and I in you.

00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:07.559
 Apart from me,

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.680
 you can do nothing.

00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:11.080
 You can do absolutely nothing.

00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.259
 And that scripture,

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:13.920
 God didn't just,

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:16.360
 he didn't just remind me

00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:16.720
 in my head,

00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:18.860
 but truly felt in my heart,

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.600
 Jesus say,

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.960
 apart from me,

00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.360
 you can do nothing.

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.440
 Nothing.

00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:25.100
 And he said to me,

00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:26.500
 if you are to preach

00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:28.120
 about being Spirit-led,

00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:30.200
 you have to be Spirit-led.

00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:32.160
 Repent of your pride,

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.240
 your self-reliance,

00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.580
 thinking you can do it

00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.120
 on your own.

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.480
 Repent from distractions,

00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.539
 things consuming

00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.200
 your attention

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.600
 that keep you

00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.700
 from abiding in me

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:42.000
 and rejoicing in me.

00:32:43.080 --> 00:32:43.740
 And then I realized

00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.360
 as I was,

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.180
 that I,

00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.420
 in this process,

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.340
 was experiencing

00:32:47.340 --> 00:32:47.960
 this passage,

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.180
 these Spirit-led detours.

00:32:49.840 --> 00:32:49.940
 Right?

00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.920
 I had my planned sermon

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.340
 outlined,

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.080
 go to this and that place,

00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.839
 but God said no.

00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:55.159
 He was telling me,

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:55.699
 hey,

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.980
 I'm gonna let you sit

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:58.119
 and experience

00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:59.159
 these detours,

00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.319
 sit in frustration

00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.799
 until you learn

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.839
 to abide in me,

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.599
 rely on me,

00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:05.019
 surrender control to me,

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.859
 and truly say

00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.359
 from the heart,

00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.679
 I never want to do

00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:08.960
 anything except

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.460
 with the Spirit.

00:33:11.199 --> 00:33:11.939
 Only then

00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:13.740
 will my Spirit

00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.099
 lead you

00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.859
 to preach my word.

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.359
 That process

00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:17.879
 isn't fun.

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.939
 It's nothing as bad

00:33:18.939 --> 00:33:20.019
 as Paul

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:20.899
 and Silas

00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.619
 being beaten up

00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.459
 and thrown into jail.

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.159
 But I had to wrestle

00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.619
 with God

00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.939
 with much prayer.

00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.279
 It wasn't easy.

00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:28.519
 But in the end,

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.799
 there was joy in it

00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.399
 because

00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:32.199
 in that wrestle,

00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:33.439
 I could experience

00:33:33.439 --> 00:33:34.619
 with even more closeness

00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.319
 and intimacy,

00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:36.879
 God,

00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.579
 He spoke to me

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.659
 when I had nothing

00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:40.099
 to say.

00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.939
 And like me,

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.719
 I know there's others

00:33:42.719 --> 00:33:44.000
 here in this room

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.519
 who want to be led

00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.119
 by the Spirit.

00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:47.879
 but you're frustrated

00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:49.159
 or lost

00:33:49.159 --> 00:33:50.459
 because you don't

00:33:50.459 --> 00:33:51.119
 feel Him lead.

00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.519
 You know

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.479
 we are to be led

00:33:54.479 --> 00:33:54.939
 by the Spirit,

00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:55.759
 but maybe

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:57.000
 you don't feel Him

00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.459
 leading you

00:33:57.459 --> 00:33:57.979
 in your life.

00:33:58.719 --> 00:33:59.599
 Some of us here

00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:00.479
 are experiencing

00:34:00.479 --> 00:34:01.559
 our own detours

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.359
 in life,

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:04.099
 not happy about

00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:05.439
 how career is going

00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:06.759
 or relationships,

00:34:07.719 --> 00:34:08.019
 school.

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.679
 In those setbacks,

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.559
 you want to rejoice

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.359
 in God.

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.500
 You want to trust Him.

