WEBVTT

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 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to the book of Acts, chapter 13.

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 Acts, chapter 13. It's good to be back with you today.

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 If you were here with us last Sunday, you know that I had a bit of a stomach flu and was out.

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 Or maybe you didn't know I had a stomach flu, but I had a stomach flu and was out.

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 And it's good to be with you, both not to be doing what I was doing last Sunday morning,

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 and to be here to open God's Word and to consider its truth to us this morning.

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 Our text for today is Acts 13, verses 4 through 12.

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 But there are a few things I think need to be noted from the beginning of Acts 13,

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 and so we're going to look at and read together verses 1 through 12.

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 And we've come to a fairly pivotal place in the book of Acts,

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 transitioning from the gospel being proclaimed primarily in Jerusalem,

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 and it moving outward from this place.

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 The story is going, its main character being Peter is kind of setting,

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 and its main character being Paul is rising.

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 And it's where we find ourselves in a couple of chapters here,

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 this action that's taking place.

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 And at the beginning of chapter 13, into verse 4,

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 we see Barnabas and Paul commissioned for the very first missionary journey.

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 And so we read, beginning in verse 1,

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 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers,

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 Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,

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 Lucius of Cyrene,

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 Menaion, a lifelong friend of Herod the Tetrarch,

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 and Saul.

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 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting,

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 the Holy Spirit said,

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 Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

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 Then after fasting and praying,

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 they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

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 So being sent out by the Holy Spirit,

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 they went down to Seleucia,

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 and from there sailed to Cyprus.

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 When they arrived at Salamis,

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 they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews,

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 and they had John to assist them.

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 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos,

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 they came upon a certain magician,

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 a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

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 He was with the proconsul,

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 Sergius Paulus,

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 a man of intelligence,

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 who summoned Barnabas and Saul

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 and sought to hear the word of God.

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 But Elimas the magician,

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 for that is the meaning of his name,

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 opposed them,

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 seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

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 But Saul,

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 who was also called Paul,

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 filled with the Holy Spirit,

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 looked intently at him and said,

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 You son of the devil,

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 you enemy of all righteousness,

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 full of all deceit and villainy,

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 will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

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 And now behold,

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 the hand of the Lord is upon you,

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 and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.

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 Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him,

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 and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.

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 Then the proconsul believed,

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 when he saw what had occurred,

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 for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

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 Beloved, this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for his glory and for our good.

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 We would all do well to listen to it

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 in order to believe its promises

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 and obey its commands.

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 Now before we get into the story itself,

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 let's get to the stage just a little bit.

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 And maybe you're not like me,

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 but I'm a very visual learner,

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 and so I like to understand where they are

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 and where they're traveling from

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 and where they're traveling to.

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 So we'll see if we can pull this off

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 and get a map up on the screen for you there.

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 I did do that for my iPad, if you're wondering,

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 which is pretty amazing.

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 So they are currently in Antioch, right?

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 We see the church forming at the end of chapter 11 in Antioch.

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 The gospel has gone forward because of a dispersion,

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 because of the persecution that's arisen in Jerusalem.

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 So the gospel has gone out.

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 People have gone about gossiping the word of God.

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 We see at the last part of chapter 11

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 that primarily the gospel is being preached to Jews.

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 But here in chapter 11,

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 we see that some disciples begin to preach the gospel to Gentiles,

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 and this church in Antioch is formed.

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 Now Antioch is about 300 miles north of Jerusalem.

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 Now you can see it way over on the far right-hand side of the screen there.

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 Yes, I'm doing that for my iPad.

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 Isn't that fun?

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 So they're in Antioch, the church in Antioch.

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 You recall that Barnabas, needing some help,

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 went and found Paul, brought Paul with him,

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 and they remained in Antioch,

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 and they're teaching in Antioch right at the end of chapter 11.

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 So they travel from Antioch to Seleucia,

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 about 16 miles, right?

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 And go down from Antioch to Seleucia,

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 to the coast about 16 miles,

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 and they sail to Salamis on the island of Cyprus.

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 Now Cyprus is where Barnabas is from.

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 We find that out in Acts 4, verse 36.

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 Barnabas' name is Joseph,

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 but he's also called Barnabas the son of encouragement by the church.

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 And so Paul and Barnabas are commissioned to go back to Barnabas' hometown.

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 They land on Salamis about 130 miles from Seleucia to Salamis,

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 this journey in the Mediterranean.

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 They land on Salamis,

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 and they travel all over the island of Cyprus,

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 what the text tells us.

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 So they go all about the island of Cyprus.

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 Exactly what that looks like, I don't know,

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 but it's definitely not a straight arrow from Salamis to Paphos, right?

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 They're traveling all about the island of Cyprus

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 until they arrive at Paphos.

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 Paphos is the capital of Cyprus,

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 and there we see in our text that the gospel is preached to the proconsul,

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 which would have been like the governor,

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 the Roman appointed governor of the island of Cyprus.

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 So he's the ruler of Cyprus,

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 and he's located in this coastal city of Paphos.

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 Now Cyprus in this day was an incredibly corrupt place.

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 It was a vile place,

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 and this is a common theme in the history of the world.

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 Places that the gospel goes or places that need the gospel.

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 It was the place in Paphos,

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 the temple for the worship of Venus existed there.

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 The Roman Greek god of love was here.

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 Lots of temple worship,

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 prostitutes,

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 a vile, vile place

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 where they go for this very first time

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 in their missionary journey

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 to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 Now, there is so much that can be said of this morning's text.

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 But I want to set our minds on just one thing this morning,

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 which we'll consider with three supporting points.

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 But just one primary thing that we need to consider

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 in order to warm our hearts this morning.

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 Note from Luke's account of Barnabas and Saul

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 on the island of Cyprus,

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 God's pursuit of his praise.

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 This is the thing.

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 This is what I want to focus our attention on this morning from our text.

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 God's pursuit of God's praise.

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 Now, this runs thematically all throughout the Scripture.

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 In fact, we could spend weeks upon weeks

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 showing you systematically

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 that God is zealous for his own glory,

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 for his own worship,

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 for people to pay attention to him,

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 to know him and know him for who he is

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 and exalt him for who he is.

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 This is what it means for him to seek his praise.

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 And for us as humans,

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 I think very readily we can say,

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 but isn't it wrong to be self-centered?

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 And as humans, absolutely yes.

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 But you are not God.

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 It is right and proper that God seeks his own praise.

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 God is the most glorious,

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 the most wonderful thing that we could possibly possess.

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 And if God were to say,

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 no, no, don't look at me.

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 Pay attention to the creation around you.

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 If he were to veil himself as the creator,

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 it would be unloving toward us.

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 It would be ungracious toward us.

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 We need to behold God.

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 So he is zealous for his own praise.

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 In 1 Peter 2, verse 9,

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 Peter writes to those who are the elect exiles

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 of the dispersion,

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 going out of the gospel of Christ

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 because of persecution,

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 in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,

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 and Bithynia, verse 9,

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 he writes,

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 You are a chosen race,

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 a royal priesthood,

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 a holy nation,

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 a people for his own possession.

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 So you are a people set apart, right?

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 For what purpose?

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 Verse 9 tells us

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 that you may proclaim

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 the excellencies of him

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 who called you out of darkness

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 into his marvelous light.

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 Because of the reality,

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 the saving grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

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 you have been set apart

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 that you might proclaim

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 the excellencies of him

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 who saved you in this way.

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 It is the work of the church

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 of Jesus Christ

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 to make God known.

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 One Old Testament reference

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 in Ezekiel 36, verses 22 and 23.

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 God tells Israel

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 that the reason that he will deliver them

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 from captivity,

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 from their exile in Babylon

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 and later Persia,

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 is for the sake of the praise of his name.

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 Listen to the language very carefully

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 what he says.

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 God speaks to Israel

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 through the prophet Ezekiel.

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 Therefore, say to the house of Israel,

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 Thus says the Lord God,

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 It is not for your sake,

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 O house of Israel,

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 that I am about to act,

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 but for the sake of my holy name.

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 So I'm going to bring you back from exile.

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 I'm going to deliver you from captivity.

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 But it's really not for your sake.

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 It's for my sake.

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 It's for the sake of my holy name,

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 which you have profaned

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 among the nations to which you came.

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 And I will vindicate the holiness

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 of my great name,

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 which has been profaned among the nations,

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 and which you have profaned among them.

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 And the nations will know

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 that I am the Lord,

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 declares the Lord God,

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 when through you

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 I vindicate my holiness

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 before their eyes.

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 Because of my goodness to you,

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 my name will be made known.

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 So God pursues His own praise.

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 He is zealous for it.

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 And we see that in our text, right?

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 Well, the focus can often be

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 simply about Paul and Barnabas

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 and their helper,

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 John Mark, we see in verse 5.

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 But Paul and Barnabas in verse 4

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 are sent out by whom?

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 God.

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 By the work of the Holy Spirit.

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 In verse 9,

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 we see Paul with this scathing indictment

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 of Elimus the magician.

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 He's filled with whom?

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 The Holy Spirit.

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 Verse 11,

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 he tells Elimus

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 that the hand of the Lord

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 is upon him.

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 Right?

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 And God blinds Elimus.

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 The point is

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 that it's ultimately

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 and it's finally

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 God's pursuit.

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 It is His purpose in the world.

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 It is His ministry

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 that He would be known

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 and worshipped.

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 So as we set our minds

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 on the glorious reality,

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 that God is zealous for His praise,

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 we'll do so with three points

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 concerning God's pursuit.

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 Number one,

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 and I'll run back through these,

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 but number one,

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 the beneficiaries

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 of God's pursuit

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 of His praise.

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 Number two,

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 the means of God's pursuit

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 of His praise.

