WEBVTT

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 So, we're reading from Acts chapter 6, and we're just reading the first seven verses.

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 Now, in these days, when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists

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 arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

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 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said,

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 It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

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 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom,

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 whom we will appoint this duty.

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 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

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 And what they said pleased the whole gathering.

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 And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,

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 and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch.

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 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

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 And the word of God continued to increase,

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 and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,

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 and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 Will you pray with me as we come to God's word?

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 Father, we use the word church family a lot in this church,

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 and I pray that through your living word this morning,

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 that you would send your spirit to move

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 so that you might create us more and more into the likeness of the family that we are,

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 because of Jesus.

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 So please speak to us through your word.

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 Humble us.

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 Give us listening ears.

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 And I pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, we're getting into the book of Acts, obviously, from the Bible reading,

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 but we haven't been in Acts for three years,

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 so I had to go back and look that up,

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 so I can't remember, although I can't remember a lot of things,

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 but I'm guessing you can't remember where we're up to.

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 Now, as we come to the book of Acts, we may not realise it,

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 but we Christians often read the stories in Acts very differently

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 from how we read the stories in the rest of the Bible.

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 Like, we're starting our church lunches again next Sunday after the Lord's Supper,

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 and I'm not expecting anyone to bring on this beautiful platter

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 some locusts and wild honey beautifully presented

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 while they're wearing camel skin clothing,

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 because they just think, John the Baptist, I need to follow his example.

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 No one's expecting that.

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 And yet, we read the book of Acts,

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 and many Christians just assume and use it as a point of debate.

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 It's obvious we should do this.

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 We read it very, very differently.

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 I think it can cause us to...

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 You get a sentiment sometimes,

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 and I've fallen into this myself,

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 where you think,

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 the church, if only we went back to what it was like in the early days.

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 We need to go back there.

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 But we don't realise that we're romanticising what Luke didn't paint a rosy picture.

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 They had problems.

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 If we romanticise the book of Acts in the early church,

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 it can actually lead to too much disillusionment in the church today.

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 It's in a very unhealthy way.

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 So, that's all to say.

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 We need to, as we're coming into the book of Acts,

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 we need to get our bearings.

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 What is it about?

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 How do we read it?

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 What is the book of Acts about?

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 So, if you've got your Bibles,

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 if you don't, just listen along.

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 Acts chapter 1, verse 1.

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 Let's go to the first verse.

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 So, Luke is the author,

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 and he says,

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 So, this is following Luke's gospel,

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 and that word began.

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 The focus here, from the word go,

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 isn't on the apostles.

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 It's on the Lord.

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 What Jesus began in his earthly ministry,

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 he is continuing in his heavenly ministry

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 by sending his spirit through his apostles,

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 through his church.

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 Jesus is the hero, in other words.

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 The apostles are not the heroes.

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 Jesus is.

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 Jesus is.

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 Empowering his apostles.

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 Luke pauses throughout Acts

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 to give this narrative summary statement

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 so many times,

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 and in effect, they all say,

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 And the word of God increased.

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 The word of God spread.

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 The word of God multiplied.

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 All throughout, you'll find it.

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 The focus is on Jesus and his word.

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 He's gathering in his church.

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 The other key to helping us get our bearings for Acts

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 is, I should have stayed in chapter one,

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 stay in chapter one and look at verse eight.

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 Verse eight.

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 You will receive power.

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 Jesus talking to his apostles.

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 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,

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 and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem

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 and in all Judea and Samaria

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 and to the end of the earth.

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 And then the book finishes with Paul in Rome,

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 the center of the Gentile world,

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 and he's still nothing stopping him from teaching God's word.

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 So the emphasis that Luke wants to paint,

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 he doesn't actually trace all the stories of the apostles.

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 He's not telling us a history of this apostle did this

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 and this apostle did that.

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 No, it's tracing where the word is going.

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 And he's not even tracing everywhere that the word went.

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 He's picking these stories in particular

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 to show us the word going from Jerusalem to Samaria

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 and out even to the Gentiles,

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 and we finish up in Rome.

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 So the emphasis is on Jesus gathering in his church

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 and he's making his church witnesses,

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 witnesses to the gospel,

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 to the truth of the goodness of belonging to Jesus.

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 And he's empowering his church through the Spirit to do this.

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 So the focus is on Jesus.

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 The theme is about being witnesses.

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 Jesus is gathering in his people

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 through the proclamation of the word

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 and through just the winsomeness of the church.

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 If you remember the story,

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 the first church after the first sermon,

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 it's this beautiful picture

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 of they're sharing all their goods in common,

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 they're having fellowship.

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 Anyway, I'll let you go back and read it.

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 So it's a witness.

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 Witness is bigger than just telling someone about Jesus.

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 It's bigger than that.

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 It's the witness of the character of the church.

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 It's how we go about things.

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 It's got to be word central,

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 but witness is a bigger term than evangelism.

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 So the focus is on Jesus.

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 Witness and the spread of the word is Luke's focus.

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 The third theme that we see through Acts

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 is that this happens despite serious threats.

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 And some of those threats are outside the church,

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 external pressure, persecution.

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 And some of the threats are inside the church.

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 But Jesus is unstoppable.

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 His word keeps spreading.

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 But don't expect the unstoppable Jesus.

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 It's not going to be smooth and easy.

