WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.360 All right, good morning, church. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:16.100 All right, we are super excited to get to worship with you guys one more time before we head back to our country in Southeast Asia. 00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:21.960 ! The past couple months has been an extreme delight and joy for our family. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:26.300 We've gotten to have meals with many of you guys to talk. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:29.880 And sadly, there's been some that we haven't even had a chance. 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:33.939 And we're like, oh, we wish we could sit down and talk with them. 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:37.280 But in the Lord's due time, we would love to do that. 00:00:39.120 --> 00:00:45.380 I'm excited to get to bring the word to you all today from Acts chapter 14. 00:00:45.620 --> 00:00:49.799 So if you have your copy of God's word, please open to Acts chapter 14. 00:00:50.019 --> 00:00:53.820 And we'll begin today in verses 19 through 28. 00:00:53.820 --> 00:01:09.120 As you're turning there, I want you to know that my hope for today's sermon is that you will be reminded of the joyful privilege and blessing it is to have the local church. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:16.040 And I want to remind you that I know you guys already know it. 00:01:16.100 --> 00:01:24.460 But we, as Nathan has said over and over again, if you've spent any time around Providence Baptist Church, he will say, 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:28.980 we are people slow to remember and quick to forget. 00:01:28.980 --> 00:01:33.460 And why does he say this a lot? 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:39.240 Well, because we are people slow to remember and quick to forget. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:41.280 So we need a lot of reminders. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:52.500 And so my prayer for today is that you will clearly see in the scripture that our God is building his church through his church for his glory. 00:01:53.400 --> 00:02:05.560 I pray that you will not only see it, but you will be reminded of the joyful privilege and delight that it is that you have been given by God to be a part of a church. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:09.699 That if you're a member here, that you get to call Providence Baptist Church. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:18.979 And if you are not from here, I do hope that you have a church that you get to be a faithful member at and call your family. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:31.360 To be a part of a local church who knows the gospel, loves the gospel, loves one another, and desires to see his glory known in all the earth. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:36.320 So may we never forget the precious privilege that we have been given. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:43.680 But before we begin looking at today's passage, I want to lay a little bit of a foundation, a little bit of a context, 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:48.820 since we're jumping into the middle of the book of Acts, into some events that have already been unfolding. 00:02:49.420 --> 00:02:55.720 And I don't have enough time to do a lot of detail, so I'm giving you a very big overview of what goes on here. 00:02:55.719 --> 00:03:02.659 Really, we're looking at Paul's first missionary journey, and this starts back in Acts 13.1, 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:08.120 where Paul and Barnabas were worshiping the Lord and fasting with the church at Antioch in Syria. 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:11.259 And the Holy Spirit said to the church, 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:17.139 Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:24.479 Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:29.819 So here is the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:35.959 and they are set apart and sent out through the local church. 00:03:37.359 --> 00:03:41.039 And from there, they set out on this U-shaped journey. 00:03:41.739 --> 00:03:46.819 They then go to Cyprus, and then to places in Lycia and Galatia. 00:03:47.459 --> 00:03:51.219 And what do they do each time they arrive to these new places? 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:56.039 Well, they preach the gospel and make disciples. 00:03:56.879 --> 00:03:58.280 And why do they preach? 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:03.240 Well, because they preach because the power to raise dead hearts to life 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:08.639 is not in them, but is in the word, the gospel proclaimed. 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:15.259 It wasn't in just doing acts of mercy or of kindness, which we should do, 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:18.480 but it was through the preached word. 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:24.079 Acts of mercy might be a vehicle to help carry the gospel to some of these regions, 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:28.819 but without the gospel proclamation, there will be no life. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:31.319 There will be no true power. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:37.899 So what was Paul's missionary strategy that we see throughout Acts 13 and 14, 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:39.579 and honestly, the whole book of Acts? 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:45.359 Well, we see that he goes and he preaches the gospel. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:49.279 And he goes to the next place and he preaches the gospel. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:54.259 And I would like to say that this isn't just Paul's missionary strategy, 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:56.279 but this should be ours. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:05:00.560 We know Mark chapter 16, verse 15 says, 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:05.439 to go out into all the world and preach the good news. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:10.300 And what is the core of the gospel they were preaching? 00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:16.259 And before we get into our text, I want to make this clear, church. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:18.620 And I know you know this. 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:21.540 You've heard the gospel proclaimed over and over again. 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:24.980 But we are slow to remember and quick to forget. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:31.540 So I do want to remind you that the gospel is that you have sinned against a holy God 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:35.819 and deserve to be cast into hell for all of eternity. 00:05:36.520 --> 00:05:42.220 That there is no amount of good works that you could do to save yourself from the wrath of God. 00:05:42.780 --> 00:05:46.200 However, God sent his perfect son, Jesus Christ, 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:52.860 who came and lived a perfect life and died as a substitute on your behalf, 00:05:53.660 --> 00:05:58.500 taking your sin upon himself and giving you his righteousness. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:02.959 And then on the third day, he rises from the dead. 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:10.060 And if you believe in him and repent of your sin, you can have eternal life. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:14.480 That is the core of the gospel message that we believe. 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:16.920 And this is good news. 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:20.939 But I'm afraid as a church who's very comfortable with this, 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:25.060 that we can be in danger of adding to this gospel. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:30.980 Instead of it just being Jesus and the gospel plus nothing else, 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:40.560 we're in danger of adding external actions to try and affirm our acceptance or our maturity in God. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:45.620 Maybe it's Jesus plus a quiet time every morning. 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:48.800 Jesus plus a healthy lifestyle. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:52.120 Jesus plus dressing a certain way. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:54.100 Or Jesus plus homeschooling. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:55.439 Plus good parenting. 00:06:56.400 --> 00:06:58.259 Jesus plus a stable job. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:06:59.660 A big family. 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:01.960 Jesus plus fostering. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:04.139 Jesus plus getting married. 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:07.319 Jesus plus being a part of a healthy church. 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:10.620 Jesus plus doing family worship. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:12.960 Now listen to me carefully. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:15.560 These are things that are good to do. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:23.240 But if you think that your maturity or acceptance by God is merely based on doing these things, 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:27.180 then you are in danger of adding to the gospel. 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:31.819 Which adding anything to the gospel actually takes away from the gospel. 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:37.720 And then in your evangelism, as you're sharing with others, 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:42.800 you are in danger of unintentionally saying through your actions, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:53.660 to be a Christian means believing in Jesus and homeschooling and eating this way and being reformed. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:08:03.840 We must be careful that we are clear on what the gospel is and that we aren't adding to it. 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:07.000 So should you read your Bible every day? 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:10.740 I think this is a good practice and a really good habit. 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:16.620 But listen, if you walk through the rest of the entire day feeling guilty 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:19.639 or feeling that you're not pleasing to the Lord 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:22.259 because you didn't get up early and read your Bible 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:25.360 because maybe you had sick kids all last night. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:29.500 And if you feel like you're not walking pleasing to the Lord because of that, 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:36.799 you might be trying to earn some kind of merit through your quiet times. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:41.220 You're accepted by God in the gospel. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.500 And should you do these things? 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:46.500 Yes, the gospel compels you to want to know the Lord more, 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.639 to want to delight and spend time with him. 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:54.059 But your righteousness, your merit before the Lord is not based on what you do. 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:55.879 It's based on what he has done. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:59.360 And that is really good for us to keep reminding ourselves. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:03.159 I love the lyrics of the song that say, 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:06.500 All sufficient merit, shining like the sun, 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:10.039 A fortune I inherit, by no work I have done. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:14.039 My righteousness I forfeit at my Savior's cross, 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:17.939 Where all sufficient merit did what I could not. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:20.500 And you know what? 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:25.600 God doesn't just save us and leave us alone. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:32.340 But he cares for us so much that he places us in a family that we get to call the church. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:40.019 And it is through that church that he goes and he gathers more people to praise him for his goodness and grace. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:43.980 A family which will help us to remember the gospel. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:47.120 For how do we grow in our discipleship? 00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:50.440 Well, we preach the gospel to one another. 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:54.380 We preach the gospel to our own hearts. 00:09:55.140 --> 00:09:59.960 We listen to good, faithful preaching while we gather with the church. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:04.400 And this is why I get so concerned when I hear people say, 00:10:04.780 --> 00:10:06.920 And I have heard this quite a few times. 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:11.379 I don't go to that church because of the preaching. 