00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.920
 But the situation

00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.619
 is overwhelming.

00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.739
 It's painful.

00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.719
 You want to have joy,

00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.900
 but you find it

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.480
 so hard to.

00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.760
 Some of us

00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:24.239
 are here

00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:26.039
 because you're

00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.940
 searching for answers,

00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.480
 that there's more

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.380
 to life than this.

00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:30.820
 And you want

00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.400
 to know Jesus.

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.420
 You wish you believed

00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:32.800
 in Him,

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.539
 but you don't.

00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.239
 The gospel just

00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:36.099
 hasn't fully clicked

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.920
 in your heart,

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.760
 but you want it to,

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.760
 and you wish it would.

00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:41.619
 I want to encourage us

00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.960
 with Jesus' promises.

00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.239
 He says,

00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:44.639
 ask,

00:34:44.939 --> 00:34:45.259
 and it will be

00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.719
 given to you.

00:34:45.839 --> 00:34:46.099
 Seek,

00:34:46.339 --> 00:34:47.099
 and you will find.

00:34:47.439 --> 00:34:47.719
 Knock,

00:34:47.799 --> 00:34:48.199
 and it will be

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.919
 opened to you.

00:34:49.959 --> 00:34:50.500
 Jesus said,

00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.639
 if you then who are evil

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.359
 know how to give

00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.639
 good gifts to your children,

00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:55.059
 how much more

00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.199
 will the Heavenly Father

00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.759
 give the Holy Spirit

00:34:57.759 --> 00:34:59.339
 to those who ask Him

00:34:59.339 --> 00:35:00.619
 this good gift?

00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:03.299
 We heard last week

00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:05.359
 that we're made right

00:35:05.359 --> 00:35:05.839
 with God

00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:06.919
 by grace

00:35:06.919 --> 00:35:08.659
 through Jesus' death

00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.219
 on the cross.

00:35:10.319 --> 00:35:11.519
 Yet we see in the Bible,

00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.759
 we're saved by grace alone,

00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:14.120
 but we see in the Bible

00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:15.260
 so many commands

00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:17.040
 for us to follow Him,

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:18.080
 to do things.

00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.580
 Here as a church,

00:35:19.640 --> 00:35:20.460
 we talk so often

00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.140
 about scattering

00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:22.300
 and the Great Commission,

00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:22.840
 that command,

00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:24.120
 go and make disciples

00:35:24.120 --> 00:35:24.960
 of all nations.

00:35:25.220 --> 00:35:25.920
 That's a command

00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.840
 Jesus gives us.

00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.240
 Or 1 Peter 1,

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:30.080
 be holy for I am holy.

00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.300
 That's a command.

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.680
 Matthew 16,

00:35:33.100 --> 00:35:33.880
 if anyone wants

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.540
 to follow me,

00:35:34.620 --> 00:35:35.560
 let him deny himself,

00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:36.740
 take up his cross

00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:37.820
 and follow me.

00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:38.880
 That's a command.

00:35:39.680 --> 00:35:40.320
 So how is it

00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:41.280
 that we're saved by grace

00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:42.420
 but still have to do

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.059
 all these things?

00:35:44.580 --> 00:35:45.480
 The answer is that

00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.720
 Jesus didn't just die

00:35:46.720 --> 00:35:47.720
 to forgive us

00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:48.320
 of our sins.

00:35:48.680 --> 00:35:49.480
 He doesn't say

00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.660
 you're saved by grace alone.

00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:51.400
 Now you're left

00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.280
 all on your own

00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:53.140
 to follow me

00:35:53.140 --> 00:35:54.160
 and obey my commands.

00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.820
 You're in that prison.

00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.600
 I'm going to lead you

00:35:56.600 --> 00:35:57.140
 into that prison

00:35:57.140 --> 00:35:58.080
 and leave you there

00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:58.660
 on your own.

00:35:58.780 --> 00:35:59.900
 That's not what Jesus says.