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 So the external threats,

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 I don't think I need to go into this too much.

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 They're pretty obvious, aren't they?

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 Like the apostles are warned

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 and then beaten

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 and then imprisoned.

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 And we're about to come next week

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 to the first martyr.

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 The external threats are obvious

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 when you read the book of Acts.

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 I think we can skim over

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 and lose sight of the fact

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 that the internal threats

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 could have destroyed

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 the witness of Jesus

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 and the church being gathered.

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 So for instance,

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 it's doctrinally impure

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 and it's morally mixed.

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 So for instance,

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 chapter 5,

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 Ananias and Sapphira,

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 out of love of money,

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 they lie to God

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 and they lie to one another.

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 If that had spread,

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 it would have just been toxic

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 for the church.

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 You've got the power-hungry Simon

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 in chapter 8.

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 You've got the fearful

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 and retreating John Mark

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 on the missionary journey

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 he pulls out.

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 You've got the bitter dispute

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 between Paul and Barnabas.

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 You've got Apollos,

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 who doesn't,

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 his doctrine isn't quite complete.

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 He's a bit doctrinally confused.

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 You've got professing Christians

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 in Ephesus

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 who for a long time it seems

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 were hiding the fact

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 that in private

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 they were still practicing black magic.

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 All these internal problems,

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 and I think there's more,

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 but the risen Lord

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 is unstoppable.

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 He can use our sin and weakness

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 and he keeps going,

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 not to excuse that,

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 but he can also transform his people

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 from the inside out.

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 Now that's a long intro,

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 but I think it's important

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 as we come into chapter 6.

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 The focus is on Jesus.

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 It's about witness,

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 and there's external and internal threats

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 to Jesus gathering and building his church,

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 and here in chapter 6

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 I think we see another occasion

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 of internal threat.

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 And we've got two.

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 There's two dimensions to it.

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 So have chapter 6 open in front of you

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 if you've got your Bibles open.

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 The first one,

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 verse 1,

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 that kind of rhymes,

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 disunity.

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 Now in those days

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 when the disciples

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 were increasing in number,

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 a complaint by the Hellenists

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 arose against the Hebrews

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 because their widows

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 were being neglected

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 in the daily distribution.

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 Now I don't want to look over

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 the amazing fact

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 that early on

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 this very early church

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 had set up a system

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 for caring for the widows

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 in the church.

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 Already,

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 they're caring for the most vulnerable

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 in the church.

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 Their identity in Jesus

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 is controlling their wallets.

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 Like we read

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 that the rich

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 were selling their property

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 and laying it

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 at the apostles' feet

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 and they were distributing it

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 as anyone had need.

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 No one had any need

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 because

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 the transforming power

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 of belonging to Jesus' people.

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 It's a beautiful picture.

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 It's fulfilling

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 what God had commanded

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 in the Old Testament.

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 So Deuteronomy 24,

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 you may want to look it up

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 or just listen as I read it.

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 21,

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 when you gather the grapes

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 of your vineyard,

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 so you're a farmer,

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 you're gathering in the grapes,

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 you shall not strip it afterwards.

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 So once you go through it,

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 there's bits left over,

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 leave them there.

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 Why?

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 It's for the sojourner,

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 the visitor,

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 the fatherless,

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 and the widow.

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 Go.

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 You shall remember

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 that you are a slave

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 in the land of Egypt.

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 Therefore,

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 I command you to do this.

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 Throughout Scripture,

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 God has a heart

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 for the vulnerable.

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 James chapter 1,

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 James is probably here this day.

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 He's saying,

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 if you say,

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 go,

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 be warm and well fed

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 and do nothing to help,

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 if you've got the ability

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 to help,

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 that is,

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 and do nothing to help,

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 that faith,

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 it's worthless.

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 Why?

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 Because your love of money

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 is greater than your love of God

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 and love of people.

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 God is a heart

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 for the widows.

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 We see in James,

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 we see in Deuteronomy.

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 And there's signs

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 that what God commanded

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 through Moses

00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:44.460
 wasn't happening

00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:46.519
 in the Jewish society

00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.019
 of the day.

00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:47.759
 So,

00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:50.259
 I thought of Mark chapter 7

00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:52.039
 where Jesus,

00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:53.659
 he condemns the Pharisees.

00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.299
 He says,

00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:56.679
 you set up your own laws

00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:58.740
 above what God commands.

00:13:59.319 --> 00:13:59.779
 You say,

00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.259
 in effect,

00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:02.039
 I don't need to look after you,

00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:02.639
 mum and dad

00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.579
 in your old age,

00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.519
 as long as you give that money

00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.159
 to the temple.

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:07.939
 And Jesus is like,

00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.719
 you're setting aside

00:14:09.719 --> 00:14:11.459
 God's word.

00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:12.980
 You should be caring

00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.980
 for your mum and dad.

00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.079
 And,

00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:18.980
 so they were teaching this.

00:14:20.099 --> 00:14:21.179
 And Jesus condemns

00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:22.699
 the Pharisees for it.

00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.079
 Another thing we see

00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:28.419
 in the Jewish society

00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:28.939
 in Jerusalem

00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:30.279
 was there was division

00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.219
 in the synagogues.

00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:34.019
 there were some synagogues

00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.940
 that were Hebrew speaking

00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.180
 and there were some synagogues

00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:39.360
 that were Greek speaking.