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:14.679 I go because of the community. 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:16.539 The programs. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:20.179 And that leaves me going, 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:21.000 What? 00:10:21.819 --> 00:10:22.379 Really? 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:28.659 That's like saying I go to a hospital because I like hanging out with the nurses and doctors. 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:31.360 They're very friendly. 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:38.159 Though they might have a terrible reputation of not helping sick patients get better, 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:40.259 They got really nice nurses. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:42.720 Now don't get me wrong. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:46.259 A good hospital will be hospitable. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:52.600 But I want to be in a place where I am going to hear of the balm for my soul. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:57.320 I want to be in the place where the word of God is going to be preached. 00:10:58.100 --> 00:10:59.360 And where I can grow. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:05.740 I want to be in a place where sick patients can get better. 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:14.600 So brothers and sisters, we need to be in a community where we will hear the gospel preached regularly and faithfully. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:17.019 A place where we will find true help. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:24.259 So I'm laying a little bit of foundation because you see that Paul is going to place and he's preaching the gospel, 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.019 Preaching the gospel. 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:28.139 And he goes to the next place and he preaches, makes disciples. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:32.480 But I also want you to see that's not all he does on this journey. 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:35.440 And this is what we'll get into in Acts chapter 14. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:43.399 He also plants churches, appoints elders, strengthen and teaches the believers. 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:48.000 And this is what we will see throughout Acts 14, 19 through 28. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:51.220 So if you have your copy of God's Word, let's read it. 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:58.740 Acts 14, starting in verse 19, says, 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:10.899 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:16.440 And having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:20.799 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:23.539 And on the next day, he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:28.219 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:31.120 they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:35.799 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:40.120 and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:45.639 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church with prayer and fasting, 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:48.480 they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:51.740 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:55.419 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Italia. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.720 And from there they sailed to Antioch, 00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:02.179 where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:04.820 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:07.360 they declared all that God had done with them 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:11.180 and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:15.240 And they remained no little time with the disciples. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:24.019 I've divided our passage today into two parts to make it easier to follow along. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:28.899 Part one is the suffering from verses 19 through 20. 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:34.399 And part two is the mission, verses 21 through 28. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:42.879 And the main point of our text today will be that God is building his church through his church for his glory. 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:46.500 So part one, the suffering. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:51.059 I'm going to reread verse 19, which says, 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:53.519 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:57.379 and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:00.000 supposing that he was dead. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:05.600 Paul and Barnabas had just come from preaching in Antioch and Iconium, 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:08.820 and after many had heard the gospel and believed, 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:11.220 much conflict began to stir. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.840 Well, actually, the conflict wasn't even just stirring. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:15.899 It was actually boiling over at this point. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:19.980 Antioch and Iconium were about 100 miles away from Lystra, 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:22.000 where Paul and Barnabas were. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:25.559 However, this kind of journey could take a group of people, 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:28.440 anywhere from like two to five full days of traveling, 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:30.139 to get there. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.460 So in relative comparison, 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:35.399 it would be like they jumped in a bus in Atlanta, 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:40.779 and drove all the way to California to put an end to Paul, the preacher. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.460 I hope you see that they were pretty mad. 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:46.580 There was a lot of conflict stirring there. 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:49.560 So when they get there, 00:14:50.020 --> 00:14:55.420 they persuade the crowds to stone Paul and drag him out of the city. 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:58.180 And mob stoning like this was brutal. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:02.720 Getting pounded by large, heavy stones, 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:05.520 bones breaking, blood dripping, skull cracking. 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:09.080 And after they are sure he is dead, 00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:13.100 they drag his limp body out of the city. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:17.240 And this was a deep pain and suffering, 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:20.840 and I'm sure Paul looked as dead as dead could be. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.659 But what happens next? 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.480 Verse 20 says, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:26.779 But when the disciples gathered about him, 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:29.920 he rose up and into the city, 00:15:30.040 --> 00:15:33.120 and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:38.100 The disciples had actually probably come to bury him, 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.200 but in a miraculous way, 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:44.500 Paul gets up and the next day heads on to Derbe. 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:47.360 Paul's condition was probably worse than somebody, 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:52.280 if somebody had driven their car off the side of a mountain and lived. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.740 His condition was probably worse, 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:56.480 but in some miraculous way he gets up 00:15:56.480 --> 00:16:00.620 and he walks the distance of potentially 50 miles 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:02.740 to go to the next city. 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.480 And what does he do? 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:05.940 Well, he continues to preach. 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.760 God gives him the strength to go on, 00:16:08.880 --> 00:16:11.800 but his scars still remain. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:16.320 And what was Paul's perspective over Christian suffering? 00:16:17.400 --> 00:16:20.200 There actually are many places we could turn to, 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:26.060 but I want to mention just one that is relevant for our passage for today. 00:16:26.760 --> 00:16:29.740 Listen as I read Colossians chapter 1, 00:16:30.140 --> 00:16:32.460 verses 24 through 26. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:35.040 It says, 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:39.019 Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:43.500 and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's affliction 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:47.319 for the sake of his body that is the church, 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:51.860 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.519 that was given to me for you 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:56.279 to make the word of God fully known, 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.919 the mystery hidden for ages and generations, 00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:01.219 but now revealed to his saints. 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:05.460 So Paul sees his sufferings as filling up 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:08.460 what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 00:17:09.360 --> 00:17:10.519 And if you read that, 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.059 I bet a lot of you guys are saying, 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.839 what does Paul mean here? 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:18.960 How can there be anything lacking in Christ's afflictions? 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:23.079 Maybe you will think of Hebrews 10, 14, 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.759 which says, 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:27.339 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.880 those who are being sanctified. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:33.440 Christ's atonement was perfectly sufficient. 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.440 So what is lacking? 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:39.900 Well, nothing is lacking in merit, 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:42.620 but it is lacking in extension. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:46.420 And I love how John Piper explains it. 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.380 He says, 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:50.960 Christ's suffering must be carried to the world. 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:54.020 And God has ordained that this happens 00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:56.760 through the suffering of his servants. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:59.519 He also says, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:02.319 The sufferings of Christ are completed in redemption, 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:06.279 but they are still being completed in mission. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:11.339 As his ambassadors go out and preach the good news, 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.400 there will be suffering. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:16.079 And in that suffering and sacrifice, 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:18.819 there will be a physical display of Christ's suffering 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:21.000 that proclaims to a dying world, 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.640 that proclaims to a church 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:24.000 that is suffering, 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.980 that the sufferings of this present time 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:29.460 are not worth comparing to the glory 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:31.240 that is to be revealed to us. 00:18:32.540 --> 00:18:35.640 And look at what Paul says in Acts chapter 14, 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:38.160 verses 22 in our text today. 00:18:39.520 --> 00:18:40.600 It says, 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:42.200 so we're going to skip down just a little bit, 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.960 but it says, 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:47.440 that he was strengthening the souls of the disciples, 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.360 encouraging them to continue in the faith, 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.900 and saying that through many tribulations, 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:55.440 we must enter the kingdom of God. 