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 And number three,

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 the persistence

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 of God's pursuit

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 of His praise.

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 So number one,

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 the beneficiaries

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 of God's pursuit

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 of His praise.

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 Beloved,

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 the gospel is not

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 man-centered.

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 It is altogether

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 God-centered.

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 But aren't we

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 the great beneficiaries

00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.980
 of that pursuit?

00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:45.320
 Isn't it wonderful

00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.220
 that as God calls

00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.560
 attention to Himself,

00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.060
 He does so

00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:49.899
 by the redemption

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.279
 of a people.

00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:54.480
 And we are those people.

00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:56.120
 How wonderful

00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.300
 that we get to be

00:12:57.300 --> 00:13:00.399
 the wonderful side product

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.620
 of what God is doing

00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:03.379
 to make His name known.

00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:04.620
 So the beneficiaries,

00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.460
 namely,

00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.019
 the church.

00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:08.700
 Paul,

00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.200
 Barnabas,

00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:11.700
 and John Mark

00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.240
 as a helper

00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.940
 are sent to carry

00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:15.220
 the Word of God

00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.440
 to whom?

00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:17.539
 To the people

00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:18.799
 of God.

00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.659
 They go to an island

00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.100
 called Cyprus

00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:23.720
 to call together

00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.700
 God's people

00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:26.000
 for the praise

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.340
 of His name.

00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:29.720
 Can we know

00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:31.300
 from this text

00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.100
 that the Cyprus

00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.639
 and that is the

00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.560
 correct use,

00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.160
 I looked it up,

00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.180
 responded favorably

00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:37.899
 to the proclamation

00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.620
 of the gospel?

00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.220
 Can we know

00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:40.840
 that the Cyprus

00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.879
 responded favorably

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.480
 to the proclamation

00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:42.920
 of the gospel?

00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:44.179
 We know one did

00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:44.579
 for sure

00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:45.120
 from our text

00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:45.579
 this morning,

00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.039
 the proconsul.

00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.360
 We know for a fact

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.000
 that he did.

00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:49.399
 In fact,

00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.719
 Sergius Paulus

00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:51.679
 believed.

00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:53.319
 He was astonished

00:13:53.319 --> 00:13:54.259
 at the teaching

00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.419
 of the Lord.

00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:57.039
 But can we know

00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:57.620
 from the text?

00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.159
 We can't.

00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.539
 But there is a place

00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.699
 that we can know from.

00:14:00.979 --> 00:14:01.699
 So turn a couple pages

00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:03.299
 over to Acts chapter 15.

00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:16.679
 We don't know the number,

00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:17.679
 but we can know

00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.259
 that there was

00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:19.419
 a favorable response

00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:19.799
 to the gospel

00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.679
 because of this passage.

00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.879
 Beginning in verse 36,

00:14:21.979 --> 00:14:22.579
 Acts 15,

00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:25.259
 verse 36.

00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:27.479
 And after some days,

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:29.120
 Paul said to Barnabas,

00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:31.120
 Let us return

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.479
 and visit the brothers

00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.720
 in every city

00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.860
 where we proclaim

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.680
 the word of the Lord

00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.960
 and see how they are.

00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.580
 So there's the premise.

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.779
 We need to go on a journey.

00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.920
 We need to go back

00:14:40.920 --> 00:14:42.340
 and visit those

00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.180
 who believed

00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:44.100
 in the cities.

00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.259
 Let's see how they're doing.

00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:46.200
 Let's go back around

00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:47.659
 and let's visit.

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:48.960
 Now,

00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.860
 Barnabas agrees.

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.560
 We don't see that

00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:51.399
 in Luke's record,

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.159
 but he says,

00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.879
 verse 37,

00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.060
 Now Barnabas

00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.639
 wanted to take with them,

00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.159
 so he agrees,

00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:56.759
 let's go,

00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.840
 John called Mark.

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.639
 Verse 38,

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.080
 But Paul thought best

00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.039
 not to take with them

00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:04.819
 one who had withdrawn

00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:06.279
 from them in Pamphylia

00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.819
 and had not gone with them

00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:09.139
 to the work.

00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:09.279
 Now,

00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:10.419
 just to give you some frame,

00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.240
 we're going to talk about this

00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.019
 in some coming weeks,

00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:13.720
 but John Mark,

00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:15.299
 after they left the island,

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.759
 he got scared

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.419
 and he turned around

00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:18.819
 and he ran.

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.220
 He went back to Jerusalem.

00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.480
 So Paul and Barnabas

00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.639
 get in a fight over this,

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:22.840
 right?

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.899
 Paul doesn't want to take

00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:24.799
 John Mark,

00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:25.480
 the coward,

00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.000
 with him,

00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:26.819
 and Barnabas,

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.480
 who's his cousin,

00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:28.600
 still wants to take.

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.299
 He's ready to give him

00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:29.939
 a second chance

00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.899
 at this point.

00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:31.679
 This is this division

00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.319
 that happens.

00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.659
 Acts 13,

00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:34.799
 13 records this.

00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:35.979
 Now Paul and his companions

00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:37.259
 set sail from Paphos

00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.199
 and came to Perga

00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:39.159
 in Pamphylia,

00:15:39.359 --> 00:15:40.879
 and John left them

00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.659
 and returned

00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.859
 to Jerusalem.

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:43.779
 Right?

00:15:44.459 --> 00:15:46.359
 Verse 39 of Acts 15,

00:15:46.479 --> 00:15:47.039
 And there arose

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.859
 a sharp disagreement

00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:48.740
 that they separated

00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.379
 from each other.

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.159
 Barnabas took Mark,

00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.099
 this is John Mark,

00:15:52.219 --> 00:15:53.259
 Barnabas took Mark

00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.339
 with him

00:15:54.339 --> 00:15:55.099
 and sailed away

00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:55.659
 to where?

00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:57.120
 to Cyprus.

00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.600
 But Paul chose Silas

00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.039
 and departed,

00:15:59.159 --> 00:15:59.679
 having been commended

00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.179
 by the brothers

00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.219
 to the grace of the Lord,

00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.500
 and he went through Syria

00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.179
 and Cilicia,

00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.419
 strengthening the churches.

00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:04.659
 Okay?

00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:06.059
 So they go separate ways,

00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.379
 but the very premise

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.120
 of what they're going

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.699
 to go do,

00:16:08.839 --> 00:16:09.039
 right?

00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:09.980
 They've agreed together,

00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:11.079
 we need to go back

00:16:11.079 --> 00:16:11.879
 to the cities

00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.139
 where we preach the gospel

00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.179
 and people responded

00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:14.740
 to the gospel,

00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:16.059
 and let's see how they're doing.

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.399
 They go separate ways.

00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.139
 Barnabas goes back

00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.059
 to Cyprus.

00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.439
 Not home to lounge,

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.620
 but to check on the brothers

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.639
 to see how,

00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.059
 in fact,

00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.539
 they're doing.

00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:26.219
 So people did respond favorably

00:16:26.219 --> 00:16:26.860
 as they've traveled

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.659
 throughout the island

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:29.360
 to the grace of God

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.219
 in the gospel

00:16:30.219 --> 00:16:31.599
 of Jesus Christ.

00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.179
 Right?

00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.860
 And this is

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:36.699
 the wonderful reality

00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.539
 of God's pursuit

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.199
 of his own praise,

00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.099
 that there are beneficiaries

00:16:39.099 --> 00:16:41.599
 of that pursuit,

00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:42.480
 namely,

00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.500
 the church.

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:43.939
 So we can see

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.439
 the beneficiaries

00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.959
 of God's pursuit

00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:47.019
 of his praise

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:48.259
 in our text this morning.

00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.139
 Secondly,

00:16:51.079 --> 00:16:52.779
 let's look at the means

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.939
 of God's pursuit

00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:54.600
 of his praise.

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.180
 God is pursuing

00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:56.820
 his praise.

00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:58.200
 How does he do it?

00:16:59.060 --> 00:16:59.840
 How does he do it?

00:17:01.020 --> 00:17:01.540
 First,

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.260
 with his people.

00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:06.000
 God pursues

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.820
 his praise

00:17:06.820 --> 00:17:09.039
 with his people.

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.420
 God uses his people

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.380
 to proclaim

00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.620
 the gospel message

00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:15.920
 to his people.

00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.420
 Verse 4,

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.300
 So being sent out

00:17:18.300 --> 00:17:18.960
 by the Holy Spirit,

00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:19.720
 they went,

00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.700
 verse 5,

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.740
 and proclaimed

00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.960
 the word

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.340
 of God.

00:17:25.320 --> 00:17:25.600
 Now,

00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.500
 I think it's important,

00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.340
 I think it's helpful

00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.519
 to note

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.220
 the timeline here

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.720
 of the early church.

00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.740
 The year

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.060
 that Barnabas

00:17:35.060 --> 00:17:36.200
 and Saul

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.320
 slash Paul

00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.740
 are sent to Cyprus

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.779
 is A.D. 47.

00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.980
 And we can know that

00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.060
 because of the death

00:17:44.060 --> 00:17:45.120
 of Herod in chapter 12.

00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:47.159
 This is a historical fact

00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.659
 that we know.

00:17:47.919 --> 00:17:49.119
 So it's A.D. 47.

00:17:49.479 --> 00:17:49.619
 Now,

00:17:49.699 --> 00:17:50.919
 exactly the time frame

00:17:50.919 --> 00:17:52.199
 since the resurrection

00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:52.839
 of Christ,

00:17:52.979 --> 00:17:54.259
 we can't be completely

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.119
 sure of.

00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:56.099
 There's much debate

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.039
 out there about it.

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.099
 The range would be

00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.559
 between 14

00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:01.239
 and 20 years.