00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.279
 And we see that

00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.220
 in the next paragraph.

00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.060
 The synagogue

00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:45.660
 of the freedmen's

00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:46.139
 and they're from

00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.899
 different countries.

00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.080
 Because,

00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:49.960
 even though they're all Jews,

00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.220
 some Jews

00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.139
 had been dispersed

00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.980
 among the nations

00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.379
 and they only spoke Greek.

00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:56.759
 So you can imagine

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:59.080
 that this language difference

00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.659
 created cultural difference

00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.480
 and you could imagine

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.100
 that the Hebrew speaking

00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.799
 are more pure.

00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.960
 They haven't been mixed

00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.899
 with the other nations.

00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.000
 You could imagine

00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.659
 that prejudice.

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.679
 It's a problem

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:14.779
 that the synagogues

00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.200
 couldn't,

00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.779
 they didn't solve.

00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:20.600
 But here we see

00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.500
 that this division

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.419
 has come into the church.

00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:26.079
 This prejudice

00:15:26.079 --> 00:15:28.279
 has come into the church.

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:31.360
 It's a real problem.

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:36.560
 If this was left unaddressed,

00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:37.980
 if the Greek,

00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:40.100
 Jewish,

00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.159
 converted to Christianity

00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:42.680
 women

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:44.639
 weren't looked after,

00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:45.759
 it would basically say,

00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.180
 well,

00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:50.019
 you're not quite family enough

00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:53.120
 to be cared for.

00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:56.460
 It would totally undermine

00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:58.779
 what the gospel says.

00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:02.600
 The gospel says

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.419
 who are God's people?

00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.980
 All who come to Jesus

00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.980
 as Saviour and Lord.

00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.759
 There's no distinctions.

00:16:09.459 --> 00:16:10.019
 It would undermine

00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.360
 what the church is,

00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:13.600
 the household of God,

00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.279
 if we didn't care for,

00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.279
 if they didn't care

00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:18.559
 for all their widows.

00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:23.319
 It would undermine

00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.039
 the witness

00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.279
 that Jesus' word

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:25.819
 and spirit

00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:27.000
 can actually create

00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.759
 our hearts

00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.879
 after the heart of God

00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.720
 who does care

00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.340
 for the widows.

00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:34.019
 If this wasn't addressed,

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:38.240
 it's the age-old problem.

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.039
 We wouldn't be

00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.120
 practicing what we preach.

00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:42.580
 It would undermine

00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.319
 the testimony.

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.519
 Here in our church,

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.679
 why would we expect

00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:54.019
 friends and visitors

00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:56.279
 to want to come in

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.519
 to this family of faith

00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:00.360
 if our family is marked

00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:02.340
 by the sorts of things

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.679
 that you can find out

00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.200
 in the world?

00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.339
 Why would they want

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.660
 to come in?

00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.700
 But how compelling

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.420
 would it be

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:13.819
 if our practical love

00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.559
 for one another

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:17.500
 demonstrated who we are

00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.139
 as family

00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:19.020
 so much

00:17:19.020 --> 00:17:19.040
 so much

00:17:19.040 --> 00:17:19.320
 that

00:17:19.320 --> 00:17:22.080
 we even

00:17:22.080 --> 00:17:24.000
 surpassed

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.280
 what

00:17:24.280 --> 00:17:26.880
 biological families do?

00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:29.140
 What a witness

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.800
 that would be.

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.259
 What a witness

00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:31.580
 if

00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:34.160
 any difference

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.280
 that you find awkward

00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:36.320
 in this church,

00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.259
 someone that you're like,

00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:38.200
 I'm not sure

00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.920
 I can talk to them,

00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.700
 for whatever reason,

00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.280
 whether that's

00:17:40.280 --> 00:17:41.160
 a language thing,

00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.820
 cultural thing,

00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.360
 or whether it's

00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:43.140
 a dispute thing,

00:17:43.780 --> 00:17:45.020
 that's an opportunity.

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.619
 Disunity

00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:47.139
 is not just a threat,

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.980
 it's an opportunity

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.879
 to demonstrate

00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:51.960
 who we are

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.480
 in Jesus.

00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:57.099
 So this is a real threat

00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:59.379
 to the church

00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.839
 going forward,

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.980
 but it raises

00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.680
 a second threat

00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.660
 if it's dealt with wrong,

00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.639
 in a wrong way.

00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.900
 Now I'm guessing

00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.599
 the first threat

00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.180
 of disunity

00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.819
 we kind of all agree with.

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.039
 I'm guessing

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:13.180
 it's not controversial

00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.660
 at all,

00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.340
 but the apostles

00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:17.120
 are wise

00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.300
 to see another

00:18:18.300 --> 00:18:19.620
 just a serious threat

00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:20.680
 and that's being distracted.

00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.360
 Being distracted

00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.700
 from word and prayer.

00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:25.800
 It's not right,

00:18:26.820 --> 00:18:27.200
 verse 2,

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.960
 it is not right

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.840
 that we should give up

00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.880
 preaching the word of God

00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:31.040
 to serve tables.

00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:34.019
 Now,

00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:35.320
 Jesus washed

00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:36.259
 his disciples' feet.

00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:39.300
 Is serving tables

00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.360
 beneath them somehow?

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.040
 I don't think

00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:43.600
 that's the point.