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.440 And remember, 00:18:58.259 --> 00:19:00.880 Paul is saying this to a church 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:04.980 right after he was stoned. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:08.099 His body, 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:10.000 broken and beaten, 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:13.940 was physically displaying the suffering of Christ, 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.460 strengthening the church, 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.759 building up the church, 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:21.980 filling up what was lacking in the affliction of Christ 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:24.839 for the sake of the church. 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:27.259 And now some of you may say, 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.099 but Caleb, 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:30.500 am I really suffering? 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:34.160 My life is so easy 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:36.240 compared to what we read in the Bible, 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:39.640 what we read about what's happening overseas 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.720 in different areas. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:43.359 And this may be true. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.200 However, 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.500 I have to ask you, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:47.099 are you being faithful 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:50.220 in these so-called smaller sacrifices 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.819 and trials for your king? 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.220 For if you are not faithful 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:56.440 in these smaller trials and difficulties 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:59.420 that you face in a time of relative ease, 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:02.279 how will you expect to be faithful 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:05.039 in the time of great trial? 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:08.620 And I can't flesh this out for all of you 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:10.279 in your specific context, 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.440 but maybe it is 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:15.519 refusing a high-paying job 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.700 or promotion 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:19.180 because it would require you to work 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.980 when the people of God are gathering. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:23.820 Or maybe your job requires you 00:20:23.820 --> 00:20:25.740 to buffer some numbers, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.380 to be dishonest, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:31.560 but you remain true. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:35.340 Maybe it's the daily sacrifice 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:37.820 of waking up 00:20:37.820 --> 00:20:41.140 every single Sunday, 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.540 getting your kids ready, 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.540 and going to church, 00:20:46.100 --> 00:20:47.080 training your kids, 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:48.640 when you know, 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:49.180 honestly, 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:50.280 you're probably only going to hear 00:20:50.280 --> 00:20:51.300 a few words from the sermon, 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:54.319 but you do it anyways 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.700 every single week 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.579 because you know 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.759 it's good for your soul, 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.799 it's good for your kids, 00:20:58.919 --> 00:21:00.119 it's good for the church. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:04.279 Maybe it's opening your mouth 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.059 at work 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.139 to share the gospel 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.740 with a co-worker 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.700 or in your neighborhood 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.500 with a neighbor 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.539 or some friends 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.379 who you know 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.700 as soon as you open your mouth 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.980 to tell them the gospel, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.940 oh, 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.779 they're going to label you 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.860 as a religious bigot. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.559 But you want them, 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.839 you want them to believe, 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.980 so you do it anyways. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.799 Maybe it's saying no 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.819 to wasting your time 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.839 on social media 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.019 or watching TV 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.839 so that you can be 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:34.500 a more faithful friend, 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.940 mom, 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:36.860 dad, 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.579 brother, 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.079 sister, 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.559 neighbor, 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.339 church member, 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.380 and disciple 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.079 to those 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.539 who are around you. 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:44.200 I don't know 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.220 what your current situation 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.879 is like 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:47.720 and what that sacrifice 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.579 might be, 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:51.720 but may we all 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.259 on these 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.879 quote-unquote 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.960 smaller trials 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.819 be faithful 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:57.139 to our king. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.339 These trials 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.579 of various kind 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.420 and may they produce 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:01.920 in us 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:03.200 a steadfastness 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.460 and may they build up 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.019 the church 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.500 for his glory. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:09.180 And after being built up, 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.319 we may stand firm 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:11.879 in the days 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.720 of great trial. 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:13.960 Praise God 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.660 that the suffering 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.700 of this present time 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:17.060 are truly not worth 00:22:17.060 --> 00:22:18.020 comparing to the glory 00:22:18.020 --> 00:22:19.160 that will be revealed to us. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.480 That is part one 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.320 of our sermon today. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.000 Part two 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.420 is the mission. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.680 And this will be 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:27.020 verses 21 through 28 00:22:27.020 --> 00:22:27.760 and I'm going to break 00:22:27.760 --> 00:22:28.580 this up into four 00:22:28.580 --> 00:22:30.260 brief sub-points 00:22:30.260 --> 00:22:31.300 or aims 00:22:31.300 --> 00:22:33.360 in order to show 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.260 what was 00:22:34.260 --> 00:22:35.300 the apostles' 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.260 mission 00:22:36.260 --> 00:22:38.740 and what was 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.020 their strategy 00:22:40.020 --> 00:22:41.040 to spread the gospel 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.420 to all nations. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.819 And by implication, 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:45.220 what should our strategy 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.859 be? 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.000 The four aims 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.819 of the mission 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.960 are reaching 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.659 the lost, 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.159 teaching the disciples, 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.460 planting local churches, 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.600 and then we see 00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.360 Paul returning 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.440 to encourage. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.019 And in all of these, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.740 and if you didn't 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.640 quite write those down 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.019 quite yet, 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:06.000 I will repeat them 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.900 as I get there. 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.420 But in all of these, 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.240 there is an underlying 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.180 assumption of preaching 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.920 and proclaiming 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.660 the word of God. 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.759 For how do we reach 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.240 the lost? 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.059 Well, it's by preaching 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.579 the gospel. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.079 How do we teach 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.700 the disciples? 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:19.240 Well, it's through 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.240 preaching the word, 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.039 encouraging each other 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.680 in the word. 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.200 We plant churches 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.259 that stand upon 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.980 the word of God 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.820 and we return 00:23:26.820 --> 00:23:28.080 and encourage others 00:23:28.080 --> 00:23:29.240 by telling all 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.960 that the gospel 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.640 has done. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.279 So the foundation 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.259 of those is a 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.340 preaching and proclaiming 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:36.019 of the word. 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.799 So aim number one, 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.060 reaching the lost. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.240 Let's read the first 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.320 part of verse 21, 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.880 which says, 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.560 when they had preached 00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:46.759 the gospel to that city 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.660 and had made 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:49.539 many disciples. 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.580 So what did they do? 