WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:25.519 It's good to be with you this morning. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:30.519 I was a student at Princeton long ago. 00:00:31.339 --> 00:00:35.980 I had the privilege of studying God's work on the campus. 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:44.899 And I found out through some strange archival resources that there was a statue in Jadwin 00:00:44.899 --> 00:00:52.920 Gymnasium, which would be like the Payne Whitney of Yale, that was called the Princeton student, 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:56.660 but it had once been called the Christian student. 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:07.980 The statue was originally made to remember a graduate of the class of 1879, a man named 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:14.159 Earl Dodge, who had been the captain of the football team, the president of the Christian 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:20.359 Student Association at the time, and a prime mover in what became the worldwide student 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:26.120 movement called the Student Volunteers Movement that sent thousands of students to missions 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:27.799 around the world. 00:01:28.700 --> 00:01:36.120 The statue was of an athletic-looking man, half in football garb, half in academic gown, with 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:42.200 books tucked under his left hand and his eyes up in a visionary gaze. 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:49.960 On the pedestal it said, to mark the birthplace of the worldwide union of Christian students 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:51.200 in the work for Christ. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:57.460 And it was commented that the ideal set forth by this figure represented the heart and center 00:01:57.460 --> 00:02:01.140 of Princeton tradition and Princeton faith. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:16.080 Well, in 1929, on the night of graduation, a gathering of students with a bunch of ropes pulled down the statue. 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:18.680 Well, actually, the ropes weren't strong enough. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:19.800 They broke the ropes. 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:26.240 But an enterprising lad went out and grabbed a tow chain from a local towing company, came 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:31.340 back, and they pulled the statue down, and it sent shockwaves through the campus. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:41.659 The toppling signaled to others the end of a Christian era and marked a cynicism, if not irreligion, 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:50.439 among students, though some who were involved in it interpreted it more as a beer-fueled prank. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:58.859 Yet, probably as well, they recognized it was born of a resentment of the ideals that that statue held. 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:06.639 It was seen as an end of the age, and people wondered, will Christianity ever again rise at Princeton University? 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:12.539 Will there ever be an ongoing presence of the gospel at that school? 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:23.959 I don't know if you've thought that recently, whether it be the uproar about the Indiana Religious Freedom Act, 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:29.259 the challenging of the accreditation of Gordon College in Massachusetts, 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:37.979 or the recent Pew report that reported the decline of religious affiliation in America. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:43.519 It feels like there's a lot of bad news today about the state of the church, 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:47.280 about the health in America and its place in broader society. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:51.339 Maybe it's easy to feel like the sky is falling. 00:03:53.179 --> 00:03:58.139 Change of pace is rapid, out of control, and a little scary. 00:03:59.859 --> 00:04:03.479 Well, friends, we aren't the first ones who have faced things like this. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:06.339 Turn with me to Acts 19. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:11.060 We're going to be looking at a passage this morning, starting in verse 21. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:16.340 As you're turning there, let me remind you where we're at. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:19.800 Paul has been in Ephesus now for the whole chapter. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:28.220 He's encountered the disciples of John the Baptist and instructed them more fully about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:40.360 He's encountered the sons of Siva who came to try to usurp the name of Jesus for spiritual power and found themselves running naked away from the encounter. 00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:47.360 And we see the church refined and humbled by this encounter. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:51.720 And they come and they burn their magic books and their traditions. 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:57.800 And it leads us to our passage this morning. 00:04:58.760 --> 00:05:02.740 Acts chapter 19, verse 21. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:05.500 Let's read it and then we'll pray together. 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:12.519 Now, after these events, Paul resolved in the spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and to go to Jerusalem, saying, 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:15.439 After I've been there, I must also see Rome. 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:22.279 And having sent to Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:27.399 About that time, there arose no little disturbance concerning the way. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:36.079 For a man named Demetrius, the silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 00:05:36.919 --> 00:05:40.519 These he gathered together with the workmen in similar trades and said, 00:05:40.979 --> 00:05:44.979 Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 00:05:45.479 --> 00:05:51.199 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:59.740 this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:04.680 And there is a danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute, 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:09.480 but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:16.860 and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:20.599 And when they heard this, they were enraged. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:27.479 And were crying out, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:31.319 So the city was filled with the confusion. 00:06:32.219 --> 00:06:36.759 And they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:40.039 Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:44.019 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:47.099 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:50.599 sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:55.320 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion. 00:06:55.800 --> 00:07:00.500 Most of them did not know what they had come together, why they had come together. 00:07:01.520 --> 00:07:06.420 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. 00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:10.439 And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:17.060 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:19.579 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:24.279 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, 00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:32.859 Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of Ephesus is temple keeper of the great Artemis, 00:07:33.179 --> 00:07:39.219 and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky, seeing then that these things cannot be denied, 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:42.639 you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:49.359 For you have brought these men here, who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:54.879 If, therefore, Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:57.520 the courts are open, there are proconsuls. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.139 Let them bring charges against one another. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:05.360 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:10.080 For we are really in danger of being charged with rioting today, 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:15.040 since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:20.000 When he had said this, said these things, he dismissed the assembly. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:23.580 And after the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples. 00:08:24.260 --> 00:08:28.879 After encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 00:08:29.820 --> 00:08:30.580 Let's pray. 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.659 Lord, we thank you for this word. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:40.159 Thank you for the account of your church and the advance of the gospel. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:46.819 God, we pray you would open our hearts and our minds to understand and receive what you have to say to us today. 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:49.539 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:50.819 Amen. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:55.059 Well, it's an interesting story, isn't it? 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:59.579 And one of the most interesting things about it, if you look carefully, 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:02.379 we've been reading the book of Acts for a long time. 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:05.679 And who's been the major character since chapter 9? 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:06.559 Paul. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:06.919 Paul. 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:11.559 Paul's doing this, and Paul's doing that, and Paul's doing these things, and this is what we have. 00:09:11.719 --> 00:09:16.619 And suddenly, we have this account where Paul is almost completely sidelined. 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:20.979 Not only that, but the other person that we've seen over and over again, 00:09:21.099 --> 00:09:27.199 who is the major actor in the book of Acts as the church advances and as the gospel goes forward? 00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:30.179 It's God, and God by His Holy Spirit. 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:32.679 And did you notice? 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:34.819 Not one mention. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:39.319 Not one mention of the Lord or of His Spirit. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:41.919 So what are we to make of this account? 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.959 What are we supposed to say? 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:51.740 Well, I think that as we read this in its context and as we will explore it together, 00:09:51.740 --> 00:10:00.580 we will see that this passage for us is meant to encourage us to say that God will continue 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:09.840 to make His gospel advance, even in the face of the most excessive gospel-provoked opposition. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:12.240 Let's look at it together. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:14.240 The story unfolds really in two pieces. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:21.680 The first part is this gospel-provoked response, this overreaction as we'll look at it. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:28.600 And the second part in verses 35 through 39 is the intervention by which this provocation, 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:31.639 this riot that happens, is calmed down. 00:10:32.800 --> 00:10:36.620 So first, the confused and excessive response. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:38.200 Look with me in verse 23. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:46.600 Remember, as we begin this, the silversmith Demetrius gathers his tradesmen together and he says, 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.600 men, we are in trouble. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:50.700 Our trade is in trouble. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:58.100 Because this troublemaker, Paul, is preaching a gospel that says that the very things that we make 00:10:58.100 --> 00:11:00.160 do not have value. 00:11:00.800 --> 00:11:03.500 That handmade gods are no gods at all. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:07.259 Now, why would he do this? 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:09.759 Why would he bring this charge? 00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:17.000 Well, I think it's actually connected to what you saw at the very end of the last section that Nick preached on last week. 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:18.480 But I want you to look again with me. 00:11:18.800 --> 00:11:20.480 Verses 17 through 19. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:26.000 Fear fell upon the church in Ephesus and in the whole region. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:29.159 And many of those were now believers. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:32.980 And they confessed and divulged various practices of magic arts. 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:34.659 And they burned their books. 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:39.879 And the value of it was excessively high. 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:42.059 Do you remember Nick counted? 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:56.379 It was like more than a lifetime's worth of wages in one single event of people coming together to unload these things. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:59.939 They didn't even sell them to their neighbors who might have used them. 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.919 They destroyed them in the fire. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:09.240 The gospel had been sown deeply. 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:12.519 Paul had been there for two and a half years. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:13.680 Reasoning. 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:14.879 Teaching them. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.240 About Christ. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:23.259 And about this God who was a living God who did not live in temples made with human hands. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:29.620 Paul's preaching had changed their hearts. 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:32.799 And not only their hearts but their practices. 00:12:33.319 --> 00:12:39.519 It had gotten to the point where suddenly Demetrius and his cohorts were starting to feel the pinch. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:47.279 It reminds me of an account that I read of the Welsh revival in 1904. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.480 J. Wynor notes this. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:53.240 That after the revival drunkenness was immediately cut in half. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:55.679 And many taverns went bankrupt. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:13:01.100 Crime was so diminished that judges were presented with white gloves. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:07.240 Signifying there were no cases of murder, assault, rape or robbery or the like to consider. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:11.779 The police became unemployed in many districts. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:14.960 Stoppages occurred in the coal mines. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:17.879 Not due to unpleasantness between management or workers. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:22.460 But because so many foul-mouthed miners became converted. 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:24.620 And stopped using foul languages. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:30.040 That the horses that hauled the coal could no longer understand the workers. 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:36.819 Oh friends. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:43.659 Isn't it a sweet thing to hear of how the gospel can transform our hearts and our lives? 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.379 Isn't it encouraging? 00:13:45.719 --> 00:13:48.559 This is what God is up to in the world. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:55.539 That the gospel is meant to have this transforming power. 00:13:55.539 --> 00:14:03.679 That out of the overflow of an individual heart being transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his son. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:05.679 Lives are changed. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:06.139 Lives are changed. 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:19.819 And destructive practices and evils that are socially recognized dry up in the lives of those who have been taken hold of by Christ. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:25.860 Friend, this should be great encouragement that this is the gospel we have trusted in. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:29.100 That it will do these kinds of things. 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:31.980 But it is also a challenge for us. 00:14:32.260 --> 00:14:33.560 How deep is the gospel? 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:38.779 How deep is the gospel gone in our hearts? 