00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.579
 It's not a matter

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.259
 of they've got

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.980
 a higher status.

00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:47.339
 It's not about that.

00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.119
 It's that

00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:51.219
 they've been set apart

00:18:51.219 --> 00:18:52.819
 for a specific task

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:55.079
 to teach,

00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.740
 to proclaim.

00:18:55.740 --> 00:19:02.140
 you could imagine

00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.859
 to deal with this problem,

00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.779
 the emotional

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.400
 and mental

00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.180
 and time

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.839
 resources

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.759
 required

00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.839
 to navigate

00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.779
 the relationships

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.700
 and to practically

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.440
 address this

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:13.920
 would have

00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.480
 eaten into

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.240
 their prayer

00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.400
 and their preparation

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.660
 and their proclamation.

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:22.460
 they would have

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.100
 been distracted

00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:24.160
 from the word of God.

00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:25.040
 So a very,

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.940
 there's a need here

00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:28.200
 that needs to be addressed

00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:31.100
 but if they dealt

00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:31.920
 with it themselves

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:34.100
 they would have

00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.800
 stripped the church

00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:35.640
 of the lifeblood

00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:36.519
 of the word of God

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.420
 and prayer.

00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:44.860
 apparently Charles Spurgeon

00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:46.080
 who

00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:48.080
 if you're in

00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:49.460
 church land

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.560
 you'll know his name

00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:52.740
 he's got the title

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:54.480
 Prince of Preachers

00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:54.940
 because

00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.320
 God used him

00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:57.220
 powerfully

00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.660
 to save many people.

00:19:59.300 --> 00:20:00.220
 His preaching was

00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.279
 that,

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.460
 it was very powerful

00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.380
 and apparently

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.740
 anyone

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.920
 any kind of

00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.799
 anyone visiting

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.519
 his church

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:09.640
 he would take them

00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.180
 downstairs

00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.680
 into this

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.259
 very empty room

00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.000
 which apparently

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.140
 he called the boiler room

00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.460
 and it's just

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.480
 these bunch of chairs

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.180
 spread around

00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.799
 and while he was

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.180
 preaching

00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.100
 there was just

00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:22.380
 dozens of people

00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.880
 praying

00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.740
 and he was

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.539
 in effect saying

00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.720
 I give all the glory

00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.079
 to God

00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.940
 it's

00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.900
 he's

00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.600
 he's

00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.299
 he's praying

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:34.879
 I wonder if we have

00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.379
 that view

00:20:35.379 --> 00:20:35.859
 of

00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.899
 the centrality

00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:37.740
 of the word of God

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.220
 and prayer

00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:41.000
 it's

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.759
 that the word

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.159
 it's what creates us

00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:44.680
 it's what sustains us

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:46.759
 it's what transforms us

00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:49.759
 it's our lifeblood

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:54.720
 I think if Satan

00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:56.019
 can't get this church

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.940
 to be quiet

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.099
 from external

00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.899
 social pressure

00:20:58.899 --> 00:20:59.559
 to compromise

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.720
 he'll try and undermine

00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.460
 our witness

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.860
 through scandal

00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:05.559
 and disunity

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.720
 oh they call themselves

00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.440
 family but

00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:11.220
 look at how they treat

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.620
 each other

00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.880
 if he can't do it that way