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.159 They first reached 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:54.259 the lost in that city 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.559 through preaching 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.059 the gospel 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:58.419 and then making 00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:59.559 many disciples, 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.619 thus taking part, 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:02.059 the first part 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.740 of the Great Commission, 00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.419 which says, 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.039 go therefore 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.819 and make disciples 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.599 of all nations. 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:10.000 So what was Paul's aim? 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.460 To go and preach 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.259 and make disciples. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.799 So what should our aim be? 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:15.639 To go and preach 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:17.000 and make disciples. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.000 But Paul doesn't 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.000 just end there. 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.519 Paul's ambition 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.759 was to preach Christ, 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:25.240 not where he had been named, 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:27.480 as he says in Romans 15, 20. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.660 So Paul wanted to go 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:31.160 to the unreached 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:32.900 to preach the gospel there. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.180 But he just, 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.579 he doesn't just leave 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:37.720 these disciples alone. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:41.140 He doesn't just reach them, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.259 but he goes back 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.380 and teaches them 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.500 as they gather together 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:46.279 as the local church. 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:48.779 And on this U-shaped journey, 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.139 Paul was headed back 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.700 to the church 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.700 that had sent him out. 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:53.200 And if you know a U, 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.059 the quickest way back 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.940 to the other point of view 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.940 is straight across. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.220 And Paul could have 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.240 very easily done that. 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.599 But instead of doing that, 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.200 what he does is 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.680 he goes back the long way 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.299 and goes back 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.000 through the regions 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.139 that he had already been. 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:08.119 And why does he do that? 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.819 To go back to the regions 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.059 where people had just traveled 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.000 to stone him. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.579 Why does he do that? 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:15.799 What was for the sake 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.899 of the churches there? 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:19.699 For the sake of encouraging 00:25:19.699 --> 00:25:21.939 and strengthening the disciples 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:23.139 who had believed. 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.539 So aim number two, 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:28.059 teaching the disciples. 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.500 Let's read the last part 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.159 of verse 21 00:25:31.159 --> 00:25:32.960 and then verse 22. 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.619 It says, 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.019 Then they returned 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.720 to Lystra 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.639 and to Iconium 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.519 and to Antioch, 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.980 strengthening the souls 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.699 of the disciples, 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.939 encouraging them 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:43.440 to continue in the faith, 00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.340 saying that through 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.420 many tribulations 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.440 we must enter 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.680 the kingdom of God. 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.980 So after reaching them, 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.640 Paul then goes back 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:53.039 and teaches them. 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:55.400 He strengthens their souls 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.480 and encourages them 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.700 to continue in the faith, 00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:58.799 telling them that 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.059 through many tribulations 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.880 we must enter 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.860 the kingdom of God. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.660 And we don't actually 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.559 get a lot of detail 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.480 of exactly what Paul said here, 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.340 but I can imagine 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:09.080 that it sounded 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:11.139 just like what he told Timothy 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:14.759 in 2 Timothy 3, 10 through 17. 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.659 And you will see actually 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:17.539 a lot of overlap 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.740 in this passage. 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:20.740 So just listen as I read 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:23.059 2 Timothy 3, 10 through 17. 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.439 It says, 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.960 You, however, 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:28.339 have followed my teaching, 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.139 my conduct, 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:30.279 my aim in life, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.259 my faith, 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.960 my patience, 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.619 my love, 00:26:32.699 --> 00:26:33.819 my steadfastness, 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.240 my persecutions 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.859 and sufferings 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.759 that happened to me 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.700 at Antioch, 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.940 at Iconium, 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.319 and at Lystra, 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:42.039 which persecutions 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:43.019 I endured. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.460 Yet from them all 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.740 the Lord rescued me. 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.599 Indeed, 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.559 all who desire 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.680 to live a godly life 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.740 in Christ Jesus 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:52.480 will be persecuted. 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.379 While evil people 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.099 and imposters 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.839 will go on 00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:56.640 from bad to worse, 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:58.059 deceiving and being deceived, 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.500 but as for you, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.779 continue in what you 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.559 have learned 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.619 and have firmly believed, 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:06.859 knowing from whom 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.819 you have learned it 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.699 and how from childhood 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:11.259 you have been acquainted 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.599 with the sacred writings 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.339 which are able 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.379 to make you wise 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.119 for salvation 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:16.259 through faith 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.459 in Christ Jesus. 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.039 All scripture 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.059 is breathed out 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.799 by God 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.659 and profitable 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.519 for teaching, 00:27:22.739 --> 00:27:23.339 for reproof, 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.000 for correction, 00:27:24.179 --> 00:27:25.299 for training in righteousness 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.919 that the man of God 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.799 may be complete, 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.479 equipped for every 00:27:29.479 --> 00:27:30.739 good work. 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:33.099 So how does Paul 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.980 encourage Timothy 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.819 in this passage? 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.599 He teaches him 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:39.259 and reminds him 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.339 of the truth 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.599 and encourages him 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.279 to continue 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.640 in what he has learned 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:45.019 and believed. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:47.599 He also reminds him 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.720 that all scripture 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:50.000 is inspired by God 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.559 and useful 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:52.319 for building up 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.240 the church, 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.420 for equipping 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.359 the saints. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.359 Paul in Acts 14 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:58.460 encourages the churches 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.900 in a very similar way. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.359 He encourages them 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.120 in the truth, 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.480 by the truth. 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.740 He preaches 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.859 and teaches them 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:07.299 so that they may 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.440 grow in the Lord. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.680 So how are we saved? 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.599 Well, it's through 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.559 hearing and believing 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.920 the preached word of God. 