00:36:00.580 --> 00:36:01.760
 When Jesus tells us,

00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:03.080
 go and make disciples,

00:36:03.580 --> 00:36:04.660
 it comes with that promise.

00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:06.659
 And I will be with you

00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:07.759
 to the end of the age.

00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:09.659
 When he commands us,

00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.779
 you shall be holy

00:36:10.779 --> 00:36:11.679
 for I am holy.

00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:12.679
 He says,

00:36:12.799 --> 00:36:13.659
 I will finish

00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.420
 the good work

00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.279
 that I began in you.

00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:18.039
 When he says,

00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:19.500
 take up your cross,

00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.099
 follow me.

00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:21.379
 He also promises

00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:22.980
 that we will be born again

00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.980
 through the Holy Spirit,

00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:25.619
 that he sent us a helper

00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:26.899
 to guide us

00:36:26.899 --> 00:36:28.019
 in all the truth

00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.960
 and lead us

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.819
 in paths of righteousness

00:36:29.819 --> 00:36:30.819
 for his namesake.

00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.199
 Jesus didn't just die

00:36:33.199 --> 00:36:34.059
 to forgive us

00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.699
 from our sins,

00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:36.239
 but to cleanse us

00:36:36.239 --> 00:36:37.259
 fully from our sins

00:36:37.259 --> 00:36:38.919
 to make us holy like him.

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:40.839
 He doesn't just demand

00:36:40.839 --> 00:36:41.659
 us to follow him.

00:36:42.399 --> 00:36:43.359
 He leads us

00:36:43.359 --> 00:36:44.119
 to follow him.

00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.939
 When Jesus says,

00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:46.559
 follow me,

00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:48.039
 that's a call

00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.239
 to be spirit-led.

00:36:49.919 --> 00:36:50.899
 To follow Jesus

00:36:50.899 --> 00:36:52.500
 is to be spirit-led.

00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:54.239
 We can't follow Jesus

00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:54.960
 without being led

00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.480
 by the spirit

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.399
 and the spirit

00:36:56.399 --> 00:36:58.019
 never leads us anywhere

00:36:58.019 --> 00:37:00.239
 aside from to Jesus.

00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:01.980
 In every way

00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.879
 the spirit leads us,

00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.720
 the end result

00:37:03.720 --> 00:37:04.539
 is deeper,

00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.400
 more intimate,

00:37:05.660 --> 00:37:07.099
 all satisfying faith

00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:08.280
 and joy in Christ.

00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.340
 Is that something

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:10.940
 that we want?

00:37:11.700 --> 00:37:12.640
 Is it something you want

00:37:12.640 --> 00:37:14.720
 to experience more of Christ?

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:17.480
 I hope that is

00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.480
 as followers of Christ.

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.900
 Then how do we take hold

00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:21.660
 of that promise?

00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:23.880
 How do we allow ourselves

00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:26.420
 to make ourselves available

00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:28.660
 for the spirit to lead us?

00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.840
 What are some practical ways?

00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:31.620
 First,

00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:32.400
 let's surrender

00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.220
 to the spirit.

00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.340
 Surrender

00:37:34.340 --> 00:37:35.500
 to his lead.

00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:37.160
 We saw how sometimes

00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:38.320
 the spirit changes

00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:38.900
 our plans.

00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.519
 We might want to go to Asia.

00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:41.460
 We might want to go

00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:42.000
 to Bithynia.

00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.039
 But sometimes

00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:44.039
 the spirit says no.

00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.820
 The spirit is leading us.

00:37:47.600 --> 00:37:48.720
 But the truth is

00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:49.100
 that

00:37:49.100 --> 00:37:50.579
 maybe

00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:51.780
 we don't want

00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:52.200
 to follow.

00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:53.780
 We aren't willing

00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.920
 to follow where he leads.

00:37:55.720 --> 00:37:56.559
 We want to go

00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.039
 our own way.

00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.519
 Examine your heart.