00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.759
 he'll just

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.420
 get us

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.180
 being busy

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.559
 with everything good

00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:19.339
 except talking

00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:19.920
 about Jesus

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.400
 and

00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:22.160
 learning from

00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:22.680
 his word

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.600
 his schemes

00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:25.220
 are not new

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.740
 they're not new

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.980
 they're right there

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.779
 in the early church

00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:34.079
 but the risen

00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.519
 Lord

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.639
 through his

00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.099
 apostles

00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.359
 he protects

00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:37.980
 his church

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.480
 from both

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:38.879
 threats

00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:43.460
 they bring

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.980
 a proposal

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.399
 brothers

00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:44.920
 pick out

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.779
 from among you

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.539
 seven men

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.359
 of good repute

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.639
 full of the

00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:49.160
 spirit

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.759
 and of wisdom

00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.240
 whom we'll

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.759
 appoint to

00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.319
 this duty

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:56.899
 now

00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.740
 I think we can

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.679
 treat this as

00:21:58.679 --> 00:21:59.139
 a bit of an

00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.919
 illustration of

00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:00.439
 deacons

00:22:00.439 --> 00:22:01.500
 we're going to

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.059
 actually do a

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.899
 sermon next week

00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:03.399
 on deacons

00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.059
 so I'm not going

00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.500
 to spend much

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.159
 time on that

00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:06.159
 but the word

00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:06.879
 deacon here

00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.839
 as a title

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.599
 isn't used

00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.279
 so it's not

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:11.480
 precisely

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.059
 but anyway

00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.700
 we'll come to that

00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.139
 next week

00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:17.139
 what I'm amazed

00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.639
 by is

00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.399
 even the way

00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.559
 they go about

00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.240
 the solution

00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.620
 to this

00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:21.039
 problem

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.319
 demonstrates

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.480
 being family

00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.579
 in Jesus

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:26.779
 I love

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.160
 that there's

00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.480
 not

00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:30.039
 political

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.000
 manoeuvring

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.380
 here

00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:33.279
 there's not

00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.900
 backdoor

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.740
 conversations

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.480
 going on

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.319
 there's not

00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.259
 identity

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.900
 politics

00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.259
 going

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.980
 okay fine

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.759
 we'll get

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.700
 four Greek

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.819
 men

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.440
 and three

00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.039
 Hebrew

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.539
 men

00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.059
 on this

00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.480
 committee

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.259
 it's not

00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.839
 political

00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:50.200
 it's not

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.660
 whoever

00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.220
 gives the

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.480
 money

00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:51.880
 to the

00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.180
 church

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.559
 gets to

00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.000
 decide

00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.940
 it's the

00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.400
 whole church

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.799
 gathered

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:56.400
 whole church

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.960
 deciding

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:59.340
 we're told

00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.400
 that they're

00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.220
 all pleased

00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.160
 with proposals

00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:02.600
 so the

00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.160
 Hebrew

00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.100
 Christians

00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.420
 they're

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.720
 going

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.240
 yes

00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.140
 we love

00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.960
 we love

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.259
 you

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.519
 we love

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.880
 you

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:10.420
 Greek

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:10.980
 speaking

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.580
 widows

00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:12.140
 we do

00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.240
 they're

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.500
 pleased

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.799
 with this

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.220
 proposal

00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:18.480
 they're

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.840
 pleased

00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:19.080
 with the

00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.460
 proposal

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:19.759
 in the

00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:19.960
 sense

00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.160
 that

00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.440
 yes

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:20.640
 we

00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.079
 agree

00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.519
 the

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.980
 word

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.220
 and

00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.480
 prayer

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:22.860
 must

00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.259
 remain

00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.799
 central

00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.120
 if

00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:24.299
 we're

00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:24.400
 going

00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:24.500
 to

00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.000
 survive

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.319
 and

00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.700
 be

00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:25.819
 a

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.100
 witness

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.960
 they're

00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.279
 pleased

00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:27.480
 with

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.720
 that

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:30.759
 the

00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.140
 church

00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.299
 is

00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.019
 entrusted

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.360
 with

00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:32.980
 appointing

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.740
 those

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:33.960
 put

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.120
 in

00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:34.519
 charge

00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.700
 it's

00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:35.860
 not

00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:36.000
 an

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.440
 autocratic

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:36.960
 decision

00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.519
 nor

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:37.700
 is

00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:37.880
 it

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.360
 just

00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:39.700
 pure

00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.240
 democracy

00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.000
 it's

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.340
 led

00:23:41.340 --> 00:23:41.740
 by the

00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.079
 apostles

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.299
 but

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.460
 they're

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:43.640
 also

00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:43.960
 given

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.200
 it's

00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:45.620
 like

00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:45.799
 a

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.200
 family

00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.480
 it's

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:46.740
 calling

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:46.900
 a

00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.180
 family

00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.579
 meeting

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:47.819
 around

00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:47.980
 the

00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.160
 dinner

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.519
 table

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.839
 they decide

00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.279
 together

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.180
 that's the

00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.599
 picture that

00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.059
 comes to my

00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.259
 mind

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.539
 anyway

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.799
 and they

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.799
 gladly use

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.379
 the gospel

00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.059
 criteria

00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:59.879
 they've

00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.139
 got to be

00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:00.500
 of good

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.000
 repute

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.279
 these

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.519
 men

00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:01.819
 their

00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.359
 character

00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.919
 must

00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.339
 be

00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.159
 known

00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.720
 to be

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.079
 trustworthy

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.259
 but

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.500
 notice

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.700
 they've

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:07.819
 got to

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:07.940
 be

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.339
 full

00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.480
 of

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:08.639
 the

00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:09.059
 spirit

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:11.019
 be

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.299
 worth

00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.639
 talking

00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:11.759
 at

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:11.960
 morning

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.220
 tea

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.879
 how

00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:13.159
 you

00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:13.519
 tell

00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:13.779
 if

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.119
 someone's

00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.319
 full

00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:14.419
 of

00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:14.539
 the

00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:14.779
 spirit

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:17.599
 I've

00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:17.759
 got

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.259
 some

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.500
 ideas

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:18.700
 but

00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.039
 I'll

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.139
 let

00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:19.240
 you