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.339 How do we grow? 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.539 Well, we grow 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.740 by hearing 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.259 and believing 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.160 the word of God. 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.799 And this is the part 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.980 of the Great Commission 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.400 that says, 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.440 teaching them to obey 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:27.220 all that I have commanded you. 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.140 It's not just 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.319 go and make disciples, 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.359 but it's also 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:33.139 to teach them 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:35.000 all that he has commanded. 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:37.019 And this is not just 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.819 the job 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:39.240 of pastors, 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.960 of missionaries, 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.599 of evangelists. 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:45.079 This is the part, 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.159 this is also 00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:48.279 your job 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.740 as a member 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.139 of the body of Christ. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.740 To preach, 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.119 to reach the lost 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:55.759 around you, 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.439 proclaim the gospel 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.940 to them 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.320 and teach them 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:00.380 what the Lord 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.059 has said. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.600 So may we all 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.100 be faithful 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:05.100 to open our mouths 00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:06.440 to reach the lost 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:07.400 and teach 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.160 the disciples. 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.580 Aim number three 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:12.320 is planting 00:29:12.320 --> 00:29:13.259 churches. 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.320 Verse 23 says, 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:15.900 and when they had 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.720 appointed elders 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.940 for them in every church 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.120 with prayer and fasting, 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.360 they committed them 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.059 to the Lord 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:22.220 in whom they had 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.860 believed. 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:24.779 So along with 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.500 going back 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:25.979 to teach 00:29:25.979 --> 00:29:27.259 the many disciples, 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.579 Paul and Barnabas 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.699 returned to help 00:29:30.699 --> 00:29:31.799 appoint elders 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:34.079 in every church. 00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:35.679 Now it doesn't tell us 00:29:35.679 --> 00:29:37.359 when these churches 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.279 were formed, 00:29:38.679 --> 00:29:39.519 but somewhere 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.599 from reaching them 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.439 to teaching them, 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.500 local communities 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.179 of believers 00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:44.039 were gathering 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.759 together regularly 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.220 and they are 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.900 referred to 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.019 as churches 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.960 here in our text. 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.279 Honestly, 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.680 I wouldn't be 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:54.279 surprised if these 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.279 disciples naturally 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.039 started gathering 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.339 together because 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.180 they knew that 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.879 they needed 00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.940 one another. 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.440 They had been 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.279 called from the 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.220 community of darkness 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.519 into the community 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.240 of light, 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:06.500 so why would you 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.299 not gather 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.019 with the people 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.599 of God 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:10.200 to be encouraged 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.119 on your heavenly 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.000 journey? 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.579 It would seem 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:15.140 foolish not to, 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:16.920 but it's a point 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.520 that I have to 00:30:17.520 --> 00:30:17.960 emphasize 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:19.940 because sadly, 00:30:20.300 --> 00:30:21.600 even today, 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.860 one of the most 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.900 popular missions 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.940 methodologies out 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.080 there says 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.940 that the church 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.820 is a hindrance 00:30:27.820 --> 00:30:28.420 to the Great 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.820 Commission. 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.740 That if we would 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.820 just skip over 00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:33.800 planting churches, 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.840 we would be able 00:30:34.840 --> 00:30:35.860 to reach the nations 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.880 with the gospels 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.920 like we would have 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:38.580 done it already. 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.600 Churches are messy. 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:42.380 Why would you 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.100 slow down 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:44.259 and plant a church 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.820 when you can just 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.519 focus on making 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:45.960 disciples? 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:49.379 I hope that you 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:51.179 see the folly 00:30:51.179 --> 00:30:51.879 in this. 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.079 This is not how 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.659 the apostles 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.460 understood the 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:55.939 Great Commission. 00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:59.299 This is not how 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.559 we should understand 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.279 the Great Commission. 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.139 I mean, 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.079 imagine if your 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.039 building contractor 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:06.339 for your home 00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:07.579 had this methodology. 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.119 After spending 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.519 about $500,000 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.559 and giving the 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.200 contractor 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.640 the house plans, 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.360 you get a call 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.920 back after three 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.279 weeks and he 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.660 says, 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:19.559 we're done. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.259 You go, 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.380 you're super 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:23.799 excited, 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.519 you can't wait to 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.519 see your new 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:25.900 home, 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.759 and then when you 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.259 get there, 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.519 you're just shocked. 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.940 Not because of how 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.759 good it is, 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:32.740 but because of how 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.500 bad it is. 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.360 You walk in, 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.859 the foundation is 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.240 poor, 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.559 uneven, 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:41.379 the walls are 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:41.939 caving in, 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.679 the roof is 00:31:43.679 --> 00:31:44.319 incomplete, 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.859 the electricity 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.639 wasn't stalled 00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:47.879 right, 00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:48.500 and the plumbing 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.299 is a disaster. 00:31:50.979 --> 00:31:52.059 You would be 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.299 disgusted. 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.199 And if we are not 00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:55.559 careful, 00:31:55.679 --> 00:31:56.559 we can do the same 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.139 thing with our 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.899 approach to missions. 00:31:58.839 --> 00:32:00.139 God has given us 00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:00.819 the plan, 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.240 and in the plan 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.119 we see that he 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:04.099 builds his church 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:05.279 through his church. 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.539 And if we skip 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.259 over that, 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.039 we will be 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.159 accountable to the 00:32:10.159 --> 00:32:10.939 owner of the 00:32:10.939 --> 00:32:11.319 building, 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:13.179 the owner of the 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:13.839 church who has 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.500 given us his 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.559 building plans in 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.699 his word. 