00:37:58.519 --> 00:38:00.019
 Is there anything

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.820
 you're holding back?

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.320
 Anywhere you're not

00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:02.900
 willing to go?

00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:04.719
 You say,

00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.880
 I'm willing to follow you,

00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:06.360
 Jesus,

00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:07.800
 except over there.

00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:09.619
 Is there an area

00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.360
 of our life

00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:11.500
 we need to surrender?

00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.400
 We surrender

00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:15.179
 and let's also pray.

00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:17.099
 Remember Jesus' promise

00:38:17.099 --> 00:38:17.460
 again.

00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.780
 The Father will give

00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:19.559
 the Holy Spirit

00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:21.159
 to those who ask him.

00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.599
 And this promise

00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.579
 isn't just one time

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.519
 when we believe in Jesus.

00:38:24.659 --> 00:38:25.519
 We all receive

00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:26.280
 the Holy Spirit.

00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:27.039
 We have that gift

00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:28.259
 when we believe in Christ.

00:38:28.860 --> 00:38:29.860
 But we're also commanded

00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:30.800
 in Ephesians 5

00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:32.420
 to be constantly

00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:33.559
 and continually

00:38:33.559 --> 00:38:34.960
 filled with the spirit.

00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:36.000
 In Galatians 5,

00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:37.179
 to walk by the spirit.

00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.800
 That's an ongoing thing,

00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.659
 to be filled

00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:40.279
 with the spirit

00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:41.099
 constantly.

00:38:41.800 --> 00:38:42.820
 And so we can pray

00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:44.219
 and ask for God

00:38:44.219 --> 00:38:45.579
 for the spirit

00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:46.279
 to fill us

00:38:46.279 --> 00:38:47.139
 and to lead us.

00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:48.599
 Pray.

00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:50.159
 And let's also listen.

00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:52.139
 If we want to be spirit-led,

00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:54.539
 are we tuning our ears

00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:55.639
 to listen

00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:57.199
 when he leads?

00:38:58.259 --> 00:38:59.219
 Romans 8,

00:38:59.279 --> 00:38:59.940
 verse 5 says,

00:39:00.379 --> 00:39:01.219
 those who live

00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:02.259
 according to the spirit

00:39:02.259 --> 00:39:03.500
 set their minds

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.379
 on the things

00:39:04.379 --> 00:39:04.899
 of the spirit.

00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:07.379
 They set their minds

00:39:07.379 --> 00:39:07.879
 on the things

00:39:07.879 --> 00:39:08.359
 of the spirit.

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.819
 One reason why

00:39:09.819 --> 00:39:10.500
 we might not hear

00:39:10.500 --> 00:39:11.279
 the voice of God

00:39:11.279 --> 00:39:12.759
 is that we're busy

00:39:12.759 --> 00:39:13.579
 setting our minds,

00:39:13.779 --> 00:39:14.619
 filling our minds

00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:15.739
 with other voices.

00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:17.759
 So recently

00:39:17.759 --> 00:39:18.839
 in my morning commute

00:39:18.839 --> 00:39:19.439
 on the MTR,

00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:21.239
 I was thinking,

00:39:21.359 --> 00:39:22.019
 do I really need

00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.859
 to scroll on my phone?

00:39:23.879 --> 00:39:24.719
 No, not really.

00:39:24.779 --> 00:39:25.419
 But do I do it?

00:39:25.479 --> 00:39:25.619
 Yeah.

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:27.579
 Jumping from real

00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:28.479
 to YouTube short,

00:39:29.339 --> 00:39:30.539
 that fills my mind.

00:39:30.579 --> 00:39:31.239
 It makes my mind

00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.939
 too full

00:39:31.939 --> 00:39:33.299
 to hear

00:39:33.299 --> 00:39:34.879
 with other voices.

00:39:35.659 --> 00:39:36.659
 There's no space

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:38.099
 to hear God speak.