00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.460
 talk

00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.639
 about

00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:19.799
 that

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.700
 they've

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:21.759
 got

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:21.899
 to do

00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.079
 a

00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.379
 very

00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:22.899
 practical

00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.500
 task

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.779
 but

00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:24.940
 they've

00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.079
 got to

00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.240
 be

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.779
 spiritual

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.599
 men

00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.240
 they've

00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.359
 got to

00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:27.480
 be

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:27.839
 spiritual

00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.299
 people

00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.960
 like

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.759
 imagine

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.619
 how fragile

00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:32.920
 these

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.519
 relationships

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.039
 were

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.940
 between

00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:37.319
 years

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:37.539
 of

00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.160
 prejudice

00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:40.240
 experience

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.640
 between

00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:40.900
 one

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.200
 another

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:43.579
 these

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.859
 people

00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.240
 put in

00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.579
 charge

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.240
 had to

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.039
 be so

00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.819
 saturated

00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.099
 in the

00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.460
 gospel

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.799
 and

00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.240
 careful

00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.940
 in

00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.160
 how

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.360
 they

00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:52.700
 handle

00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:52.900
 this

00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.440
 situation

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.000
 so

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.120
 to

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.279
 be

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.680
 spiritual

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.240
 isn't

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.460
 just

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:56.620
 to

00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:56.900
 teach

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.160
 like

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.380
 I

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:57.559
 am

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.059
 you

00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.400
 need

00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:58.920
 to

00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.100
 be

00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.779
 saturated

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.400
 in

00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.700
 the

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:00.980
 truth

00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.140
 of

00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.440
 Jesus

00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:01.700
 to

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.059
 handle

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.660
 practical

00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.519
 situations

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.799
 gotta

00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.019
 be

00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.460
 spiritual

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.180
 and

00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.700
 the

00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:06.980
 church

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.279
 loves

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.559
 that

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:09.960
 because

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.160
 the

00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:10.500
 apostles

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.180
 commissioned

00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:11.400
 them

00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.579
 they

00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:11.960
 approved

00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.160
 their

00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:12.559
 choice

00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:14.120
 it's

00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.240
 a

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.100
 wonderful

00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.480
 picture

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:15.680
 of

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.019
 family

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.200
 I

00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.400
 think

00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.620
 and

00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:17.500
 a

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.000
 unity

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.340
 of

00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.879
 yes

00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.519
 let's

00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.679
 be

00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.099
 witnesses

00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.339
 for

00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.480
 the

00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:20.839
 gospel

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.740
 centrality

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:22.939
 of

00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.039
 the

00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.359
 word

00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:23.599
 but

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:23.839
 also

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.299
 how

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.480
 they

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:24.699
 make

00:25:24.699 --> 00:25:24.819
 the

00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.220
 decision

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.599
 is

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:25.859
 as

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.339
 family

00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.019
 it's

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.819
 a

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.119
 wonderful

00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.579
 picture

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:32.439
 and

00:25:32.439 --> 00:25:32.619
 what's

00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.039
 the result

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.559
 verse 7

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.379
 and the

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.699
 word of

00:25:34.699 --> 00:25:34.839
 God

00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.240
 continued

00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.500
 to

00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.039
 increase

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.399
 and

00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:36.539
 the

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.759
 number

00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:36.899
 of

00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:36.980
 the

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.379
 disciples

00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:38.019
 multiplied

00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.759
 greatly

00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.000
 in

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.419
 Jerusalem

00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:39.759
 and

00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:39.879
 a

00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.079
 great

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.359
 many

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:40.480
 of

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:40.619
 the

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.119
 priests

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.759
 became

00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.119
 obedient

00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:43.299
 to

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.419
 the

00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:43.720
 faith

00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:46.899
 the

00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.319
 word

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.139
 increase

00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.440
 the

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.860
 apostles

00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.300
 were

00:25:49.300 --> 00:25:49.620
 freed

00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:49.800
 up

00:25:49.800 --> 00:25:49.960
 to

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.160
 keep

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.580
 speaking

00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.820
 we

00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:52.140
 see

00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.360
 that

00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:52.680
 two

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:52.840
 of

00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.040
 these

00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:53.320
 men

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.160
 go

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.420
 on

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:54.540
 to

00:25:54.540 --> 00:25:54.800
 be

00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.640
 evangelists

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:57.200
 I'm

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.360
 not

00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:57.620
 sure

00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:57.800
 if

00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:57.920
 I

00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.100
 can

00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.420
 say

00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.600
 this

00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:58.740
 but

00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.240
 maybe

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.480
 the

00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.000
 authority

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.320
 given

00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:00.500
 to

00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:00.620
 them

00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:00.780
 by

00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:00.920
 the

00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.259
 church

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.360
 empowered

00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.620
 them

00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:02.920
 to

00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.900
 go

00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.120
 on

00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.240
 to

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.780
 other

00:26:04.780 --> 00:26:05.080
 things

00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:05.259
 as

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.500
 well

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.740
 so

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:06.860
 it

00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.200
 increased

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.360
 in

00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.500
 that

00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:07.740
 way

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.140
 it

00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:08.580
 increased

00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:08.759
 in

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:08.860
 the

00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.040
 way

00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:09.280
 that

00:26:09.280 --> 00:26:10.520
 how

00:26:10.520 --> 00:26:10.720
 they

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:10.960
 come

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.060
 to

00:26:11.060 --> 00:26:11.259
 this

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.660
 decision

00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:11.820
 and

00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:12.720
 that

00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:12.880
 they

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.140
 are

00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.560
 treating

00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:13.780
 one

00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:13.960
 another

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.120
 as

00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.559
 family

00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:17.100
 between

00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.319
 the

00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.579
 Greek

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:17.759
 and

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.920
 Hebrew

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.440
 speaking

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:22.340
 I

00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.019
 suspect

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.740
 that's

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.000
 why

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.380
 Luke

00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:24.660
 talks

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:24.819
 about

00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:24.960
 the

00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.340
 priests

00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:27.440
 I

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:27.920
 suspect

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.539
 it's

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.799
 that

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.000
 they

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.559
 saw

00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.180
 in

00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.440
 this

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.059
 church

00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.680
 led

00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:32.880
 by

00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.059
 the

00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.519
 apostles