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:19.019 So we have seen 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.879 that Paul himself 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:21.139 is sent out from 00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:21.939 the church at 00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:22.599 Antioch, 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:23.759 and then he 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.939 returns back to 00:32:24.939 --> 00:32:26.319 report to the 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.939 church at 00:32:26.939 --> 00:32:27.439 Antioch. 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.259 And honestly, 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:28.539 guys, 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.359 if anybody could 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:29.799 have sent 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.759 themselves without 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.480 being sent out 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.039 from a church, 00:32:32.639 --> 00:32:33.480 it could have 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:33.859 been Paul. 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:36.179 But that's not 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:36.819 how God designed 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.000 it. 00:32:37.459 --> 00:32:37.980 He designed 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.319 that he would 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:38.980 be sent out 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.799 through a 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.139 church. 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:41.959 And he 00:32:41.959 --> 00:32:42.500 comes back 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:42.859 and he 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.299 reports to 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.879 that church. 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.539 So Paul also 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.500 returns and he 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.299 strengthens the 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.319 disciples in all 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:49.859 those churches 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.359 throughout the 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.199 regions where 00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:51.899 they had preached 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:53.000 and made many 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.519 disciples. 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.959 But why does 00:32:57.959 --> 00:32:58.480 he do this? 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:01.019 because Paul 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:02.400 knew that the 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.519 local church 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.900 is the 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.559 vehicle which 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.180 the gospel 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:07.759 would not 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.640 only reach 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.259 the nations, 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.240 but also 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.920 keep the 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.259 nations. 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.900 And what is 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.680 one of God's 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.620 appointed means 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:16.680 for growing and 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.380 keeping the 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.779 church? 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.680 You know 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.200 what it is? 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:21.279 It's elders. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.399 pastors. 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.440 That is 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:26.039 pastors or 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.759 shepherds. 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.119 Look at verse 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:29.180 23 again. 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.599 It says, 00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.759 And when they 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.359 had appointed 00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:33.119 elders for 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.719 them in every 00:33:33.719 --> 00:33:34.839 church with 00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.419 prayer and 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:36.119 fasting, they 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:36.759 committed them 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.519 to the Lord 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.159 in whom they 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:39.119 had believed. 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.459 This verse 00:33:40.459 --> 00:33:41.779 tells us that 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.500 they appointed 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.500 elders, but 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:45.059 why elders? 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.919 Listen as I 00:33:47.919 --> 00:33:48.559 read Ephesians 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:50.179 4 verses 00:33:50.179 --> 00:33:51.019 11 through 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.459 12. 00:33:52.439 --> 00:33:53.559 It says, 00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:54.279 And he gave 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:54.939 the apostles, 00:33:55.199 --> 00:33:55.779 the prophets, 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:57.059 the evangelists, 00:33:57.159 --> 00:33:58.019 the shepherds, 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:59.879 and teachers to 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.880 equip the 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.380 saints for 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:01.940 the work of 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:03.180 ministry, for 00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:04.400 building up 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.600 the body of 00:34:05.600 --> 00:34:06.180 Christ. 00:34:07.520 --> 00:34:08.360 So why did 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.280 he give 00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:09.700 elders? 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:10.980 Well, he 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.880 gave them to 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.160 make the 00:34:12.160 --> 00:34:13.059 church strong, 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:14.599 to equip the 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.200 saints. 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.200 And notice 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.000 that it uses 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.760 the word he 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:19.079 gave. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.340 Brothers, if 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.740 you are a 00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:23.740 part of a 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.900 healthy church, 00:34:25.660 --> 00:34:26.940 the Lord has 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.840 given you a 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.240 gift. 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:29.680 It says he 00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.199 gave. 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.639 Elders are a 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:33.960 gift to the 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.359 church. 00:34:35.399 --> 00:34:36.299 They are there 00:34:36.299 --> 00:34:37.259 to help little 00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:38.739 seeds, little 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.879 saplings grow 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:41.119 into oaks. 00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.440 And how do 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.119 they do this? 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:45.539 We don't have 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.019 time to go to 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.639 all the places, 00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.239 but God's word 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:49.399 tells us that 00:34:49.399 --> 00:34:50.500 elders equip, 00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:51.819 they shepherd, 00:34:52.319 --> 00:34:53.039 they care, 00:34:53.359 --> 00:34:53.759 they keep 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.759 watch, they 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:55.379 teach sound 00:34:55.379 --> 00:34:56.079 doctrine, they 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:56.879 rebuke false 00:34:56.879 --> 00:34:58.079 doctrine, they 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.779 pray for the 00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.900 church, set an 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.840 example for 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.920 the church, and 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.180 more. 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.060 This is why 00:35:05.060 --> 00:35:05.660 Paul tells 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:06.380 Titus in 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.460 Titus chapter 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.460 1 verse 5 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.240 that he left 00:35:09.240 --> 00:35:09.760 them there in 00:35:09.760 --> 00:35:10.960 Crete to put 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:12.120 what remained in 00:35:12.120 --> 00:35:13.420 order and what 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:13.880 was not in 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.100 order. 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:15.820 What was lacking 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.480 in the planning of 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.019 those churches? 00:35:17.580 --> 00:35:17.940 Well, they 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.320 didn't have 00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:18.800 elders. 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.460 So he leaves 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:20.960 them there to 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:21.560 help appoint 00:35:21.560 --> 00:35:22.280 elders. 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.880 Church, I hope 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.700 you realize the 00:35:24.700 --> 00:35:25.880 blessing it is to 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.720 have elders who 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.519 stand upon the 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.140 word of God. 00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.340 Elders who 00:35:29.340 --> 00:35:30.119 love God's 00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:31.079 word, preach 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.780 God's word, 00:35:32.220 --> 00:35:32.800 shepherd with 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:34.059 God's word, and 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:35.460 elders who love 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.519 and care for 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:36.920 you. 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.920 You may not 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.860 agree with all 00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:40.119 of their 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:40.619 decisions. 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.860 You may not 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.860 vibe with their 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.380 personality. 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.760 You may not 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:48.539 even get along 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.260 very well with 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:49.480 them. 00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:51.400 However, God 00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.119 gave them. 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.960 They are a 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.340 gift. 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.659 So may we 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.420 praise and 00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:58.079 thank God for 00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:58.480 the good 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.539 gifts that he 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.500 has given and 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.760 realize that 00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.720 shepherds are 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:03.880 also sheep. 