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:45.859 How has it changed not just what we profess or where we go on Sunday mornings. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:50.199 But the things that we trust in when things get hard. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:55.339 How does it change how we spend the resources not just of our money. 00:14:55.719 --> 00:14:57.019 But of our time. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.619 And of our love. 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:02.419 How does it change how we date. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.580 How we pursue a career. 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:07.240 How we love our parents. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.560 The gospel. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:15.220 When it does its right work. 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.860 It provokes a response. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.980 And this is what Demetrius sees. 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:25.860 Demetrius sees that the gospel is making a huge inroad into his business. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.279 When it talks about business. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.800 He's talking about profits. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:33.200 He's saying we are losing money because these people are becoming Christians. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:36.080 And we need to do something about it. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.500 And the response. 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.940 Starting in verse 28. 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.399 Is huge. 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:49.940 It is in fact excessive. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:53.100 When you read this. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:57.960 It reminds you of mob psychology. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:00.380 If you've ever read about mob psychology. 00:16:00.520 --> 00:16:03.860 You've read descriptions of when mobs form. 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:06.300 They become completely irrational. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:09.000 Look at the description of what happens. 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.480 They become enraged. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.400 And they were crying out. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.860 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.120 Great. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.000 That makes sense. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:18.280 They're reaffirming their cultural and religious identity. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:21.919 We are built around the worship of Artemis. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.779 This rock fell from the sky. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:27.120 And that rock is now in our temple that we worship. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.740 This great goddess. 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:32.079 Who benefits us and brings us all these blessings. 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:35.319 We've built this huge temple. 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:38.259 Five times greater than the Parthenon. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:38.959 In Ephesus. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.860 To worship this goddess. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:45.819 And so they're reaffirming their cultural, social and religious identity. 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:51.220 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.100 But then they go out. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:54.020 The city was filled with confusion. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:56.760 They rush down what seemed to be the main street. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.420 Like rushing down Chapel Street. 00:16:58.800 --> 00:17:01.580 And crowds are pouring into the streets following them. 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:04.080 They get to the theater. 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:07.440 Which probably held 25 or 30,000 people. 00:17:09.080 --> 00:17:12.880 And look at verse 32. 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.940 It's so funny. 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:16.900 It's a just. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.280 Some said this. 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.300 Some said that. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.760 Lots of people didn't even know why they were there. 00:17:22.040 --> 00:17:23.240 But they were all crying. 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:26.300 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:32.600 The description is meant for us to see how excessive. 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:38.919 How irrational we get when our idols are threatened. 00:17:39.719 --> 00:17:45.119 When the depth of our identity seems to be at stake. 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:52.179 When who we are suddenly feels like we might lose it. 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:54.039 It's slipping out of our fingers. 00:17:54.039 --> 00:18:04.359 Friends, I wonder if you recognize that in yourself at all. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.399 I know I do. 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:13.500 I can think back to a pretty ugly scene in my own ministerial life. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:18.339 A while ago, I was a leader of a team on a campus. 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:24.500 We were having conflict among us about some of the direction we were meant to go. 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.980 And I opened. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:30.000 I actually opened to 1 Corinthians. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:34.500 Which we were just reading this morning in Sunday school class. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:39.720 And I was talking about what the nature of the true gospel ministry looks like. 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:42.119 And being cross-shaped. 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.859 And I started to teach. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:47.519 And one of my staff team members interrupted me. 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:50.019 And just said, well, I don't think that's right. 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:54.859 As a matter of fact, I think you're just using this to justify yourself. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:19:02.500 And regardless of the rightness or wrongness of her interruption. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:13.160 The idol of my authority, my identity as a pastor, as, well, as a campus worker at that point, 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.960 felt very threatened. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:19.940 And I responded in an extremely ugly manner. 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.579 I at first attacked. 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:26.039 And then I shut down. 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.779 And then I left. 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:31.200 It was not a pretty scene in my life. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:35.380 God has used it much to teach me and to humble me since then. 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:40.240 But when our idols are threatened. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:44.680 When the things that we think shape our identity. 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.600 Give us significance. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.900 Suddenly you're at risk. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:51.299 We respond excessively. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:57.400 And we see this in our culture too, don't we? 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.740 We see this. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.600 We see this in this scene. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:02.360 We see it throughout church history. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.360 We see it today. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:07.140 How perilous it can be to identify with the way of Jesus. 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:12.360 Because Jesus will always come and subvert the dominant paradigm. 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:16.759 Jesus will always come and overturn our cultural assumptions. 