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.900
 a

00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.340
 unity

00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:35.600
 that

00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:35.740
 they

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.000
 didn't

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.360
 see

00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:37.360
 in

00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:37.519
 the

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.160
 synagogues

00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:41.640
 that

00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.319
 unity

00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.759
 that

00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.000
 goes

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.340
 across

00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:43.819
 cultures

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:45.799
 and

00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:45.960
 they

00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.419
 submitted

00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:47.099
 themselves

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.379
 even

00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:47.500
 though

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:47.619
 they

00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:47.720
 were

00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.259
 priests

00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.980
 in

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.099
 the

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.359
 temple

00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:49.779
 system

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.159
 teaching

00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.359
 the

00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:50.519
 law

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:50.659
 of

00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:50.939
 Moses

00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:51.220
 they

00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.819
 submit

00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.359
 themselves

00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:52.599
 to

00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:52.740
 the

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.200
 authority

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.539
 of

00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:53.779
 the

00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.579
 apostles

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.200
 going

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:57.000
 you

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.659
 apostles

00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.599
 are

00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:58.759
 the

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.099
 true

00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.639
 leaders

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.519
 of

00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.839
 God's

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.099
 true

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.599
 people

00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.819
 priests

00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.179
 doing

00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:03.439
 that

00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:05.279
 I

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.899
 think

00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:06.240
 that's

00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.559
 because

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.740
 of

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.000
 the

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.379
 winsomeness

00:27:08.379 --> 00:27:08.779
 with

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.019
 which

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.299
 they

00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.079
 solve

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.319
 this

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:10.679
 problem

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:13.480
 it

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.759
 seems

00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:13.980
 to be

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.140
 the

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.519
 connection

00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.920
 that

00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.279
 Luke

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.420
 is

00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:15.700
 drawing

00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.060
 anyway

00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:18.580
 so

00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:18.740
 the

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:18.920
 Lord

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.120
 didn't

00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.380
 only

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.920
 protect

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.259
 the

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.600
 church

00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.400
 he

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.920
 used

00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.100
 the

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.440
 threat

00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:24.320
 to

00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:24.720
 cause

00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:24.900
 the

00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.240
 gospel

00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.720
 witness

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.519
 to

00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.080
 increase

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:29.879
 that's

00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.019
 how

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.500
 unstoppable

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.799
 he

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.059
 is

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:34.960
 now

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.359
 example

00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:35.960
 came to

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.599
 mind

00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:36.740
 of

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:36.919
 our

00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.319
 church

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:41.919
 last

00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:42.119
 week

00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.240
 we

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.000
 just

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.259
 had a

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.500
 grace

00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:43.839
 kids

00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.299
 meeting

00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:47.480
 I

00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:47.639
 didn't

00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:47.899
 go to

00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:48.000
 the

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.240
 meeting

00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.480
 mind

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.599
 you

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.000
 I

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.179
 just

00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:49.299
 want

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:49.359
 to

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.500
 say

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.679
 that

00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.679
 Catherine

00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.019
 just

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.639
 does

00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:51.879
 such

00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.059
 a

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.259
 stellar

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.579
 job

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.599
 I

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:53.740
 didn't

00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:53.879
 feel

00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.000
 like

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.099
 I

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.240
 needed

00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.359
 to

00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:54.480
 be

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.679
 there

00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.519
 but

00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.319
 grace

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.559
 kids

00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.059
 now

00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.879
 I

00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.039
 am

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.379
 super

00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:58.879
 encouraged

00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.559
 there

00:27:59.559 --> 00:27:59.720
 are

00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.000
 so

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.179
 many

00:28:00.179 --> 00:28:00.500
 people

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.859
 helping

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.019
 with

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.259
 grace

00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.519
 kids

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:01.720
 this

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:01.859
 year

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.559
 it's

00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.259
 a

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.559
 wonderful

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:03.859
 thing

00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.980
 but

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.480
 if

00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:05.639
 you're

00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:05.779
 new

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:05.899
 to

00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.019
 the

00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.279
 church

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.679
 you

00:28:06.679 --> 00:28:06.819
 may

00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:06.980
 not

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.500
 realise

00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.339
 the

00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:08.720
 fruit

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.019
 we're

00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.379
 reaping

00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:09.799
 today

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.019
 was

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.440
 born

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:11.700
 out

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:11.859
 of

00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:12.480
 controversy

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:14.559
 five

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:14.759
 years

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:14.960
 ago

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.139
 was

00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.299
 it

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:17.419
 there

00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:17.659
 was

00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:17.879
 a

00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.379
 dispute

00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.460
 in

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:19.619
 the

00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.019
 church

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.339
 for

00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:20.659
 those

00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:20.779
 who

00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:20.899
 were

00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.159
 here

00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:22.819
 it

00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.220
 was

00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.359
 a

00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:23.659
 tension

00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.059
 point

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.339
 like

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.559
 some

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:24.819
 people

00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.440
 were

00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:25.659
 ready

00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:25.899
 to

00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:26.299
 leave

00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.519
 because

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:27.759
 they

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.000
 thought

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.200
 we

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.460
 weren't

00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.279
 prioritising

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.819
 children

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.399
 and teaching

00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:30.819
 children

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.279
 others

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.740
 were

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:33.680
 really

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.619
 worried

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:34.899
 that

00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.339
 sending

00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:35.559
 the

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:35.799
 children

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.099
 out

00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.299
 would

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.039
 be

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.639
 not

00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.019
 treating

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.200
 them

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.339
 as

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.759
 family

00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:39.960
 they

00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.119
 should

00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.259
 be

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.619
 part

00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:40.740
 of

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:40.859
 the

00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.700
 family

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.279
 gathering

00:28:42.279 --> 00:29:12.279


00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:42.279


00:29:42.279 --> 00:30:12.279


00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.680


00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.000
 bad

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.079
 prejudice

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:27.980
 violin

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.579
 and

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.660
 saw

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:29.879
 this

00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.220
 story

00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.420
 by

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.639
 their

00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:33.900
 1 and 7, which is the increase of the Word of God.