00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.819
 I think that's what

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.199
 you've got to wrap

00:18:03.199 --> 00:18:03.739
 your mind around

00:18:03.739 --> 00:18:04.259
 is that it's been

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.000
 some time

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.839
 since Acts chapter 1

00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.119
 to Acts chapter 13.

00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.139
 We didn't just speed

00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:10.000
 through six months.

00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.659
 It's been quite an

00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.819
 expanse of time,

00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.399
 the building of the church

00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.619
 in this region

00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:17.139
 and then beyond.

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:19.039
 Between 14

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.819
 and 20 years,

00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.000
 there's a lot of debate

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.720
 about when Jesus died.

00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.279
 It ranges from

00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.419
 A.D. 27

00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.779
 to A.D. 33.

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.339
 Now,

00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:29.939
 I'm going to argue

00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:31.339
 for 14 years,

00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.240
 but I'm not going

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:32.799
 to this morning.

00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:34.000
 I'm going to suggest

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.099
 that Jesus was crucified

00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:36.539
 in A.D. 33,

00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.819
 but it doesn't really matter

00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.579
 this morning

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.179
 or maybe at all.

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:42.080
 the point being

00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:43.480
 that a big bunch

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.000
 of time

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:46.039
 has gone by.

00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.920
 The church in Antioch

00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.840
 has existed

00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:50.100
 for at least

00:18:50.100 --> 00:18:50.759
 a year.

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:51.920
 There's been

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.500
 a period of time

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.560
 that they have been,

00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:56.519
 Barnabas and Saul

00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.400
 have been with them.

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.560
 Remember Barnabas

00:18:58.560 --> 00:18:59.460
 and Saul in chapter 12

00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.200
 are sent back

00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.820
 to Jerusalem

00:19:00.820 --> 00:19:02.160
 and the picture

00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:02.980
 in Luke's narrative

00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.000
 jumps back

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.299
 to Jerusalem as well.

00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.380
 So they've been there

00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.380
 and they've now returned

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:09.180
 back to Antioch.

00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.779
 And notice

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.299
 what they're doing

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.160
 in the meantime.

00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:15.200
 So not yet commissioned.

00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.900
 Saul has been in Tarsus.

00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.240
 Barnabas goes and gets them.

00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:20.120
 They go to the church

00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.720
 in Antioch.

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.740
 They remain with them.

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.900
 They're teaching them.

00:19:23.060 --> 00:19:23.799
 They take this trip

00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.380
 to Jerusalem

00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.220
 to deliver some

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.400
 financial support there.

00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:28.060
 They're back in Antioch.

00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:29.000
 And what are they doing

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.600
 in verse 2?

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.799
 They're worshiping

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.700
 the Lord

00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:34.140
 and they're fasting.

00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:36.220
 They're gathered together

00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.299
 as the church

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.140
 in fellowship

00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.100
 together.

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.299
 They're about the work

00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.840
 of Christian ministry

00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:45.259
 where they are.

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.480
 And while they're doing this

00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:50.019
 the Holy Spirit says

00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.019
 they're together

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.620
 remember

00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.860
 set apart for me

00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.340
 Barnabas

00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:54.279
 and Saul

00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.259
 for the work

00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.720
 to which

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.000
 I have called them.

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.440
 So there is a calling.

00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.360
 In this case

00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.620
 it's an audible calling.

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.180
 The Spirit speaks to them.

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.080
 We don't know exactly

00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:04.060
 how He does so.

00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.639
 but Luke records it

00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:07.079
 as audible

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.799
 speaking to them.

00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.059
 I want you to see

00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.179
 that Paul

00:20:12.179 --> 00:20:13.240
 and Barnabas

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.440
 did not have

00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.619
 individual experiences.

00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:18.019
 They didn't come off

00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.419
 a hill

00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:20.440
 and report to the church

00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.480
 we feel called

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.240
 to missions.

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.440
 The church is together

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:28.039
 and they confirm

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.820
 together

00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:30.240
 that the Spirit of God

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.900
 commissioned

00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.820
 Paul and Barnabas

00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:33.059
 to go to the island

00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.340
 of Cyprus.

00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.980
 What do they do?

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.480
 Verse 3

00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.620
 they continue fasting

00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:39.299
 and they pray

00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.799
 and they lay their hands

00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.240
 on them

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.599
 and they send them off.

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.059
 They're sent out

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:47.779
 by the local church.

00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:52.140
 It grieves me today

00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.819
 that there's so much

00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.460
 personal experience

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.940
 in Christianity.

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.900
 There's so much

00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.160
 feeling called

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.460
 to a particular thing

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.880
 without any examination.

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.539
 There are so many

00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.259
 young people

00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.759
 who want to do

00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.579
 world missions

00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.519
 who don't do

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.339
 mission at home.

00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:11.079
 You're not reaching

00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.819
 people here

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.960
 you will not reach

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.980
 people in China

00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.940
 or India

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.839
 or wherever.

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.400
 Because you know what?

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.819
 Stuff's harder over there.

00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.619
 You have to do

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.460
 laundry

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:23.099
 by hand.

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:26.079
 It's not all romantic.

00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.920
 You still have to go

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.759
 live your life

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.240
 and if you're not

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.279
 willing to pour it out

00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.240
 for the sake of Christ

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.279
 where you are

00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.240
 with your roommates

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.319
 and your co-workers

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.279
 and your classmates

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.539
 you won't do it.

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.200
 Abroad.

00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.920
 It starts

00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.140
 now

00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:41.000
 on your bulletin.

00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.700
 Before I read that

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:46.420
 I've heard a lot

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.500
 in churches

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:49.539
 that we all have

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.059
 a responsibility

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.660
 to mission.

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.960
 You're either to go

00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.940
 or you're to send.

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.660
 And I get the call.

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:57.220
 It's a foreign mission call.

00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:57.940
 I get that.

00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:58.799
 I get that.

00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.539
 But I don't like

00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.400
 the notion

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.799
 of labeling people

00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.339
 missionary

00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.259
 because it seems

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.819
 to suggest

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.480
 that everyone else

00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:05.980
 is not.

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.799
 I love this Spurgeon quote.

00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.980
 Every Christian here

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.579
 is either a missionary

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:12.439
 or an imposter.

00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:17.279
 God uses

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:17.939
 in the pursuit

00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.819
 of His praise

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.379
 His people.

00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:22.079
 And beloved,

00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:22.939
 if we are zealous

00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.759
 for the praise of God

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.599
 as He is,

00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.720
 as we should be

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.619
 because of His work

00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.099
 for us

00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:28.339
 in Christ,

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:30.579
 we should want to go.

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.419
 It should be

00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.740
 the driving passion

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:34.399
 of our lives

00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.759
 to make Him known,

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.379
 to have other people

00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.659
 experience

00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:39.699
 the goodness of God

00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:41.099
 in the personal work

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.859
 of Jesus Christ.

00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.179
 He uses His people.

00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.079
 He'll use you

00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:46.439
 if you'll avail yourself

00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.000
 to that.

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.699
 He also uses His Word.

00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.059
 What did Barnabas

00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.439
 and Paul

00:22:52.439 --> 00:22:53.199
 and John Mark do

00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:53.799
 when they arrived

00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.339
 on Cyprus?

00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:55.699
 They did not put on plays.

00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:58.799
 They didn't come up

00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.519
 with lots of clever analogy.

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.559
 They proclaimed

00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:04.819
 the Word of God.

00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.920
 They preached God

00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.720
 as good creator

00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.400
 and sustainer

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.019
 of the universe.

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.539
 They preached sin,

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.120
 death,

00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.980
 and eternal judgment.

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.600
 They preached the life,

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.279
 death,

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.240
 and resurrection

00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.819
 of Jesus Christ.

00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:19.279
 God's people

00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.140
 are saved

00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:20.900
 by hearing

00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:23.100
 the Word of God.

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:25.220
 And I don't simply mean

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.900
 reading the text.

00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.720
 Although I would

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.740
 strongly suggest

00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.860
 that that's a great place

00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.900
 to start.

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.220
 We can story

00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.240
 the Word of God too.

00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.380
 We can explain

00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.539
 the Word of God

00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:35.920
 to people.

00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.660
 We can tell

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:38.900
 this big, big, big story.

00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.559
 Some of you may have

00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.160
 come to faith

00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.660
 not by the actual text

00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.160
 being read,

00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.620
 but by somebody

00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.400
 telling you

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.500
 the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.319
 Just simply sharing

00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:45.720
 with you

00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:47.660
 that story.

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.299
 Provided it is

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.640
 founded in the truth,

00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.839
 it has

00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.380
 saving power.

00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:55.080
 So God's people

00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:55.580
 are saved

00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:56.400
 by hearing

00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.340
 the Word of God

00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.820
 and then by grace,

00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.720
 through faith,

00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:02.360
 in the personal work

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.280
 of Jesus Christ,

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.260
 they are snatched

00:24:04.260 --> 00:24:04.880
 from the clutches

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.360
 of sin and death

00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:07.300
 for the praise

00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.560
 of His name.

00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.360
 Just in passing,

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.600
 tomorrow,

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:15.800
 499 years ago,

00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.400
 the Protestant Reformation

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.900
 began

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.660
 in a place called

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.760
 Wittenberg, Germany.

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.720
 in order to

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.779
 recapture

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.559
 these truths

00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.940
 for the church.

00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.400
 They hadn't been lost,

00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.000
 but they were largely

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.319
 forgotten.

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.240
 I'd encourage you

00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.519
 tomorrow

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.500
 not to celebrate

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.839
 Halloween,

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.359
 but instead

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.779
 to celebrate

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.480
 Reformation Day.

00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.819
 All types of costumes

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.299
 abound

00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:40.740
 from

00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.900
 such a thing.