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:22.800 Jesus wants to go deep and take hold of the very core of who we are. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:26.440 And reshape it around Him. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:30.659 So that all these other things 00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:38.500 become at least secondary to a primary identity. 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:43.359 To a primary significance of knowing Christ and being found in Him. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:46.220 Not having a righteousness of my own. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.279 But having one that is received by faith. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:55.039 And maybe this is a time just to say, 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:56.279 if you're here this morning, 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:59.079 if you're exploring Christianity, 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:01.220 and your gut reaction is, 00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:03.599 it is completely illogical. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.259 It is, 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:08.759 I cannot believe that reasonable people would ever consider this. 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:12.980 Consider if that might not be an overreaction of your heart. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:21.339 Be careful if you find yourself with that kind of heart reaction to the gospel. 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:25.240 And I urge you to take time to be patient 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:29.240 in exploring what the true gospel really is. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:36.779 This crisis, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.180 this story, 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:44.839 tells us about how the gospel provokes this huge reaction in Ephesus. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:47.880 Such that it's this mob that's out of control. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.680 Paul wants to go in. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.420 The disciples say, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.420 no, you can't do it. 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.059 As in fact, 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.140 even the Asiarchs, 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:55.359 who are the civic leaders of the area, 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:55.660 say, 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:55.960 Paul, 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.400 you don't want to go in there. 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:59.480 It is out of control. 00:22:01.040 --> 00:22:01.600 Alexander, 00:22:01.800 --> 00:22:02.440 who is a Jew, 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.259 was put forward 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:05.759 probably trying to distinguish himself 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:08.500 from the way of Paul and the gospel 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:12.500 because even though the Jews were known to also be anti-idolatrous, 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:14.780 they would never attack the way it, 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:20.100 Paul has been accused of attacking or undermining the worship. 00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:20.519 And so, 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:22.259 he tries to stand up. 00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:23.120 And what does he get? 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.840 He's shouted down for two hours. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:27.579 Two hours of, 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:31.139 great is Artemis of Ephesus. 00:22:31.699 --> 00:22:34.619 Two hours of a mob simply yelling. 00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:38.159 And you think, 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:40.939 what a perilous place it must be. 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:45.019 If you've ever read stories of pioneer missionaries, 00:22:45.459 --> 00:22:46.579 I can think of one. 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:48.879 Hudson Taylor goes into a new city, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:53.179 begins to establish a place for ministry. 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:58.420 And the rumors in the city start to abound 00:22:58.420 --> 00:23:00.120 that they're kidnapping children 00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:03.120 and gouging their eyes out and eating their flesh. 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:05.460 Completely illogical, 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:07.759 completely irrational responses. 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:11.120 Mobs circle the compound. 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:13.380 They ended up burning the place down 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:16.620 only by God's miraculous intervention 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.759 were the missionaries saved. 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.900 And you know at times, 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.940 God doesn't always save those 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.200 in those circumstances. 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:24.859 Sometimes, 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:27.119 He doesn't even do that. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.220 And it brings us to the question, 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:35.299 what are we then to do 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:37.140 if following Jesus 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.759 is this perilous? 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:44.140 If we are going to walk this road 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.240 of provoking 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.799 these excessive responses 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:50.140 from our culture, 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.279 from our world, 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:53.079 what are we then to do? 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:54.279 How do we keep going? 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.980 Well, 00:23:57.519 --> 00:24:00.220 at the height of the crisis, 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.319 God intervenes. 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:04.960 And He intervenes 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.779 in a surprising way 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:08.579 for the continued advance 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.279 of the gospel. 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:10.899 Because suddenly, 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:12.899 this fever pitch is gone. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.759 The town clerk shows up 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:16.200 and He quiets them. 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.460 And He works through 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.720 this very savvy, 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.619 very political speech. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.460 Men of Ephesus, 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.819 how can you think 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.939 that our greatness 00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:28.259 could ever be threatened 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:30.240 by this puny preacher 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:32.179 and his little band of followers? 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:35.839 We have a rock from heaven 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.659 that we worship. 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:43.419 We will never lose our glory. 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.799 And these men, 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.240 these men are not 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.720 burning down our temples. 00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:52.619 They're not publicly going around 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:54.720 decrying Artemis. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.619 Which is a side note, 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.700 is an interesting note. 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:01.639 It's probable that Paul 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.660 would preach in Ephesus 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:04.580 as he did in Athens. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:07.759 Not decrying those other gods, 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.860 but simply saying, 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:09.780 no, 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.740 there is a true 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.660 and a living God 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.540 who does not live 00:25:12.540 --> 00:25:13.540 in a temple 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:16.280 made by human hands. 00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:21.240 And then he goes on 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.840 and he says, 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.920 and look, 00:25:23.280 --> 00:25:25.320 if you have a problem, 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.800 the courts are open. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.639 We have civilized ways 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:30.139 of dealing with these things. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.039 And the danger 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:35.139 which Demetrius 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:36.579 started out with saying, 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.539 the danger is 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:39.579 this way 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.799 which is undermining 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:43.180 our societal well-being. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.519 The clerk says, 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.619 no, no, no, friends. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.980 The danger is Rome. 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:50.619 Because if Rome comes in 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.319 and finds that 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.460 we are out of control, 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:54.799 then we will be 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.600 under their thumb. 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.759 It's not even 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.779 a very good argument 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.559 sometimes. 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.819 Right? 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:07.160 And yet it's persuasive. 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:10.880 And as you read it 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.680 in the context 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.980 of the whole book of Acts, 00:26:13.040 --> 00:26:13.840 we must see 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:15.940 this is the hand of God 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.440 working 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.340 through 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:21.259 unexpected means 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:24.200 in a surprising way. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.120 God 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:30.759 will continue 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:32.460 the advance of the gospel. 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.660 The gates of hell 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:35.540 will not prevail against it. 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:37.359 You might ask, 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.700 why do you say that? 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:39.899 Well, 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.539 if you've been 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.799 paying attention carefully, 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.500 you've noticed 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.559 that I've left out 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.940 the first two verses 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:46.299 and the last verse 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.059 that we read 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.720 when we read this passage. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:49.720 Look with me 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:51.779 back at verses 21 and 22. 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:57.960 Luke, 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.359 as he's telling this story, 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.599 begins by saying, 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.519 now after these things, 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.379 Paul resolved 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.980 in his spirit 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.680 to continue 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.279 the advance 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.960 of the gospel. 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.379 That's my summary of it. 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.000 He said, 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.819 I'm going to go back 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.779 through Macedonia 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.319 and Achaia. 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:10.859 I'm going to do 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.559 a collection 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.920 that I'm collecting 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.940 for the church 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.500 in Jerusalem 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.299 which is suffering. 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.000 Then I'm going to go 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.579 to Jerusalem 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.599 and then I'm going 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.319 to go to Rome 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.920 and Rome, 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.119 as we understand 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.759 more broadly, 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.240 is Paul's launching place 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.139 to go to Spain. 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.379 Paul's thinking 00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:25.539 the gospel advance 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.639 is going to go forward. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:31.879 And I can't quite leave yet, 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.420 so I'm sending 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.559 my brothers ahead of me 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.500 to do the collection 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:36.480 and I'm going to stay 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.059 in Asia. 00:27:37.179 --> 00:27:38.240 And then Luke launches 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.659 into this whole thing. 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:43.460 And at the very end, 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:45.139 with an unfortunate 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.339 section break 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.179 in the ESV, 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:50.339 when the uproar ceased, 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.500 Paul sent for the disciples. 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.419 He encouraged them. 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:54.539 He said farewell 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.220 and departed. 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.179 With all this riot, 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.539 with all this uproar, 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.839 people might be thinking, 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.460 oh no, 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.379 what's going to happen? 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.860 Are people going to stop going? 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:04.040 Is the gospel advance 00:28:04.040 --> 00:28:05.180 going to be set back? 00:28:05.520 --> 00:28:06.640 Is suddenly this going to 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.900 make people afraid? 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:10.780 Is it going to squelch 00:28:10.780 --> 00:28:11.560 the fervor 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:13.020 and the ongoing progress? 