00:36:05.220 --> 00:36:06.639 They also need 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:07.720 you members to 00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.980 strengthen and 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.280 encourage them on 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.639 their journey to 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:12.000 the heavenly 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.440 kingdom. 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:15.039 May we reflect on 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.139 Hebrews 13, 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.360 verse 17, 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:18.179 which says, 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.179 Obey your 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:20.420 leaders and 00:36:20.420 --> 00:36:21.300 submit to them, 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:23.019 for they are 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.800 keeping watch 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.500 over your 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.559 souls as 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:26.460 those who 00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:27.259 will have to 00:36:27.259 --> 00:36:27.579 give an 00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:28.039 account. 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:30.280 Let them do 00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:31.639 this with joy 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:33.259 and not with 00:36:33.259 --> 00:36:34.940 groaning, for 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.659 that would be 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.599 of no advantage 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:37.239 to you. 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:40.199 God for that. 00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.519 Please don't 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.599 talk and act 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.400 in such a way 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.039 that causes 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.920 them to groan. 00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:47.920 Be a sheep 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:49.059 that is a joy 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:49.739 to shepherd. 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:52.239 And finally, 00:36:52.379 --> 00:36:52.919 aim number 00:36:52.919 --> 00:36:54.759 four, we 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.119 see they're 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:56.619 returning to 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.299 encourage. 00:36:58.419 --> 00:36:58.779 And I'm 00:36:58.779 --> 00:37:00.039 very briefly 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.779 going over this 00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:01.119 section. 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.339 But verse 24 00:37:02.339 --> 00:37:03.000 begins, 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.819 Then they 00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.399 passed through 00:37:04.399 --> 00:37:05.000 Pisidia and 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.399 came to 00:37:05.399 --> 00:37:06.000 Pamphylia. 00:37:06.479 --> 00:37:06.859 And when they 00:37:06.859 --> 00:37:07.619 had spoken the 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.000 word in 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.559 Perga, they 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.079 went down to 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.479 Italia. 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.519 And from 00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:11.019 there they 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.500 sailed to 00:37:11.500 --> 00:37:12.139 Antioch, where 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:12.639 they had been 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.359 commended to 00:37:13.359 --> 00:37:13.979 the grace of 00:37:13.979 --> 00:37:14.579 God for the 00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.139 work that they 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.839 had fulfilled. 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.139 And when they 00:37:17.139 --> 00:37:17.859 arrived and 00:37:17.859 --> 00:37:18.399 gathered the 00:37:18.399 --> 00:37:19.000 church together, 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.679 they declared 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:20.719 all that God 00:37:20.719 --> 00:37:21.320 had done with 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:22.460 them, and how 00:37:22.460 --> 00:37:23.639 he had opened 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.519 a door of 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:25.139 faith to the 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:25.739 Gentiles. 00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:26.659 And they 00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:27.599 remained no 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.639 little time with 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.159 the disciples. 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:30.739 I think the 00:37:30.739 --> 00:37:31.500 best way I can 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.019 summarize these 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.679 verses is to 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.699 say that Paul 00:37:33.699 --> 00:37:34.460 and Barnabas 00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.320 went back 00:37:35.320 --> 00:37:36.079 through all the 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:36.539 places they 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:37.159 had been and 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:37.699 came to the 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.079 church in 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:39.099 Antioch to 00:37:39.099 --> 00:37:39.880 report to that 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.400 church who 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:40.880 had sent 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.619 them out. 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:42.980 And why do 00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.559 they report to 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.079 this church? 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.219 Because this 00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:47.179 mission wasn't 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:48.079 just Paul's 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:48.480 mission. 00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.940 This wasn't 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.440 his own 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.159 personal mission, 00:37:51.360 --> 00:37:51.980 but this was 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:52.860 God's mission 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:53.780 through the 00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.260 church. 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:56.079 The church 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:57.000 sent them out 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:57.739 to go and 00:37:57.739 --> 00:37:58.159 preach the 00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:58.699 good news to 00:37:58.699 --> 00:37:59.239 these regions, 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.880 and they 00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:03.139 come back and 00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:04.139 report all that 00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:04.960 the Lord had 00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:05.260 done. 00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:06.559 And in that, 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:07.320 the church 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:08.079 would be greatly 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.800 encouraged. 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:10.619 And then he 00:38:10.619 --> 00:38:11.179 spends no 00:38:11.179 --> 00:38:11.820 little time 00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:12.440 with the 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:12.820 disciples. 00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:12.940 disciples. 00:38:15.580 --> 00:38:16.280 So we 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:16.680 have seen 00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:17.180 in today's 00:38:17.180 --> 00:38:18.519 text that 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.320 God will 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.940 build his 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.080 church through 00:38:21.080 --> 00:38:21.920 his church for 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.600 his glory. 00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:23.820 And now I 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.700 want to end 00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:25.280 by answering 00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:25.960 the question, 00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.000 so what? 00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:28.559 What does 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.019 this truth 00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.740 mean for my 00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.160 life? 00:38:31.160 --> 00:38:31.840 Well, for 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.640 all believers, 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.120 it means what 00:38:34.120 --> 00:38:34.960 Hebrews 10 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:36.220 verses 24 00:38:36.220 --> 00:38:36.820 through 25 00:38:36.820 --> 00:38:37.300 says. 00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:38.720 It says, 00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:39.620 and let us 00:38:39.620 --> 00:38:40.519 consider how 00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:41.160 to stir up 00:38:41.160 --> 00:38:41.700 one another 00:38:41.700 --> 00:38:43.060 to love 00:38:43.060 --> 00:38:43.640 and good 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:44.120 works, 00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:45.500 not neglecting 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:45.940 to meet 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.820 together as 00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:47.400 is the habit 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:47.980 of some, 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.320 but encouraging 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:49.960 one another 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.700 and all the 00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:52.120 more as you 00:38:52.120 --> 00:38:52.860 see the day 00:38:52.860 --> 00:38:53.740 drawing near. 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.460 Christians, 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.940 do you want 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:57.840 to live not 00:38:57.840 --> 00:38:58.519 a perfect 00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:58.960 life, 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:00.480 but a faithful 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.160 one unto 00:39:01.160 --> 00:39:01.620 the Lord? 00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.220 Don't neglect 00:39:03.220 --> 00:39:03.820 to gather 00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:05.140 with the saints. 00:39:06.100 --> 00:39:07.060 Be a member 00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:08.139 of a local 00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:10.099 gospel preaching 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:11.679 church and 00:39:11.679 --> 00:39:12.679 commit yourself 00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:13.639 to that church 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:15.019 through thick 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.820 and thin. 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:17.739 And I've 00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.559 seen the trend 00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:19.380 too often. 00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:21.239 People stop 00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:21.960 spending time 00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.559 in the word 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.000 of God. 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.840 Then they stop 00:39:24.840 --> 00:39:25.539 spending time 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.860 with the people 00:39:26.860 --> 00:39:27.380 of God. 00:39:28.340 --> 00:39:29.039 And they stop 00:39:29.039 --> 00:39:29.559 believing that 00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:30.219 there is a God. 