00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.900
 Five Latin phrases

00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.480
 emerged

00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.220
 from the Reformation

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.960
 to summarize

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.960
 its basic

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.059
 theological principles,

00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.640
 and these phrases

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.360
 are still useful

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:54.940
 to us.

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.940
 I don't use Latin

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.640
 to sound smart.

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.660
 I really want you

00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.140
 to know that.

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.339
 It's good

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.960
 to have

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.680
 phrasing in our mind

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.200
 that we wouldn't

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:04.759
 use normally,

00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:05.420
 I think,

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.480
 to help us remember

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.920
 deep theological

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.079
 truths.

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.299
 So I'm just going to

00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.940
 rattle them off to you.

00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.700
 You can look these up.

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.440
 The solas.

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.420
 Solas,

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:14.960
 Latin for

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.920
 alone,

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.079
 and you've got

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.900
 things that follow.

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.220
 So,

00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:20.140
 sola scriptura.

00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:22.060
 The Word of God

00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:22.640
 alone

00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.120
 tells us

00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.660
 that we are saved

00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:27.420
 sola gratia

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:29.120
 by grace alone,

00:25:30.040 --> 00:25:30.880
 sola fide

00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:32.759
 through faith alone,

00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:34.880
 solas Christus

00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.780
 in the person

00:25:35.780 --> 00:25:36.460
 and work

00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:38.080
 of Christ alone,

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.300
 sola

00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:40.040
 Deo

00:25:40.040 --> 00:25:40.519
 Gloria

00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.440
 to the glory

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.840
 of God

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.680
 alone.

00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:45.320
 The Wi-Fi password

00:25:45.320 --> 00:25:46.120
 is hidden amongst

00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:48.179
 those Latin phrases

00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:48.899
 if you want to get

00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:50.039
 on our Wi-Fi.

00:25:52.979 --> 00:25:53.859
 Sola scriptura.

00:25:53.979 --> 00:25:54.679
 Like the Word of God

00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:55.479
 alone tells us

00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:56.139
 that we are saved

00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:56.879
 by grace alone,

00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:57.959
 through faith alone,

00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.119
 in the personal work

00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:00.219
 of Jesus Christ alone,

00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.059
 to the glory

00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.000
 of God

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.739
 alone.

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.459
 Glorious,

00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.239
 glorious

00:26:04.239 --> 00:26:05.459
 truths.

00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:06.579
 Ephesians 2,

00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.219
 8 and 9,

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.959
 for by grace

00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.899
 you have been saved

00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:09.959
 through faith.

00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:10.959
 And this is not

00:26:10.959 --> 00:26:11.419
 your own doing,

00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:11.960
 it is the gift

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.420
 of God,

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.180
 not a result

00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.940
 of works

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.200
 that no one

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.660
 may boast.

00:26:17.320 --> 00:26:18.100
 Faith comes

00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.620
 from hearing

00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:19.100
 and hearing

00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:20.680
 from the Word

00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.180
 of God.

00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.860
 God births

00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:23.700
 in us faith.

00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:25.019
 There's nothing

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.039
 we can do

00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.600
 to earn

00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:27.259
 the favor

00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.980
 of God,

00:26:28.060 --> 00:26:28.860
 but praise

00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.400
 the Lord

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.220
 in Christ

00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.039
 He is pleased

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.440
 with us.

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.440
 Last week's

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.759
 bulletin

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.200
 I would have

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.860
 used,

00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.440
 I'm going to use it,

00:26:36.800 --> 00:26:37.440
 George Whitfield

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.140
 once said,

00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.039
 works,

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.359
 works,

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.460
 a man

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.099
 get to heaven

00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.859
 by works,

00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.819
 I would assume

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.639
 think of climbing

00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.519
 to the moon

00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.500
 on a rope

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.579
 of sand.

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.579
 Now some

00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.420
 in the proclamation

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.099
 of the gospel

00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.740
 will respond

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.940
 favorably to it.

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.019
 Sadly,

00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.079
 others will not.

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.240
 Favorably

00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.759
 in our text,

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.279
 the church

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.519
 referenced in Acts 15,

00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:01.819
 right,

00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.159
 that they're

00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:03.279
 proclaiming to here

00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:04.980
 in Acts 13,

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:05.519
 right,

00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.680
 the proconsul,

00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.279
 we see him

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.339
 respond favorably

00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.759
 to the gospel.

00:27:10.959 --> 00:27:11.439
 Now there's a

00:27:11.439 --> 00:27:12.679
 character in our text

00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:13.459
 that responds

00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:15.159
 unfavorably.

00:27:15.699 --> 00:27:16.299
 He's called

00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.399
 two names,

00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.220
 the first,

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.259
 Bar-Jesus,

00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:20.839
 and the second,

00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.259
 Elimus.

00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.699
 Now Bar-Jesus

00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.500
 simply means

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:26.199
 son of Joshua.

00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.859
 It's not that

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.259
 complex,

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.579
 in fact,

00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:29.599
 Jesus was a really

00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.539
 common name

00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.159
 of the day,

00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.000
 Yeshua,

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.220
 Joshua,

00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:33.939
 right?

00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.519
 Verse 6 says

00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.119
 that he was a

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.619
 Jewish,

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.299
 Jewish descent,

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.459
 false prophet.

00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:41.959
 Just a few

00:27:41.959 --> 00:27:42.539
 verses later,

00:27:42.699 --> 00:27:43.359
 verse 8,

00:27:43.459 --> 00:27:43.980
 he is called

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.579
 Elimus,

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.139
 which was his

00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.059
 Roman name.

00:27:46.199 --> 00:27:46.539
 It seemed that

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.399
 many people had

00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.639
 both in this case.

00:27:48.939 --> 00:27:49.619
 This is the text

00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.299
 where we see

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.159
 Saul,

00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.419
 also called

00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:53.179
 Paul.

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.699
 Some people have

00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:54.399
 the notion that

00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.079
 Saul was his

00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.119
 pre-conversion name

00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.819
 and Paul was his

00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.859
 post-conversion name,

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.899
 as God throughout

00:27:58.899 --> 00:28:00.000
 biblical history

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.179
 has renamed people

00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.959
 at times.

00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:03.019
 Not the case here.

00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.159
 Saul was his

00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:05.099
 Jewish name,

00:28:05.459 --> 00:28:06.500
 Paul was his

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.480
 Roman name.

00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.559
 And here he

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.279
 finds himself

00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.399
 on a largely

00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.579
 Gentile island,

00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.959
 primarily Gentile

00:28:12.959 --> 00:28:13.659
 island,

00:28:13.939 --> 00:28:14.480
 preaching the

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.939
 gospel,

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.259
 likely using,

00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.119
 instead of his

00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.259
 Jewish name,

00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.419
 his Roman name,

00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:20.079
 simply to become

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.899
 all things to all

00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.240
 people,

00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.259
 to relate more

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.639
 closely to them.

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.359
 Interestingly,

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.119
 in our text,

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.039
 the pro-consul's

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.659
 name is what?

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.399
 Sergius

00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:29.500
 Paulus.

00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:29.959
 His name is

00:28:29.959 --> 00:28:30.219
 Paul.

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.620
 And I just

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.160
 would imagine

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.360
 that Saul

00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:33.759
 meets him

00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.019
 and goes,

00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.299
 hey,

00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:34.920
 my name is

00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.380
 Paul too.

00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.299
 I have something

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.779
 I want to share

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.160
 with you.

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.819
 We have more

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.220
 in common

00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.880
 than you know.

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.420
 So some will

00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.319
 respond favorably,

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.200
 some will

00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:48.460
 respond unfavorably.

00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.559
 And how do we

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.480
 make sense of this?

00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.000
 There's much

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.860
 effort today

00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:55.600
 to convince

00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:57.339
 people that

00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:57.799
 Jesus is the

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:57.900
 way,

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.279
 the truth,

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:58.860
 and the life.

00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.799
 And I would

00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.899
 definitely argue

00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:01.419
 that we should

00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.619
 plead the case

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.240
 of Christ to

00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.559
 people,

00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:04.959
 that we need

00:29:04.959 --> 00:29:05.819
 to employ

00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.639
 apologetics,

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.479
 that we want

00:29:07.479 --> 00:29:09.219
 to argue

00:29:09.219 --> 00:29:10.119
 for Christ.

00:29:11.719 --> 00:29:12.379
 But at the

00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:12.879
 end of it all,

00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.439
 it's going to be

00:29:13.439 --> 00:29:14.439
 faith birthed

00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:15.119
 in people that

00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.679
 will bring them

00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:17.459
 to saving faith

00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.439
 in Jesus Christ.

00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.059
 Now turn with me

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.299
 if you will

00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.240
 to 2 Corinthians

00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.099
 chapter 4.

00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:38.000
 2 Corinthians

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.559
 chapter 4

00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.039
 verses 1

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.439
 through 6.

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.139
 This text,

00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:42.199
 Paul writing,

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.259
 helps us understand

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.159
 why their

00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:45.119
 proclamation was

00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:45.939
 received favorably

00:29:45.939 --> 00:29:46.439
 by some,

00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:48.159
 but not by

00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.719
 Elimus.

00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.679
 Why did the

00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.799
 proconsul believe,

00:29:53.219 --> 00:29:53.899
 but Elimus

00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.979
 did not?

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.640
 Verse 1,

00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.019
 2 Corinthians

00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.620
 chapter 4.

00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:58.620
 Therefore,

00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.440
 having this

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.160
 ministry by

00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.640
 the mercy

00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.220
 of God,

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.779
 we do not

00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:04.259
 lose heart.

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.500
 He's talking

00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.200
 about proclaiming

00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.759
 the gospel.

00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:07.759
 Some people

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.440
 will respond,

00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:08.940
 some people

00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.360
 will not.