00:39:39.179 --> 00:39:40.739
 So the past few weeks,

00:39:40.959 --> 00:39:41.679
 I've been trying

00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.539
 to just keep my phone

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.419
 in my pocket.

00:39:43.539 --> 00:39:44.059
 No music.

00:39:44.679 --> 00:39:45.239
 Make room.

00:39:45.739 --> 00:39:46.279
 To pray

00:39:46.279 --> 00:39:47.459
 and hear from God.

00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:47.959
 And sometimes

00:39:47.959 --> 00:39:48.839
 I still get that itch,

00:39:49.279 --> 00:39:50.439
 but I've been finding

00:39:50.439 --> 00:39:51.479
 that time fruitful.

00:39:52.919 --> 00:39:54.679
 So maybe give it a shot too.

00:39:55.539 --> 00:39:56.419
 I've also been trying

00:39:56.419 --> 00:39:57.359
 to block off time

00:39:57.359 --> 00:39:57.719
 in the day,

00:39:57.859 --> 00:39:58.579
 15 minutes,

00:39:59.000 --> 00:39:59.819
 10 minutes,

00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.419
 to sit still,

00:40:02.199 --> 00:40:02.619
 quiet,

00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.319
 pray,

00:40:03.839 --> 00:40:04.439
 and listen.

00:40:04.799 --> 00:40:05.279
 Ask God,

00:40:05.759 --> 00:40:06.539
 is there anywhere

00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:07.259
 you're leading me?

00:40:07.759 --> 00:40:08.779
 Are you speaking to me?

00:40:09.359 --> 00:40:10.299
 And we're in different

00:40:10.299 --> 00:40:11.059
 stages of life

00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:11.839
 with different schedules.

00:40:12.939 --> 00:40:13.619
 So what you,

00:40:13.839 --> 00:40:14.539
 what your practices

00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:15.259
 may look different,

00:40:15.260 --> 00:40:16.580
 but the question remains,

00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:18.220
 are we making room

00:40:18.220 --> 00:40:19.620
 to hear God speak?

00:40:19.720 --> 00:40:20.800
 If we want to be led

00:40:20.800 --> 00:40:21.420
 by the spirit,

00:40:21.780 --> 00:40:22.860
 are we listening

00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:23.940
 to him speak?

00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:25.700
 Let's listen

00:40:25.700 --> 00:40:26.920
 and let's also discern.

00:40:27.620 --> 00:40:28.580
 We need to discern

00:40:28.580 --> 00:40:29.680
 whether what we're hearing

00:40:29.680 --> 00:40:30.660
 is a spirit speaking

00:40:30.660 --> 00:40:31.540
 or some other voice.

00:40:32.680 --> 00:40:33.460
 1 John 4 says,

00:40:33.600 --> 00:40:34.680
 do not believe every spirit,

00:40:34.740 --> 00:40:35.720
 but test the spirits

00:40:35.720 --> 00:40:36.900
 to see whether

00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:37.940
 they are from God.

00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:39.539
 we read earlier.

00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:41.139
 Paul was the one

00:40:41.139 --> 00:40:42.239
 in verse 9

00:40:42.239 --> 00:40:43.279
 who saw the vision

00:40:43.279 --> 00:40:44.579
 of the Macedonian man.

00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:45.880
 He was the one

00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:46.639
 who saw that dream.

00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:47.860
 But in verse 10,

00:40:47.960 --> 00:40:48.320
 we read,

00:40:48.779 --> 00:40:49.559
 when Paul had seen

00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:49.980
 the vision,

00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:51.659
 immediately we

00:40:51.659 --> 00:40:52.980
 sought to go on

00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:53.840
 into Macedonia.

00:40:54.579 --> 00:40:55.659
 This was a group effort.

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:56.800
 They,

00:40:57.300 --> 00:40:57.800
 as a group,

00:40:57.960 --> 00:40:58.380
 concluded

00:40:58.380 --> 00:41:00.099
 that God had called us

00:41:00.099 --> 00:41:01.400
 to preach the gospel

00:41:01.400 --> 00:41:01.900
 to them.