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.860 And Luke just says, 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.220 no. 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:16.640 No. 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:18.240 God intervened. 00:28:19.800 --> 00:28:21.060 God intervened 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:22.440 and the gospel advanced. 00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:28.480 So two applications for us. 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:31.360 Firstly, 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.279 friends, 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.120 I want you to see 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.460 that the nature of the gospel, 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:36.259 the nature of the gospel 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.099 is a gospel 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:39.200 that is inherently subversive 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:41.860 to every thought process 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.940 of this world. 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:45.779 Every identity we build 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.240 that is outside of God. 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.740 Every significance 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.960 that we find 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:51.880 that is apart from God. 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.140 Every meaning 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.640 that we find in life 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:56.599 that excludes God from it. 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:58.439 God is going to invade 00:28:58.439 --> 00:28:59.599 that with the gospel. 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.179 And He's going to 00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:02.639 pierce and penetrate 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:04.419 to the very core 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:05.579 of our being. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:08.480 He's going to say, 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:11.319 don't take a little 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:13.779 metal shrine home 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.500 to make you feel 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.619 like you can connect 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.459 with God. 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:20.959 Don't take that little thing 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:22.179 to build your civic 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:23.419 and social identity. 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:27.039 because the God 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.440 of this world 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.200 has come 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.660 to you. 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:32.480 And He has taken hold 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.279 of your hearts. 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.779 And you don't worship 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.340 a God 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:36.580 who lives in 00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:38.960 a temple made with hands, 00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:40.420 but you worship a God 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:42.080 who has made your heart 00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:43.120 His temple. 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.360 And He has come 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.840 to live in you. 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.580 And He's come 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:49.759 to make you His. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:52.640 And He loves you. 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:55.460 And He delights in you. 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.819 And in that, 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:04.940 in that gospel then, 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.839 we find our truest identity, 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.379 our real meaning 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.240 and significance. 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:11.160 We find the depth 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:13.259 of what we were made to be. 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:16.200 And so the gospel 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.819 is always subversive 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:21.339 and will provoke responses. 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.980 But the second thing, 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.240 the second thing 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.059 about the gospel 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:27.319 is that we have a God 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:29.299 who intervenes for us 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.619 in surprising ways. 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.559 We're about to go 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.200 to the table, 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.839 celebrate communion, 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.839 Lord's Supper. 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:40.959 friends, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.859 is there any 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:43.659 other way 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.959 that we could remember 00:30:44.959 --> 00:30:45.980 more clearly 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:49.179 that this is the very nature 00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:49.799 of the God 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.459 that we know? 00:30:51.179 --> 00:30:52.359 A God who comes 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.220 to intervene 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.339 in our most 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.779 dire circumstances 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:57.259 when the riot 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:58.419 of sin 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.699 and the fallenness 00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.480 of the world 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.959 seemed to be 00:31:01.959 --> 00:31:03.459 at complete mastery. 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.859 God 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.740 Himself 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.720 took on 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.759 human flesh 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:09.319 and stepped 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.660 into this world 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:13.000 and He walked 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.779 this world 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:15.240 to show us 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.680 His kingdom 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:18.440 and His righteousness 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:20.420 and then He stepped 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.779 to the cross 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:23.140 and identifying 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.359 with us, 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:26.279 He intervened. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.299 He said, 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.400 I will die 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.619 the death 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.379 they deserve. 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:32.400 I will quell 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:34.779 the rage 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.440 of judgment 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.720 against sin. 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.400 I will quell 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.200 the riot 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.799 of this broken world 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:44.680 with my broken body. 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.920 This is the God 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:48.000 who intervenes 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.160 for us 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:52.120 and this is the God 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.000 that we worship. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:57.059 So, friends, 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.240 if the cultural winds 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.820 are blowing, 00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:01.600 if our parking lot 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:02.500 ends up 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:05.140 condos 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.480 or who knows 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.059 what, 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:11.519 whatever our 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:13.779 particular fears 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.519 are today, 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.819 we can trust 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.619 in this God 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:19.640 and we can 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:20.299 dig deep 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.279 into this gospel. 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.779 Let's pray. 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:23.839 Amen. 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:23.900 Amen. 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:23.920 Amen. 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:23.940 Amen. 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:23.960 Amen. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:23.980 Amen. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.000 Amen. 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.039 Amen. 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.960 Amen. 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.900 Amen. 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:27.960 Amen. 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.000 Amen. 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:38.980 God, 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.940 we do confess 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.420 that, Lord, 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.079 there are times 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.859 when we do 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.099 fear. 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.440 We fear 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.079 that we have 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.140 come to the end 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:48.940 and we will be 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.579 overwhelmed 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:51.059 that the responses 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.059 of the culture 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:54.059 to our Christian 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.980 faith will 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:56.440 defeat us 00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.180 and overcome 00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.019 us. 00:32:58.859 --> 00:32:59.539 Lord, 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.279 we fear 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.339 that our own 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:03.579 weaknesses 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:05.139 will be 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:06.179 our undoing. 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.379 Lord, 00:33:07.439 --> 00:33:08.240 we fear 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.699 that the gospel 00:33:09.699 --> 00:33:11.159 will not advance 00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:11.959 but in fact 00:33:11.959 --> 00:33:13.779 is encountering 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:15.019 defeat after defeat. 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:17.879 Lord, 00:33:17.959 --> 00:33:18.399 in the midst 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:18.879 of that, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.439 you come 00:33:19.439 --> 00:33:20.000 and speak 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.379 words of hope 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.099 and encouragement. 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.359 Lord, 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.099 that you will 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.879 see your gospel 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.379 advance. 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.139 You will build 00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:27.619 your kingdom 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.919 and that we 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:30.799 can be of 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.419 good cheer 00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:32.440 and have 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:32.960 courage. 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:34.639 Lord, 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:34.960 we pray 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.399 for that 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:36.039 this morning. 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.240 And Lord, 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.680 as we go 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.299 to the table, 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:38.659 Lord, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.559 will you remind 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.980 us that this 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.579 is the place 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.460 where we stand 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.019 at the foot 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.700 of the cross. 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:45.879 Lord, 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.639 for here 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:47.200 we have 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.899 our surety. 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.039 Here we have 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.579 our greatest 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.180 confidence. 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.940 Here we know 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:52.960 that you are 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.259 a God 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:53.919 who will not 00:33:53.919 --> 00:33:54.720 abandon us, 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.759 who will not 00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.319 leave us, 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:57.039 but a God 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.859 who will intervene 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.639 for us 00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:00.240 to save us 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.800 and to make 00:34:00.800 --> 00:34:01.320 us yours. 00:34:02.300 --> 00:34:02.920 We pray 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.500 these things 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:03.920 in Jesus' 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:04.320 name. 00:34:05.280 --> 00:34:05.500 Amen. 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.940 Let me invite 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.380 those who are 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:17.920 going to serve 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.840 to come up. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:18.900 Amen. 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.200 Amen. 00:34:19.200 --> 00:34:19.300 Amen. 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:19.400 Amen. 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:19.700 Amen. 00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:19.760 Amen. 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:19.860 Amen. 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:19.900 Amen. 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.860 Amen. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:20.900 Amen. 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.360 Amen. 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.519 Amen. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:21.860 Amen. 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:21.900 Amen. 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:21.940 Amen. 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:21.960 Amen. 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.860 Amen.