00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:43.400
 What was driving the concern of the apostles and the Spirit-filled church was the witness

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:43.980
 of Jesus.

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:51.700
 I'm not sure what internal threats we're going to face this year.

00:30:51.700 --> 00:31:03.940
 Updating the Constitution, what great way to debate and set up 20, 30 different arguments.

00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:09.559
 We could if we chose to make a battleground on certain things.

00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:14.100
 It's always a threat, I think.

00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:24.679
 Clicks in the church, relating to one another based off personal preferences and even prejudice,

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.859
 remaining prejudice.

00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:37.159
 Who knows the toxic spirit of complaining without seeking true solutions or maybe neglecting

00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:39.659
 serious practical love for one another.

00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:43.980
 Maybe it's drifting away from devoting ourselves to the apostles' teaching.

00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:55.079
 The impact being in Acts has had on me is it's calming my fears of the unknown.

00:31:57.639 --> 00:32:00.639
 Because it's making me ask the right question.

00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:07.199
 If we can trust the Lord to sustain us, even using internal threats to cause us to grow,

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:10.839
 we've just got to ask the right question.

00:32:12.439 --> 00:32:13.279
 Threats will come.

00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:15.099
 They're here now.

00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:18.619
 They're more than what I listed.

00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:28.319
 But the question is, what will be a compelling witness to the life found in Jesus' people,

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:30.459
 of belonging to Jesus in his people?

00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:37.120
 I think the takeaway here is asking the right question.

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:43.380
 What's going to be a witness to how good it is to belong to Jesus?

00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:52.980
 Because once we ask that question, we'll go back to Scripture to get guidance.

00:32:55.980 --> 00:33:04.820
 And whatever threats do come this year, being back in Acts, I'm taking comfort and I'm taking

00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:10.319
 confidence that we can see that nothing can hinder the risen Lord.

00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:15.039
 Not external, not internal threats.

00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.419
 Nothing.

00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:28.559
 Not the Jewish leaders with all their power, even putting Stephen to death, as we're going to see next week.

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:31.679
 That just spreads the gospel.

00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:37.720
 It's not unbelievers who make it their mission to destroy the church, like Saul.

00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.720
 It can't stop Jesus.

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:51.380
 It's not inside the church, like we've seen today, remaining prejudiced and being hesitant to include Gentiles.

00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:55.059
 Jesus transforms his church from the inside out.

00:33:56.240 --> 00:34:00.059
 It's not secular leaders like Herod, who's eaten by worms.

00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:03.240
 And then the next sentence is like, but the word kept spreading.

00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:11.059
 It's not even...

00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:15.539
 There's real losses, like the martyrdom of Stephen.

00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:18.099
 We're told James is put to the sword.

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.980
 There's some serious things that happen.

00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:25.079
 But Jesus' church keeps going.

00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:35.779
 It's not legalism inside the church, adding laws to going, you want to be a true Christian, you need to also do this, this, this.

00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:47.960
 It's not religions and secular opposition from Greeks when they take believers to court and there's riots and there's beatings.

00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:49.440
 That doesn't stop Jesus.

00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:54.480
 It's not the doctrinal incompleteness of Apollos.

00:34:55.699 --> 00:35:00.219
 It's not even natural phenomena like shipwreck and snake bites can stop Paul.

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:04.920
 It's not imprisonment or house arrest.

00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.119
 The gospel isn't chained.

00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:12.179
 While we're in Acts, we've got to see the big picture.

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:14.819
 Nothing's stopping Jesus and the spread of his church.

00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:22.319
 So we should take comfort from that and trust him to guide us through whatever's coming, whatever we're in right now.

00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:34.980
 And I think just ask that simple question, but the right question, what will be a compelling witness to how good it is to belong to Jesus and his people?

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:38.019
 Will you pray with me?

00:35:38.120 --> 00:35:38.460
 Let's pray.

00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:57.559
 Lord, thank you that you are ruling, that you are ruling this church family.

00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.519
 It's your church.

00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:14.420
 Lord, I pray for each one of us that in the moments where it feels anything but family with, there's going to be things that feel so awful.

00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:28.900
 And so I pray that in those moments that you would help us remember your words and remember the encouragement of Acts, that you will complete your church.

00:36:29.180 --> 00:36:30.860
 You will continue to grow your church.

00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:39.800
 So I pray that you would comfort us in that knowledge and drive us back into your word and being dependent on your spirit to guide us.

00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:42.460
 Please use us, God.

00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:52.800
 Please use us to spread the knowledge of you so that others will come into your family and be saved.

00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.340
 Please use us.

00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.640
 In Jesus' name.

00:36:55.820 --> 00:36:56.079
 Amen.

00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:10.360
 Thanks, Dave.