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.579 Don't 00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:33.539 neglect 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:35.320 the word 00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:35.759 of God 00:39:35.759 --> 00:39:36.519 and to gather 00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:38.159 with the 00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:38.579 church. 00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:40.400 For the 00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:40.840 church is 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:41.219 God's 00:39:41.219 --> 00:39:41.619 instrument 00:39:41.619 --> 00:39:42.119 to make 00:39:42.119 --> 00:39:42.599 his name 00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:43.000 known 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.880 in all 00:39:43.880 --> 00:39:44.340 the earth. 00:39:45.259 --> 00:39:45.639 And if 00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:46.139 you're a 00:39:46.139 --> 00:39:46.460 teen, 00:39:46.559 --> 00:39:47.000 a young 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.320 adult, 00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:47.679 or a 00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.139 kid here, 00:39:49.259 --> 00:39:50.019 many of 00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:50.420 you go to 00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:50.900 church right 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:52.259 now because 00:39:52.259 --> 00:39:53.079 your mommy 00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:53.539 and daddy 00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.059 make you. 00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:56.519 And guess 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:56.659 what? 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:57.119 That's a good 00:39:57.119 --> 00:39:57.380 thing. 00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:58.960 However, 00:39:59.119 --> 00:39:59.480 there will 00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.239 come a day 00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:01.239 where the 00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:02.079 choice will 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:02.719 be yours. 00:40:02.719 --> 00:40:04.379 And on 00:40:04.379 --> 00:40:04.679 that day, 00:40:04.779 --> 00:40:05.079 what will 00:40:05.079 --> 00:40:05.599 you choose? 00:40:07.339 --> 00:40:08.000 My prayer 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.419 is that you 00:40:08.419 --> 00:40:08.899 will choose 00:40:08.899 --> 00:40:09.679 to go to 00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:11.099 a good, 00:40:11.279 --> 00:40:11.919 healthy church 00:40:11.919 --> 00:40:13.039 whenever you 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:13.359 can. 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:16.919 Yes, 00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:17.659 this means 00:40:17.659 --> 00:40:18.439 that as you 00:40:18.439 --> 00:40:18.939 get older 00:40:18.939 --> 00:40:19.339 and you're 00:40:19.339 --> 00:40:19.799 in college, 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.819 maybe you 00:40:20.819 --> 00:40:21.179 will miss 00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:21.579 out on a 00:40:21.579 --> 00:40:21.799 lot of 00:40:21.799 --> 00:40:22.519 events or 00:40:22.519 --> 00:40:23.319 games or 00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:23.879 you'll have 00:40:23.879 --> 00:40:24.339 less time 00:40:24.339 --> 00:40:24.639 for your 00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.119 exams, 00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:25.579 you'll be 00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:26.959 more tired. 00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:28.940 But I 00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:29.579 promise you 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.240 it is 00:40:30.240 --> 00:40:31.240 worth it. 00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:33.599 Becoming a 00:40:33.599 --> 00:40:34.099 member of a 00:40:34.099 --> 00:40:34.579 local church 00:40:34.579 --> 00:40:35.019 was the 00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:35.659 best thing 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:36.139 I ever 00:40:36.139 --> 00:40:36.480 did in 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:36.880 college. 00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:37.780 If I 00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:38.079 could go 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:38.380 back, 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:38.820 I would 00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:39.059 do it 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:39.340 again. 00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:40.659 I would 00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:41.079 just probably 00:40:41.079 --> 00:40:41.400 care a 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:41.780 little less 00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:42.159 about my 00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:43.900 grades so 00:40:43.900 --> 00:40:44.179 I could 00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.440 have more 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:45.820 time with 00:40:45.820 --> 00:40:46.220 the church. 00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:48.659 Let being 00:40:48.659 --> 00:40:50.000 a member 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.679 of a gospel 00:40:50.679 --> 00:40:51.000 preaching 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:51.920 church drive 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.420 the future 00:40:52.420 --> 00:40:53.139 decisions that 00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:53.619 you make. 00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.599 If you get 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.300 accepted to 00:40:55.300 --> 00:40:55.820 an excellent 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.400 university, 00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:56.920 but there are 00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:57.619 no gospel 00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:58.320 centered local 00:40:58.320 --> 00:40:58.920 churches there, 00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:00.240 I beg you 00:41:00.240 --> 00:41:01.260 don't go. 00:41:02.800 --> 00:41:03.440 Go to the 00:41:03.440 --> 00:41:03.920 lesser known 00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:04.800 university where 00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:05.539 you know there 00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.139 is a great 00:41:06.139 --> 00:41:06.840 gospel preaching 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.800 church that 00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:08.860 will care for 00:41:08.860 --> 00:41:09.440 your soul. 00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:10.780 Remember the 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:11.659 words of Mark 00:41:11.659 --> 00:41:13.099 chapter 8 00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:13.980 verses 36 00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:14.740 which says, 00:41:15.159 --> 00:41:15.460 for what does 00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:16.079 it profit a 00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:16.619 man to gain 00:41:16.619 --> 00:41:17.260 the whole world 00:41:17.260 --> 00:41:17.940 and forfeit 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:18.480 his soul? 00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:20.460 And everyone, 00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:21.780 I want you to 00:41:21.780 --> 00:41:22.900 remember that 00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:23.599 when a wolf 00:41:23.599 --> 00:41:24.920 attacks a 00:41:24.920 --> 00:41:25.220 sheep, 00:41:25.599 --> 00:41:26.079 what does it 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:26.519 try to do? 00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:29.219 Well, it 00:41:29.219 --> 00:41:29.679 tries to 00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:30.719 isolate the 00:41:30.719 --> 00:41:30.980 sheep. 00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.500 It tries to 00:41:32.500 --> 00:41:32.820 get them 00:41:32.820 --> 00:41:33.380 away from 00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:34.219 the flock 00:41:34.219 --> 00:41:35.139 for when the 00:41:35.139 --> 00:41:35.480 sheep are 00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:36.500 together by 00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:37.059 the shepherd, 00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:38.179 there is 00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:39.460 much safety. 00:41:40.699 --> 00:41:41.259 There's a 00:41:41.259 --> 00:41:41.759 level of 00:41:41.759 --> 00:41:42.539 protection in 00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.480 their togetherness. 00:41:44.239 --> 00:41:45.519 If you try 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:45.960 to walk 00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:46.460 through life 00:41:46.460 --> 00:41:47.159 without being 00:41:47.159 --> 00:41:47.960 connected to 00:41:47.960 --> 00:41:48.539 a local 00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:48.980 church, 00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:50.219 I want you 00:41:50.219 --> 00:41:50.739 to know that 00:41:50.739 --> 00:41:51.059 the wolves 00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:51.539 are waiting. 00:41:52.619 --> 00:41:53.219 They would 00:41:53.219 --> 00:41:53.900 love nothing 00:41:53.900 --> 00:41:54.559 more than to 00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.000 see you 00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:56.019 separated from 00:41:56.019 --> 00:41:56.820 the flock. 00:41:58.259 --> 00:41:58.900 And a 00:41:58.900 --> 00:41:59.159 warning, 00:41:59.340 --> 00:42:00.039 if you are 00:42:00.039 --> 00:42:00.920 already a 00:42:00.920 --> 00:42:01.679 part of 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:02.299 a local 00:42:02.299 --> 00:42:02.820 church 00:42:02.820 --> 00:42:04.900 or 00:42:04.900 --> 00:42:05.340 considering 00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:05.739 joining, 00:42:06.440 --> 00:42:07.019 you know 00:42:07.019 --> 00:42:07.199 what? 00:42:07.259 --> 00:42:07.539 The wolves 00:42:07.539 --> 00:42:07.799 would be 00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:08.279 fine if 00:42:08.279 --> 00:42:08.759 you join, 00:42:09.759 --> 00:42:10.599 but never 00:42:10.599 --> 00:42:11.320 truly open 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:11.860 yourself up 00:42:11.860 --> 00:42:12.119 to that 00:42:12.119 --> 00:42:12.440 church. 00:42:14.019 --> 00:42:14.599 Never 00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:16.480 truly let 00:42:16.480 --> 00:42:17.079 anyone else 00:42:17.079 --> 00:42:17.759 know your 00:42:17.759 --> 00:42:18.340 sin, your 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:18.779 weaknesses, 00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:19.759 your failings, 00:42:19.760 --> 00:42:20.760 even your 00:42:20.760 --> 00:42:21.180 strengths. 00:42:23.060 --> 00:42:23.680 Then be 00:42:23.680 --> 00:42:24.080 fine, just 00:42:24.080 --> 00:42:24.480 don't open 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:24.740 up. 00:42:26.420 --> 00:42:27.040 It's a 00:42:27.040 --> 00:42:27.640 different form 00:42:27.640 --> 00:42:28.340 of isolation. 00:42:29.380 --> 00:42:29.820 If you do 00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:30.220 that, you 00:42:30.220 --> 00:42:30.800 are still in 00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:31.140 danger. 00:42:32.280 --> 00:42:32.700 Get to 00:42:32.700 --> 00:42:33.420 know others 00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:34.700 and be 00:42:34.700 --> 00:42:35.020 known. 00:42:35.940 --> 00:42:36.400 No one's 00:42:36.400 --> 00:42:37.800 perfect, so 00:42:37.800 --> 00:42:38.460 stop pretending. 00:42:40.100 --> 00:42:40.780 So in 00:42:40.780 --> 00:42:41.940 summary, as 00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:42.500 we've seen 00:42:42.500 --> 00:42:43.080 through the 00:42:43.080 --> 00:42:43.720 text today, 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:44.940 God is 00:42:44.940 --> 00:42:45.480 building his 00:42:45.480 --> 00:42:46.060 church through 00:42:46.060 --> 00:42:46.780 his church for 00:42:46.780 --> 00:42:47.320 his glory. 00:42:47.900 --> 00:42:48.280 And may we 00:42:48.280 --> 00:42:49.260 all be used 00:42:49.260 --> 00:42:49.820 by our 00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:50.720 great God 00:42:50.720 --> 00:42:51.240 to spread 00:42:51.240 --> 00:42:51.880 his glory, 00:42:52.180 --> 00:42:52.920 not only here 00:42:52.920 --> 00:42:53.480 in this city, 00:42:53.620 --> 00:42:54.140 not only in 00:42:54.140 --> 00:42:54.680 our state, 00:42:55.080 --> 00:42:55.600 not only in 00:42:55.600 --> 00:42:56.080 this country, 00:42:56.200 --> 00:42:56.600 but to the 00:42:56.600 --> 00:42:57.540 ends of the 00:42:57.540 --> 00:42:58.420 earth for 00:42:58.420 --> 00:42:59.320 the sake of 00:42:59.320 --> 00:43:00.220 his glory as 00:43:00.220 --> 00:43:01.100 he redeems 00:43:01.100 --> 00:43:02.280 and cherishes 00:43:02.280 --> 00:43:03.180 his bride. 00:43:04.019 --> 00:43:04.600 And may we 00:43:04.600 --> 00:43:05.680 never forget 00:43:05.680 --> 00:43:06.840 the privilege 00:43:06.840 --> 00:43:07.460 and blessing 00:43:07.460 --> 00:43:08.540 it is to 00:43:08.540 --> 00:43:09.320 be a part 00:43:09.320 --> 00:43:10.100 of his 00:43:10.100 --> 00:43:10.540 church. 00:43:11.060 --> 00:43:11.500 Let's pray.