00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.420
 We do not

00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.480
 lose heart.

00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:12.519
 Why?

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.940
 But we

00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.900
 have renounced

00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:16.039
 disgraceful,

00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.740
 underhanded

00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.299
 ways.

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.880
 We refuse

00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.740
 to practice

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.259
 cunning,

00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.099
 or to

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.620
 tamper

00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.559
 with God's

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.000
 word,

00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.859
 but by

00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.139
 the

00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:25.519
 open

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.799
 statement

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.599
 of the

00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.059
 truth.

00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:28.679
 So you

00:30:28.679 --> 00:30:28.859
 see what

00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.299
 he's saying?

00:30:29.659 --> 00:30:30.399
 We don't

00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:30.919
 lose heart

00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.459
 because we

00:30:31.459 --> 00:30:32.239
 have not

00:30:32.239 --> 00:30:33.359
 been

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.479
 deceitful,

00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.619
 we've not

00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.319
 been cunning,

00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.079
 we have not

00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.639
 tampered with

00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.379
 God's word,

00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:40.419
 but by the

00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.079
 open statement

00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.399
 of the

00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:41.699
 truth,

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.139
 we would

00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.619
 commend

00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.159
 ourselves

00:30:43.159 --> 00:30:43.419
 to

00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:44.259
 everyone's

00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.839
 conscience

00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:45.899
 in the

00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.219
 sight of

00:30:46.219 --> 00:30:46.539
 God.

00:30:47.479 --> 00:30:48.259
 And even

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.819
 if our

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.559
 gospel is

00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.099
 veiled,

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.639
 it is

00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.539
 veiled to

00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.159
 those

00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.680
 who are

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.120
 perishing.

00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:53.580
 So if

00:30:53.580 --> 00:30:54.140
 people don't

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.080
 understand it,

00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.440
 if it's

00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:55.840
 veiled,

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.480
 it's hidden

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.060
 from them,

00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:57.700
 it's hidden

00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.259
 from those

00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.320
 who are

00:30:59.320 --> 00:30:59.720
 perishing.

00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:01.040
 In their

00:31:01.040 --> 00:31:01.500
 case,

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.080
 the God

00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:02.380
 of this

00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:02.860
 world has

00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.560
 blinded the

00:31:03.560 --> 00:31:04.220
 minds of

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.940
 the unbelievers

00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:06.019
 to keep

00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.420
 them from

00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.120
 seeing the

00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:07.720
 light of

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.360
 the gospel

00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:08.800
 of the

00:31:08.800 --> 00:31:09.220
 glory of

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.680
 Christ,

00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:10.360
 who is

00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:10.700
 the image

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.160
 of God.

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.400
 For what

00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.060
 we proclaim

00:31:13.060 --> 00:31:13.519
 is not

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.240
 ourselves,

00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.500
 but Jesus

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.220
 Christ

00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.140
 as Lord,

00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.220
 with ourselves

00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.620
 as your

00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.180
 servants

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.860
 for Jesus

00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.360
 sake.

00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.759
 For God

00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.419
 who said,

00:31:23.199 --> 00:31:23.719
 let light

00:31:23.719 --> 00:31:24.639
 shine out

00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.139
 of darkness,

00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.439
 who created

00:31:26.439 --> 00:31:26.919
 light,

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.359
 the light

00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:27.619
 of the

00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.000
 world,

00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:28.459
 he said,

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:28.979
 let light

00:31:28.979 --> 00:31:29.459
 shine out

00:31:29.459 --> 00:31:29.919
 of darkness,

00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.059
 has shown

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.579
 in our

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.559
 hearts to

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:32.859
 give the

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.419
 light of

00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:34.000
 the knowledge

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.359
 of the

00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:34.779
 glory of

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.719
 God in

00:31:35.719 --> 00:31:36.259
 the face

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.059
 of Jesus

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.539
 Christ.

00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.240
 So they

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.799
 preach,

00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:41.119
 they preach

00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:41.579
 the good

00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:41.879
 news,

00:31:41.979 --> 00:31:42.500
 they proclaim

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.500
 the truth,

00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:44.959
 and they

00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.779
 understand that

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.359
 some will

00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:47.439
 respond favorably

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.180
 and some

00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.600
 will not.

00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.940
 But yet

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.480
 they keep

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.500
 preaching.

00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.039
 A man

00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.360
 one time

00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.220
 asked Charles

00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.600
 Spurgeon

00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:57.380
 why,

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.460
 if some

00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.019
 people were

00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.420
 elect,

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:00.920
 he preached

00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.380
 the gospel

00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:01.860
 at all,

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.519
 and he

00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:02.860
 said,

00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.460
 if there

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.740
 were a

00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.460
 yellow stripe

00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:04.820
 on the

00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:05.140
 elect's

00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.400
 back,

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:05.740
 I would

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.259
 simply go

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.920
 around lifting

00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.320
 up their

00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:07.880
 shirt tails.

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.980
 But since

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.299
 there are

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:09.660
 not,

00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.140
 we preach

00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.580
 the gospel.

00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:15.240
 Verse 12,

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:15.580
 right,

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:17.599
 the proconsul

00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:19.119
 believes.

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.299
 The gospel,

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.839
 the glory

00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.460
 of God,

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:22.740
 and the

00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.139
 face of

00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:23.899
 Jesus Christ

00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:24.460
 is not

00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:24.960
 hidden from

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.299
 him.

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.879
 It says,

00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.659
 when he saw

00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.199
 what had

00:32:28.199 --> 00:32:28.639
 occurred,

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.259
 so he sees

00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.659
 this thing

00:32:29.659 --> 00:32:30.419
 happen to

00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:30.960
 Elymas,

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:31.500
 right,

00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.339
 does he

00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:33.279
 believe because

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.659
 of what he

00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:34.079
 saw happen

00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:34.579
 to Elymas?

00:32:36.439 --> 00:32:37.240
 I'd suggest

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.679
 not,

00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.699
 for he

00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:40.659
 was astonished

00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.720
 not at what

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.119
 happened to

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:43.039
 Elymas at

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.419
 the teaching

00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.660
 of the

00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:45.960
 Lord,

00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:46.820
 at the

00:32:46.820 --> 00:32:47.080
 word of

00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.420
 God

00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:48.740
 proclaimed.

00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.160
 So,

00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:50.080
 God employs

00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:50.940
 means for

00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.279
 the pursuit

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:51.500
 of his

00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:51.860
 praise.

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.440
 His people,

00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.980
 his word,

00:32:54.360 --> 00:32:54.620
 and from

00:32:54.620 --> 00:32:54.980
 our text

00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.180
 today,

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.420
 there are

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:55.720
 some other

00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:55.960
 means,

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.240
 but from

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:56.560
 our text

00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:56.940
 today,

00:32:57.340 --> 00:32:57.779
 thirdly,

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.480
 his

00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.019
 suffering.

00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:03.800
 As God

00:33:03.800 --> 00:33:04.720
 pursues

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.680
 his praise,

00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.460
 he does

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.100
 so with

00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:08.680
 his

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.019
 suffering.

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.640
 The

00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:11.240
 proclamation

00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:13.039
 of Jesus

00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.640
 Christ

00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:15.200
 and the

00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:15.680
 suffering

00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.299
 of Jesus

00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.920
 Christ,

00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:17.980
 they walk

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.380
 hand in

00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:18.660
 hand.

00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.319
 They walk

00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:20.720
 hand in

00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:20.900
 hand.

00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.259
 If you

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.599
 propagate the

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:24.859
 word of

00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.140
 God,

00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:25.799
 if you

00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.359
 proclaim the

00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:26.940
 gospel of

00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.579
 Jesus Christ,

00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:28.819
 you will

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.160
 be persecuted.

00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.480
 And we

00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.079
 often have

00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:32.539
 these really

00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.079
 big notions

00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.620
 of persecution

00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.359
 that are a

00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:34.759
 reality.

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:35.259
 We see a

00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:35.680
 lot of it

00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:35.940
 in the

00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.240
 book of

00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.559
 Acts.

00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.640
 We see a

00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.019
 lot of it

00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.220
 in the

00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:38.759
 world today.

00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.259
 In fact,

00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.220
 next Sunday

00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:40.940
 is the

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:41.360
 International

00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:41.740
 Day of

00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.380
 Prayer for

00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:42.500
 the

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:42.940
 Persecuted

00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:43.240
 Church.

00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.539
 And we're

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:43.700
 going to

00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.059
 take some

00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.559
 time to

00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.019
 do that

00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.720
 and consider

00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.339
 that together.

00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.000
 But I

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.759
 fear sometimes

00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.299
 we think of

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.720
 that as such

00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.519
 a far-off

00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:49.900
 thing.

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.220
 Really,

00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:51.860
 the type of

00:33:51.860 --> 00:33:52.240
 persecution

00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.920
 we're talking

00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.640
 about next

00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:54.779
 Sunday is

00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:55.960
 beatings and

00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:57.100
 imprisonment and

00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:57.779
 martyrdom.

00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.799
 We need to

00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.420
 join in prayer

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.160
 for churches

00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:01.380
 that are

00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.120
 experiencing that

00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:02.519
 around the

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:02.700
 world.

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.579
 Undoubtedly,

00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.640
 we shouldn't

00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.319
 think that we're

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.400
 too much like

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:06.700
 them.

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.079
 However,

00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:08.820
 we also

00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:09.380
 shouldn't think

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:09.679
 that we're

00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:10.559
 too different

00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.379
 from them.

00:34:11.859 --> 00:34:12.319
 Those who

00:34:12.319 --> 00:34:12.879
 desire to

00:34:12.879 --> 00:34:14.039
 live godly in

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.619
 Christ Jesus

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.579
 will be

00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.219
 persecuted.