00:41:02.739 --> 00:41:03.659
 Paul saw the vision,

00:41:03.739 --> 00:41:04.639
 but they all discerned

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:04.980
 together

00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:06.000
 in community

00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:07.039
 that this was,

00:41:07.219 --> 00:41:07.460
 in fact,

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.380
 God speaking to them.

00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.039
 That's where God

00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:09.679
 was leading them.

00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:11.199
 So,

00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:12.880
 you're not the only one

00:41:12.880 --> 00:41:13.539
 with the Holy Spirit.

00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.559
 We all share

00:41:14.559 --> 00:41:15.239
 the same spirit

00:41:15.239 --> 00:41:16.659
 so we can discern

00:41:16.659 --> 00:41:17.360
 in community.

00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:19.260
 We also discern

00:41:19.260 --> 00:41:19.679
 with scripture.

00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:21.980
 The spirit often speaks

00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:22.780
 to me through scripture.

00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:23.280
 For example,

00:41:23.360 --> 00:41:24.059
 I shared this week,

00:41:24.639 --> 00:41:25.260
 John 15,

00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.420
 apart from me,

00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:27.420
 you can do nothing.

00:41:28.380 --> 00:41:29.619
 The spirit guides us

00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:30.559
 in all the truth

00:41:30.559 --> 00:41:31.719
 as we read his word.

00:41:32.760 --> 00:41:33.400
 All scripture

00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:34.320
 is God breathed,

00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:35.619
 inspired by the Holy Spirit.

00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:36.699
 And God won't

00:41:36.699 --> 00:41:37.579
 contradict himself.

00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:38.719
 So,

00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:39.980
 we test what we hear

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:41.119
 against the scriptures.

00:41:42.139 --> 00:41:42.659
 And lastly,

00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:44.139
 the Bible says

00:41:44.139 --> 00:41:45.059
 that the Holy Spirit

00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:46.440
 points us to Jesus.

00:41:47.199 --> 00:41:48.099
 In every way

00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:48.860
 the spirit is leading,

00:41:49.599 --> 00:41:50.400
 it'll lead to greater

00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:51.179
 joy in Christ.

00:41:51.820 --> 00:41:52.340
 John 15,

00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:53.019
 27 says,

00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:53.920
 the spirit of truth

00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:54.780
 will bear witness

00:41:54.780 --> 00:41:55.579
 about Jesus.

00:41:56.179 --> 00:41:57.159
 The spirit always

00:41:57.159 --> 00:41:57.920
 leads us to him.

00:41:58.440 --> 00:41:59.059
 And as followers

00:41:59.059 --> 00:41:59.619
 of Christ,

00:41:59.980 --> 00:42:00.800
 do we want that?

00:42:01.420 --> 00:42:02.300
 Don't we want that?

00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:03.880
 To have more of Christ?

00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:05.059
 To know him

00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:05.920
 and enjoy him?

00:42:07.000 --> 00:42:07.440
 So,

00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.480
 let's be a spirit-led,

00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:10.079
 let's be a spirit-led people.

00:42:10.739 --> 00:42:11.679
 If you are

00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:12.840
 a follower of Christ,

00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:14.659
 you have the same

00:42:14.659 --> 00:42:15.199
 Holy Spirit

00:42:15.199 --> 00:42:15.800
 that Paul had.

00:42:16.139 --> 00:42:17.059
 All who are

00:42:17.059 --> 00:42:17.980
 led by the spirit

00:42:17.980 --> 00:42:18.820
 are sons of God.

00:42:19.539 --> 00:42:20.500
 The same spirit

00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.719
 who said no to Asia,

00:42:22.679 --> 00:42:24.019
 who gave Paul

00:42:24.019 --> 00:42:25.139
 a vision for Macedonia,

00:42:25.280 --> 00:42:26.599
 who opened Lydia's heart,

00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:27.860
 who allowed Paul

00:42:27.860 --> 00:42:28.440
 and Silas

00:42:28.440 --> 00:42:29.460
 to sing a song

00:42:29.460 --> 00:42:29.940
 in jail.