00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.379
 If you're

00:34:17.379 --> 00:34:17.960
 not feeling

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.139
 any pushback

00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:19.839
 from the

00:34:19.839 --> 00:34:20.299
 world,

00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.359
 you're not

00:34:21.359 --> 00:34:21.879
 proclaiming the

00:34:21.879 --> 00:34:22.299
 gospel of

00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:22.960
 Jesus Christ

00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.739
 as you

00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.059
 should.

00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:24.960
 The two

00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:26.059
 walk hand

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.559
 in hand.

00:34:26.879 --> 00:34:27.319
 They are

00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:28.259
 mutually

00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:29.639
 inclusive.

00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.019
 They're

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.519
 mutually

00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.399
 inclusive.

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.579
 We're not

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:34.219
 saved from

00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:34.659
 persecution

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.219
 because we're

00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.699
 Americans.

00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:35.879
 Christians.

00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:40.799
 But

00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.480
 Elimus the

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:41.919
 magician,

00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:42.859
 verse 8,

00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:43.919
 for that's

00:34:43.919 --> 00:34:44.279
 the meaning

00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:44.559
 of his

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:44.839
 name.

00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:45.679
 Elimus

00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:46.480
 means

00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:47.779
 Greek,

00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:48.439
 wise,

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.139
 or magical.

00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.079
 Opposed

00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:51.439
 them.

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.439
 The Greek

00:34:52.439 --> 00:34:52.759
 word for

00:34:52.759 --> 00:34:53.460
 opposed is

00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:53.699
 a little

00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:54.299
 stronger

00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:55.039
 than we

00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:55.539
 may think.

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:55.779
 He

00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.980
 resisted

00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.339
 or he

00:34:57.339 --> 00:34:58.439
 was hostile

00:34:58.439 --> 00:35:00.059
 toward this

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.399
 message.

00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:00.719
 And what

00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:00.939
 did he

00:35:00.939 --> 00:35:01.259
 seek to

00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:01.480
 do?

00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:01.779
 He

00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:02.239
 sought

00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:02.799
 to turn

00:35:02.799 --> 00:35:02.980
 the

00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.599
 proconsul

00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.539
 away from

00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:04.679
 the

00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:04.880
 faith.

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.159
 This

00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.420
 is a

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:05.639
 picture

00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:05.800
 of

00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.279
 persecution

00:35:06.279 --> 00:35:07.759
 the way

00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:08.259
 we may

00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:08.739
 experience

00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:08.940
 it

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.320
 today.

00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:10.380
 Simple

00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:11.099
 opposition

00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.779
 to the

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.119
 message

00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.699
 of Jesus

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.219
 Christ.

00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:13.840
 Seeking

00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.500
 to intervene

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.079
 and turn

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.380
 people

00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.779
 away

00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.380
 from

00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.000
 the

00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.380
 way

00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.380
 of

00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:18.800
 faith.

00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:20.759
 Listen to

00:35:20.759 --> 00:35:21.059
 what Paul

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.400
 wrote in

00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:21.779
 Colossians

00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.380
 chapter 1

00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.239
 verse 24.

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:25.119
 Now I

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.699
 rejoice

00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:26.360
 in my

00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:27.039
 sufferings

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.079
 for your

00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.539
 sake.

00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:29.400
 And in

00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:30.340
 my flesh,

00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.099
 peculiar

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.699
 phrasing

00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.039
 here,

00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.019
 I am

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.480
 filling

00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.300
 up what

00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:35.060
 is lacking

00:35:35.060 --> 00:35:35.940
 in

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.740
 Christ's

00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:37.560
 afflictions

00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:38.420
 for the

00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:38.780
 sake of

00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:38.920
 his

00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.240
 body,

00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:40.019
 that is

00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:41.160
 the

00:35:41.160 --> 00:35:41.560
 church.

00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:45.840
 I am

00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:46.240
 filling

00:35:46.240 --> 00:35:46.600
 up what

00:35:46.600 --> 00:35:47.200
 is lacking

00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:47.460
 in

00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:48.080
 Christ's

00:35:48.080 --> 00:35:48.760
 afflictions

00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.680
 for the

00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:50.080
 sake of

00:35:50.080 --> 00:35:50.260
 his

00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:50.600
 body,

00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:51.440
 that is

00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.420
 the

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:52.860
 church.

00:35:53.780 --> 00:35:54.060
 Is

00:35:54.060 --> 00:35:54.320
 Paul

00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:54.920
 suggesting

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.160
 that

00:35:55.160 --> 00:35:55.820
 Christ's

00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.200
 suffering

00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:56.740
 wasn't

00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.220
 enough?

00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.600
 May it

00:35:59.600 --> 00:36:00.039
 never be.

00:36:01.160 --> 00:36:01.580
 Paul is

00:36:01.580 --> 00:36:02.039
 not saying

00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.460
 that Christ's

00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:02.860
 suffering was

00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:03.640
 lacking in

00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.699
 its power.

00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.239
 What he

00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:06.659
 is saying

00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:06.980
 is that

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.539
 Christ's

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.079
 suffering

00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:09.159
 needs to

00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:10.400
 be displayed

00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:11.579
 to those

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:11.819
 who will

00:36:11.819 --> 00:36:12.559
 believe in

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:12.839
 him.

00:36:14.179 --> 00:36:14.619
 Life,

00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:15.000
 death,

00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:15.219
 and

00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:15.799
 resurrection

00:36:15.799 --> 00:36:17.159
 is given

00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:18.099
 power as

00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.679
 we proclaim

00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.179
 the truth

00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.420
 of the

00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:19.920
 gospel as

00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.659
 we suffer

00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:21.819
 for their

00:36:21.819 --> 00:36:22.199
 sake.

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.159
 Proclamation

00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.759
 and persecution

00:36:25.759 --> 00:36:27.179
 are mutually

00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:28.559
 inclusive.

00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:28.759
 inclusive.

00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.440
 People

00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:31.179
 around us

00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:31.599
 need to

00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.299
 see us

00:36:32.299 --> 00:36:32.860
 encounter

00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:33.519
 resistance

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.259
 to the

00:36:34.259 --> 00:36:34.519
 glorious

00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:34.880
 truth of

00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.019
 the

00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.380
 gospel

00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:35.900
 and

00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.259
 press

00:36:36.259 --> 00:36:36.500
 through

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:36.699
 it

00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.059
 all

00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:37.219
 the

00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:37.539
 same.

00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:38.779
 They

00:36:38.779 --> 00:36:39.099
 need to

00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:40.139
 hear us

00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:40.779
 continue

00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.259
 to preach

00:36:41.259 --> 00:36:41.619
 the word

00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.059
 of God

00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:42.579
 when people

00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.440
 don't like

00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.179
 us for

00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:44.719
 doing so.

00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:45.719
 When people

00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:46.219
 think us

00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:47.239
 strange,

00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:47.840
 when we

00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:48.679
 lose a

00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:49.420
 job because

00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:49.679
 of the

00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.139
 proclamation

00:36:50.139 --> 00:36:50.820
 of the

00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.159
 gospel,

00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:51.759
 people need

00:36:51.759 --> 00:36:52.139
 to see

00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:52.940
 us press

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.400
 on

00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.539
 through that.

00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:55.539
 The two

00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.299
 things are

00:36:56.299 --> 00:36:56.679
 mutually

00:36:56.679 --> 00:36:58.239
 inclusive.

00:37:00.319 --> 00:37:00.879
 So we

00:37:00.879 --> 00:37:01.059
 see the

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.440
 beneficiaries

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.000
 of God's

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.299
 pursuit of

00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:02.639
 his praise,

00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:03.139
 the church,

00:37:03.239 --> 00:37:03.759
 the means

00:37:03.759 --> 00:37:04.199
 of God's

00:37:04.199 --> 00:37:04.519
 pursuit of

00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.019
 his praise,

00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:06.079
 his people,

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.219
 his word,

00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.460
 and his

00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:08.879
 suffering.

00:37:09.339 --> 00:37:09.819
 And finally,

00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:10.359
 we see the

00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:11.440
 persistence of

00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.039
 God's

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:13.539
 pursuit of

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.079
 his praise.

00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:15.960
 Praise God

00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.440
 that he is

00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.839
 persistent in

00:37:17.839 --> 00:37:18.739
 his pursuit

00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:20.460
 of his

00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:20.899
 praise.

00:37:22.279 --> 00:37:22.819
 God

00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:24.019
 intended

00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:24.940
 to save

00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.679
 the proconsul

00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.039
 and nothing

00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:27.779
 would stand

00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.259
 in his

00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:28.519
 way.

00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:30.219
 I hope

00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:30.539
 that's a

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:30.839
 great

00:37:30.839 --> 00:37:31.339
 encouragement

00:37:31.339 --> 00:37:31.799
 to you

00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:32.739
 this morning.

00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:33.980
 God had

00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.699
 an intention

00:37:34.699 --> 00:37:35.440
 for the

00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:35.779
 governor

00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:36.719
 of Cyprus

00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:37.639
 and nothing

00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:38.299
 would stand

00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:38.539
 in his

00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:38.759
 way.

00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.440
 He created

00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:39.739
 a church

00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:40.319
 in Antioch,

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:40.960
 he commissioned

00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.639
 missionaries

00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.480
 to Cyprus,

00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:43.339
 and he brought

00:37:43.339 --> 00:37:44.219
 them to

00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.719
 the proconsul,

00:37:45.879 --> 00:37:46.339
 Sergius

00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:48.159
 Paulus.

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:50.719
 And in the

00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.159
 face of the

00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:51.919
 opposition of

00:37:51.919 --> 00:37:52.379
 Elimus,

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.639
 catch this,

00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:53.960
 that in

00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:54.659
 verse 9,

00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:55.460
 Saul,

00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.119
 who's also

00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:56.639
 called Paul,

00:37:57.259 --> 00:37:58.059
 is filled

00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:58.859
 with the

00:37:58.859 --> 00:37:59.359
 Holy Spirit.