00:42:30.639 --> 00:42:31.699
 That same spirit

00:42:31.699 --> 00:42:32.539
 is leading us.

00:42:33.539 --> 00:42:34.380
 Will we follow?

00:42:34.380 --> 00:42:35.820
 Will we surrender

00:42:35.820 --> 00:42:36.400
 our plans

00:42:36.400 --> 00:42:37.420
 and trust him

00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:39.059
 when the doors

00:42:39.059 --> 00:42:39.880
 swing open

00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:40.320
 or closed?

00:42:41.840 --> 00:42:42.579
 Maybe for you,

00:42:42.640 --> 00:42:43.400
 for some of us here,

00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.059
 the first step

00:42:44.059 --> 00:42:44.440
 is admitting

00:42:44.440 --> 00:42:45.099
 that you're lost.

00:42:45.480 --> 00:42:46.400
 That like the jailer,

00:42:46.900 --> 00:42:48.240
 your first spirit-led step

00:42:48.240 --> 00:42:49.820
 is to fall on your knees

00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:50.260
 and ask,

00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:51.140
 what must I do

00:42:51.140 --> 00:42:51.720
 to be saved?

00:42:52.720 --> 00:42:53.500
 The same answer,

00:42:54.360 --> 00:42:55.340
 it's the same answer today

00:42:55.340 --> 00:42:56.019
 as it was then.

00:42:56.559 --> 00:42:57.460
 Believe in the Lord Jesus.

00:42:58.539 --> 00:42:59.760
 That's where the spirit's

00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:00.559
 lead always begins.

00:43:00.559 --> 00:43:02.279
 And for the rest of us,

00:43:02.400 --> 00:43:03.219
 let's go from here

00:43:03.219 --> 00:43:03.940
 looking to the one

00:43:03.940 --> 00:43:04.639
 who is our joy,

00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:05.679
 looking to Jesus.

00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:07.219
 Let's be a people

00:43:07.219 --> 00:43:08.219
 who want one thing

00:43:08.219 --> 00:43:09.299
 above all else,

00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:11.599
 to be led by the spirit

00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:12.659
 in pursuit of Christ.

00:43:14.059 --> 00:43:15.400
 Let's be a spirit-led people.

00:43:16.920 --> 00:43:17.599
 I'm going to invite

00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:18.920
 the worship team up

00:43:18.920 --> 00:43:21.579
 and we'll respond in song.

00:43:22.420 --> 00:43:23.079
 Before that,

00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:26.360
 I think it'd be nice,

00:43:26.900 --> 00:43:28.719
 as I'm talking about,

00:43:28.719 --> 00:43:29.619
 as we see,

00:43:30.179 --> 00:43:30.899
 making room

00:43:30.899 --> 00:43:32.239
 for the spirit to lead us,

00:43:32.319 --> 00:43:33.980
 to spend just a few minutes,

00:43:34.519 --> 00:43:35.679
 let's spend a few minutes

00:43:35.679 --> 00:43:36.739
 in quiet,

00:43:37.339 --> 00:43:37.919
 in prayer.

00:43:38.339 --> 00:43:39.779
 If you want the spirit to lead,

00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:41.159
 again,

00:43:41.259 --> 00:43:42.019
 we can ask him.

00:43:43.439 --> 00:43:44.259
 Spirit, fill me.

00:43:45.159 --> 00:43:45.500
 Speak.

00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:46.739
 I want to listen.

00:43:46.919 --> 00:43:47.599
 I want to hear you.

00:43:47.679 --> 00:43:48.579
 I want to be led by you.

00:43:48.659 --> 00:43:49.619
 I want to do nothing

00:43:49.619 --> 00:43:50.439
 apart from you

00:43:50.439 --> 00:43:51.959
 because I can.