00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:01.279
 I would

00:38:01.279 --> 00:38:01.859
 not suggest

00:38:01.859 --> 00:38:02.279
 that anytime

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:04.420
 somebody opposes

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:05.259
 your proclamation

00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:05.879
 of the gospel,

00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:06.719
 that you call

00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:07.099
 them a son

00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:07.519
 of the devil.

00:38:11.259 --> 00:38:11.879
 I would

00:38:11.879 --> 00:38:13.000
 advise caution

00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.980
 in speaking

00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.480
 the way

00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.099
 that Paul

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:15.819
 speaks here,

00:38:16.299 --> 00:38:17.359
 but Paul

00:38:17.359 --> 00:38:18.000
 certainly doesn't

00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:18.519
 seem to be

00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:18.980
 frightened at

00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:19.519
 all by this

00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:19.839
 man,

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.379
 does he?

00:38:20.759 --> 00:38:21.519
 He's filled

00:38:21.519 --> 00:38:21.759
 with the

00:38:21.759 --> 00:38:22.399
 Holy Spirit,

00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:23.920
 moved by

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.360
 the Spirit

00:38:24.360 --> 00:38:24.780
 to say

00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:25.099
 to him,

00:38:25.160 --> 00:38:25.639
 you son

00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:25.860
 of the

00:38:25.860 --> 00:38:26.079
 devil,

00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:27.119
 you enemy

00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:27.760
 of all

00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:28.160
 righteousness,

00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:28.680
 full of

00:38:28.680 --> 00:38:29.519
 deceit and

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.079
 villainy,

00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:30.880
 will you

00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:31.639
 not stop

00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:32.420
 making crooked

00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:33.599
 the straight

00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:34.940
 paths of

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.360
 the Lord?

00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:36.420
 What is

00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:36.860
 meant by

00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:37.139
 that,

00:38:37.360 --> 00:38:38.539
 making crooked

00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:40.079
 the straight

00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:41.559
 paths of

00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:41.800
 the Lord?

00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.079
 And we get

00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.539
 a little bit

00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:42.980
 of a hint

00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:43.380
 if you look

00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:43.860
 in verse

00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:44.460
 8,

00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:46.380
 Luke records

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.320
 that Elimus

00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:48.019
 was seeking

00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:49.119
 to turn

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.920
 the proconsul

00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:51.800
 away from

00:38:51.800 --> 00:38:52.599
 the faith.

00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:53.960
 And the

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.699
 Greek word

00:38:54.699 --> 00:38:55.619
 for making

00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.079
 crooked

00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:57.380
 and the

00:38:57.380 --> 00:38:57.860
 Greek word

00:38:57.860 --> 00:38:58.920
 for seeking

00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.420
 to turn,

00:38:59.460 --> 00:38:59.940
 it's a single

00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.460
 word and

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.079
 it's the same

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.480
 word.

00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:02.739
 So these two

00:39:02.739 --> 00:39:03.400
 correspond,

00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.039
 right?

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:04.659
 Seeking to

00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:05.840
 turn and

00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:06.940
 making crooked

00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.500
 correspond,

00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:08.599
 which leads

00:39:08.599 --> 00:39:09.139
 me to believe

00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:09.780
 that also

00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:11.199
 the faith

00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:11.820
 and the

00:39:11.820 --> 00:39:12.599
 straight paths

00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:12.880
 of the

00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.159
 Lord

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:14.719
 correspond.

00:39:15.280 --> 00:39:16.380
 So God

00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:17.480
 has straight

00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:18.119
 paths

00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:19.519
 leading to

00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:19.900
 faith.

00:39:20.780 --> 00:39:21.059
 And He

00:39:21.059 --> 00:39:21.440
 will not

00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.200
 allow them

00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:23.000
 to be made

00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:24.059
 crooked.

00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.119
 He will

00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:25.800
 not allow

00:39:25.800 --> 00:39:26.460
 one of His

00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.340
 own to be

00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:27.780
 turned

00:39:27.780 --> 00:39:29.800
 from His

00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:30.260
 praise.

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.720
 Praise Him

00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:32.360
 for that.

00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:34.780
 After Peter

00:39:34.780 --> 00:39:35.500
 proclaims that

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.240
 Jesus is the

00:39:36.240 --> 00:39:36.840
 Christ in

00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.680
 Matthew 16,

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.280
 18,

00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.260
 Jesus says,

00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:41.619
 and I tell

00:39:41.619 --> 00:39:41.960
 you,

00:39:42.140 --> 00:39:42.860
 you are Peter,

00:39:43.200 --> 00:39:43.920
 and on this

00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.280
 rock,

00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:44.660
 He's talking

00:39:44.660 --> 00:39:44.960
 about the

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.440
 proclamation

00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:46.039
 that Jesus

00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:46.360
 is the

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:46.700
 Christ,

00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:47.360
 not on

00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:47.579
 Peter.

00:39:47.680 --> 00:39:47.880
 He's talking

00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:48.120
 about the

00:39:48.120 --> 00:39:48.700
 proclamation

00:39:48.700 --> 00:39:50.039
 on this

00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:50.539
 rock that

00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:50.840
 you have

00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:51.059
 said,

00:39:51.220 --> 00:39:51.480
 I am

00:39:51.480 --> 00:39:51.599
 the

00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:51.940
 Christ,

00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:53.000
 I will

00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.480
 build

00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:54.400
 my

00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.500
 church,

00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.400
 and the

00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:56.860
 gates of

00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.860
 hell shall

00:39:57.860 --> 00:39:58.579
 not prevail

00:39:58.579 --> 00:39:59.599
 against it.

00:39:59.640 --> 00:40:00.180
 They will

00:40:00.180 --> 00:40:01.280
 not stand

00:40:01.280 --> 00:40:02.240
 in opposition

00:40:02.240 --> 00:40:02.760
 to the

00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:03.460
 advance

00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:04.640
 of the

00:40:04.640 --> 00:40:05.019
 church.

00:40:06.480 --> 00:40:07.120
 So we

00:40:07.120 --> 00:40:07.360
 can see

00:40:07.360 --> 00:40:07.660
 God's

00:40:07.660 --> 00:40:07.860
 pursuit

00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.059
 of His

00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:09.280
 praise as

00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:09.860
 we observe

00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:10.320
 the

00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:10.800
 beneficiaries

00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.539
 of God's

00:40:11.539 --> 00:40:11.780
 pursuit

00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.000
 of His

00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:12.400
 praise,

00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.240
 the means

00:40:13.240 --> 00:40:14.400
 of God's

00:40:14.400 --> 00:40:15.120
 pursuit of

00:40:15.120 --> 00:40:15.280
 His

00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:15.700
 praise.

00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:16.140
 I'm saying

00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:16.639
 that a lot

00:40:16.639 --> 00:40:17.679
 and the

00:40:17.679 --> 00:40:18.259
 persistence

00:40:18.259 --> 00:40:19.659
 of God's

00:40:19.659 --> 00:40:21.400
 pursuit of

00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:21.519
 His

00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:21.900
 praise.

00:40:22.900 --> 00:40:23.379
 So what does

00:40:23.379 --> 00:40:23.719
 it mean for

00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:24.119
 us today?

00:40:24.839 --> 00:40:25.379
 We're looking

00:40:25.379 --> 00:40:26.119
 at it here,

00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:27.420
 life of the

00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:27.859
 early church,

00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.679
 8047.

00:40:29.699 --> 00:40:30.359
 Does it mean

00:40:30.359 --> 00:40:30.859
 something for us

00:40:30.859 --> 00:40:31.119
 today?

00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:31.539
 It certainly

00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:31.960
 does.

00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:32.739
 It's God's

00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.699
 word to us.

00:40:34.440 --> 00:40:34.779
 What's the

00:40:34.779 --> 00:40:35.480
 application?

00:40:36.579 --> 00:40:37.559
 I've got three

00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:37.960
 and they're

00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.420
 quick.

00:40:38.420 --> 00:40:40.780
 number one,

00:40:41.159 --> 00:40:41.539
 if you

00:40:41.539 --> 00:40:42.180
 have placed

00:40:42.180 --> 00:40:42.539
 believing

00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.360
 faith in

00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:43.579
 Jesus

00:40:43.579 --> 00:40:44.159
 Christ,

00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:45.220
 then you

00:40:45.220 --> 00:40:45.680
 are a

00:40:45.680 --> 00:40:46.260
 beneficiary

00:40:46.260 --> 00:40:47.000
 of God's

00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:47.559
 pursuit

00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.480
 of His

00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:48.920
 praise.

00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:49.360
 You should

00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:50.700
 revel in

00:40:50.700 --> 00:40:51.139
 the fact

00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:51.460
 that this

00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:51.720
 is what

00:40:51.720 --> 00:40:52.159
 God is

00:40:52.159 --> 00:40:52.860
 set to.

00:40:55.740 --> 00:40:56.680
 A quick

00:40:56.680 --> 00:40:58.440
 unanimous

00:40:58.440 --> 00:40:59.240
 poem for

00:40:59.240 --> 00:40:59.500
 you,

00:41:00.820 --> 00:41:01.039
 which I

00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:01.900
 think pictures

00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:02.380
 this so

00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:02.680
 well.

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:04.399
 Oh, how

00:41:04.399 --> 00:41:05.480
 long and

00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:06.079
 dark the

00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:06.759
 stairs I

00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:07.299
 trod,

00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:08.099
 with

00:41:08.099 --> 00:41:08.679
 stumbling

00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:09.859
 feet to

00:41:09.859 --> 00:41:10.699
 find my

00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.059
 God,

00:41:11.759 --> 00:41:12.519
 gaining a

00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:13.159
 foothold bit

00:41:13.159 --> 00:41:13.699
 by bit,

00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:14.460
 then slipping

00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.819
 back and

00:41:15.819 --> 00:41:16.419
 losing it.

00:41:17.059 --> 00:41:17.819
 There came a

00:41:17.819 --> 00:41:18.419
 certain time

00:41:18.419 --> 00:41:18.980
 when I

00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:19.819
 loosened my

00:41:19.819 --> 00:41:20.519
 hold and

00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:21.779
 fell thereby,

00:41:22.139 --> 00:41:23.000
 down to the

00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.879
 lowest step

00:41:23.879 --> 00:41:24.579
 my fall,

00:41:24.699 --> 00:41:25.699
 as if I

00:41:25.699 --> 00:41:26.119
 had not

00:41:26.119 --> 00:41:27.679
 climbed at

00:41:27.679 --> 00:41:28.019
 all.

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.679
 And as I

00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:30.719
 lay despairing

00:41:30.719 --> 00:41:31.059
 there,

00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:32.279
 there came a

00:41:32.280 --> 00:41:33.380
 footfall on

00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:33.960
 the stairs,

00:41:34.100 --> 00:41:34.640
 and lo,

00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:35.720
 when hope

00:41:35.720 --> 00:41:36.640
 had ceased

00:41:36.640 --> 00:41:37.340
 to be,

00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:38.660
 my God

00:41:38.660 --> 00:41:39.400
 came down

00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.060
 the stairs

00:41:40.060 --> 00:41:41.280
 to me.

00:41:42.760 --> 00:41:43.740
 We are the

00:41:43.740 --> 00:41:44.480
 beneficiaries

00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:46.040
 of God's

00:41:46.040 --> 00:41:46.620
 pursuit of

00:41:46.620 --> 00:41:46.900
 His own

00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:47.340
 praise.

00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:49.080
 If you

00:41:49.080 --> 00:41:49.660
 have not

00:41:49.660 --> 00:41:50.160
 placed

00:41:50.160 --> 00:41:51.260
 believing

00:41:51.260 --> 00:41:51.960
 faith in

00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:52.360
 Christ,

00:41:53.220 --> 00:41:53.540
 then the

00:41:53.540 --> 00:41:54.519
 invitation is

00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:55.120
 before you

00:41:55.120 --> 00:41:55.640
 today.

00:41:56.780 --> 00:41:57.560
 I pray that

00:41:57.560 --> 00:41:57.960
 you find

00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:58.760
 yourself humble,

00:41:59.740 --> 00:42:00.820
 laying with

00:42:00.820 --> 00:42:01.540
 no hope,

00:42:01.539 --> 00:42:02.679
 at the foot

00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:02.960
 of those

00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:03.420
 stairs.

00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:04.880
 The invitation

00:42:04.880 --> 00:42:05.519
 of God

00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:06.300
 coming to

00:42:06.300 --> 00:42:06.599
 you that

00:42:06.599 --> 00:42:06.880
 you might

00:42:06.880 --> 00:42:07.400
 respond in

00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:08.699
 faith is

00:42:08.699 --> 00:42:09.380
 for you

00:42:09.380 --> 00:42:10.519
 today.

00:42:11.500 --> 00:42:11.860
 Will you

00:42:11.860 --> 00:42:12.719
 recognize your

00:42:12.719 --> 00:42:13.639
 rebellion against

00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:14.619
 a good and

00:42:14.619 --> 00:42:15.179
 glorious God?

00:42:15.239 --> 00:42:15.480
 Will you

00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:16.360
 recognize that

00:42:16.360 --> 00:42:17.179
 you are like

00:42:17.179 --> 00:42:18.239
 a cyprine?

00:42:19.340 --> 00:42:19.860
 Repent of

00:42:19.860 --> 00:42:20.920
 your sin and

00:42:20.920 --> 00:42:21.300
 place your

00:42:21.300 --> 00:42:22.400
 faith in the

00:42:22.400 --> 00:42:23.139
 personal work

00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:23.739
 of Christ

00:42:23.739 --> 00:42:24.639
 this day.

00:42:25.860 --> 00:42:26.840
 I want you to

00:42:26.840 --> 00:42:27.079
 be a

00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:27.800
 beneficiary of

00:42:27.800 --> 00:42:28.920
 God's pursuit

00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:30.259
 of His praise.

00:42:30.260 --> 00:42:31.000
 I want you

00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:31.540
 to praise

00:42:31.540 --> 00:42:32.340
 Him with

00:42:32.340 --> 00:42:33.840
 me forever.

00:42:35.600 --> 00:42:36.120
 Secondly,

00:42:37.120 --> 00:42:38.380
 if you are

00:42:38.380 --> 00:42:38.840
 a Christian,

00:42:39.040 --> 00:42:39.700
 God intends

00:42:39.700 --> 00:42:40.400
 to use you

00:42:40.400 --> 00:42:41.280
 as a means

00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:42.360
 in the pursuit

00:42:42.360 --> 00:42:42.980
 of His praise.

00:42:44.020 --> 00:42:44.600
 Are you

00:42:44.600 --> 00:42:45.560
 obedient to

00:42:45.560 --> 00:42:46.340
 the call of

00:42:46.340 --> 00:42:46.940
 God on

00:42:46.940 --> 00:42:47.640
 your life

00:42:47.640 --> 00:42:48.700
 here

00:42:48.700 --> 00:42:50.420
 now?

00:42:51.540 --> 00:42:52.240
 And will

00:42:52.240 --> 00:42:52.740
 you continue

00:42:52.740 --> 00:42:53.360
 to be obedient

00:42:53.360 --> 00:42:54.520
 in all

00:42:54.520 --> 00:42:55.040
 things

00:42:55.040 --> 00:42:56.900
 to all

00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.820
 peoples?

00:42:57.820 --> 00:42:59.260
 this is

00:42:59.260 --> 00:43:00.019
 your gospel

00:43:00.019 --> 00:43:00.559
 commission.

00:43:01.180 --> 00:43:01.740
 The disciple

00:43:01.740 --> 00:43:02.260
 of Jesus

00:43:02.260 --> 00:43:03.480
 Christ makes

00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:05.380
 disciples of

00:43:05.380 --> 00:43:06.059
 Jesus Christ.

00:43:07.400 --> 00:43:08.000
 Thirdly,

00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:11.000
 we can all

00:43:11.000 --> 00:43:11.640
 rejoice in

00:43:11.640 --> 00:43:12.120
 God's

00:43:12.120 --> 00:43:13.340
 persistence in

00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:13.860
 the pursuit

00:43:13.860 --> 00:43:15.080
 of His

00:43:15.080 --> 00:43:15.480
 praise.

00:43:16.780 --> 00:43:17.420
 We are a

00:43:17.420 --> 00:43:18.059
 part of a

00:43:18.059 --> 00:43:18.700
 story that

00:43:18.700 --> 00:43:19.420
 began a

00:43:19.420 --> 00:43:21.080
 long time

00:43:21.080 --> 00:43:21.680
 ago.

00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:23.519
 Began in

00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:24.039
 Genesis

00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:25.580
 chapter 1.

00:43:25.680 --> 00:43:26.220
 It kicked

00:43:26.219 --> 00:43:26.899
 off in

00:43:26.899 --> 00:43:27.279
 Genesis

00:43:27.279 --> 00:43:29.359
 chapter 3.

00:43:29.759 --> 00:43:30.239
 We are

00:43:30.239 --> 00:43:30.739
 part of

00:43:30.739 --> 00:43:31.679
 this huge

00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.599
 redemptive

00:43:32.599 --> 00:43:33.539
 story.

00:43:34.339 --> 00:43:34.819
 Barnabas,

00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:35.419
 Paul,

00:43:35.579 --> 00:43:36.199
 and John

00:43:36.199 --> 00:43:36.599
 Mark on

00:43:36.599 --> 00:43:36.919
 the island

00:43:36.919 --> 00:43:37.419
 of Cyprus

00:43:37.419 --> 00:43:37.819
 is just

00:43:37.819 --> 00:43:39.079
 one scene

00:43:39.079 --> 00:43:39.899
 in a much

00:43:39.899 --> 00:43:40.759
 larger

00:43:40.759 --> 00:43:41.679
 play.

00:43:42.399 --> 00:43:42.839
 God is

00:43:42.839 --> 00:43:43.279
 pursuing

00:43:43.279 --> 00:43:44.500
 and He

00:43:44.500 --> 00:43:44.879
 has made

00:43:44.879 --> 00:43:45.939
 us His

00:43:45.939 --> 00:43:46.179
 own.

00:43:47.719 --> 00:43:48.199
 Further,

00:43:48.359 --> 00:43:48.899
 we can be

00:43:48.899 --> 00:43:49.879
 emboldened

00:43:49.879 --> 00:43:50.279
 in our

00:43:50.279 --> 00:43:50.679
 gospel

00:43:50.679 --> 00:43:51.359
 proclamation

00:43:51.359 --> 00:43:52.079
 because

00:43:52.079 --> 00:43:52.679
 nothing

00:43:52.679 --> 00:43:53.819
 will stop

00:43:53.819 --> 00:43:54.579
 the salvation

00:43:54.579 --> 00:43:55.920
 of God's

00:43:55.920 --> 00:43:56.159
 people.

00:43:56.759 --> 00:43:57.239
 Let's pray

00:43:57.239 --> 00:43:57.539
 together.

00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.239
 Let's pray

00:43:57.239 --> 00:43:57.539
 together.

00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:57.960
 Let's pray

00:43:57.960 --> 00:43:57.539
 together.