00:43:54.199 --> 00:43:55.000
 Let's ask him

00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:56.299
 and listen.

00:43:57.439 --> 00:43:58.059
 Also reflect.

00:43:58.059 --> 00:43:58.779
 Is there any way

00:43:58.779 --> 00:43:59.559
 I need to surrender?

00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:02.340
 Is there any part of my life

00:44:02.340 --> 00:44:03.219
 I need to surrender

00:44:03.219 --> 00:44:04.500
 to the spirit's lead?

00:44:05.639 --> 00:44:06.940
 Let's spend a few minutes

00:44:06.940 --> 00:44:08.159
 in quiet reflection.

00:44:08.159 --> 00:44:35.440
 God, thank you that you go before us.

00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:38.599
 I've set my God

00:44:38.599 --> 00:44:39.559
 always before me

00:44:39.559 --> 00:44:40.920
 because he is my right hand.

00:44:41.000 --> 00:44:41.880
 I will not be shaken.

00:44:43.300 --> 00:44:43.960
 Thank you

00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:45.960
 that we have

00:44:45.960 --> 00:44:47.300
 your presence with us

00:44:47.300 --> 00:44:48.019
 through the spirit.

00:44:49.639 --> 00:44:50.960
 And we want more of you.

00:44:51.720 --> 00:44:52.840
 We want more of you.

00:44:53.720 --> 00:44:54.460
 So we ask you,

00:44:54.539 --> 00:44:55.179
 we seek you,

00:44:55.260 --> 00:44:56.920
 and we trust your promise

00:44:56.920 --> 00:44:58.740
 that we will find

00:44:58.740 --> 00:45:01.300
 that you give good gifts

00:45:01.300 --> 00:45:02.559
 to those who ask you.

00:45:02.559 --> 00:45:06.500
 that you,

00:45:06.840 --> 00:45:07.940
 when we come to you,

00:45:08.940 --> 00:45:09.679
 you'll fill us

00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:10.420
 our thirst

00:45:10.420 --> 00:45:11.340
 with living water.

00:45:11.880 --> 00:45:12.619
 You'll satisfy

00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:13.579
 our hunger

00:45:13.579 --> 00:45:14.619
 with the bread of life.

00:45:17.219 --> 00:45:18.279
 Spirit, lead us.

00:45:19.559 --> 00:45:20.460
 We want to be

00:45:20.460 --> 00:45:21.279
 bold people,

00:45:22.719 --> 00:45:23.599
 a people with

00:45:23.599 --> 00:45:25.559
 serious joy

00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:27.340
 in every circumstance.

00:45:27.340 --> 00:45:29.960
 in plenty and hunger,

00:45:30.120 --> 00:45:31.039
 abundance and need.

00:45:31.140 --> 00:45:32.400
 I can do all things

00:45:32.400 --> 00:45:33.280
 through him

00:45:33.280 --> 00:45:34.100
 who gives me strength.

00:45:34.260 --> 00:45:34.800
 We want to be

00:45:34.800 --> 00:45:35.760
 a people like that.

00:45:37.000 --> 00:45:37.740
 We want to be

00:45:37.740 --> 00:45:38.200
 a city

00:45:38.200 --> 00:45:39.579
 on a hill

00:45:39.579 --> 00:45:40.460
 shining bright.

00:45:41.740 --> 00:45:42.360
 So lead us,

00:45:42.620 --> 00:45:44.340
 lead our church

00:45:44.340 --> 00:45:45.579
 by your spirit.

00:45:47.539 --> 00:45:48.260
 Pray this

00:45:48.260 --> 00:45:49.120
 in Jesus' name.

00:45:49.780 --> 00:45:50.079
 Amen.

00:45:50.079 --> 00:45:50.180
 Amen.

00:45:50.180 --> 00:45:50.200
 Amen.

00:45:50.200 --> 00:45:50.220
 Amen.