WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 I saw the start of a new series of Race Across the World. 00:00:03.260 --> 00:00:03.480 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.839 I'm leaving TV. 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:34.859 The book of Acts is the Race Across the World. 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:43.359 The book of Acts is the story of the gospel going from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:54.560 The story of Acts is a tiny little group huddled together in a room at the start of Acts and at the end of Acts, a worldwide global movement. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:56.120 It's a race across the world. 00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:02.859 And the first series of the Race Across the World is this missionary journey of Acts 13 and 14. 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:05.539 It takes six minutes to read. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:08.640 The journey lasted about three years. 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:11.840 46 to 48 AD. 00:01:12.799 --> 00:01:19.640 Before Paul and Barnabas set out, there are no Christian congregations in Asia Minor. 00:01:20.599 --> 00:01:25.840 Within a decade, there are Christian churches in every major city. 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:29.520 Come with me to the end of Acts chapter 14. 00:01:29.960 --> 00:01:31.320 And there's a summary verse. 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:35.480 And they report back at the end of this race across the world. 00:01:35.580 --> 00:01:43.340 And they say, verse 26, where we sail to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they'd fulfilled. 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:45.880 And when they arrived, they gathered all the church together. 00:01:45.880 --> 00:01:49.000 They declared all that God had done with them. 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:55.920 And how God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:59.159 Chapter 14 is God in action. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:06.000 It is God opening a door of faith to those who are not Jews, to the Gentiles. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:13.759 We have a picture here of how God opens the door wide for people like you and people like me. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:17.620 How God sets an opportunity before his people. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:21.680 But it is very different from what we might expect. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:30.920 If God is really opening a door of faith, wouldn't you expect things to go really well? 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:41.799 If we had a missionary who came to us and said, well listen, and the door of faith is opening wide in this area of the world, we would expect success stories. 00:02:42.739 --> 00:02:44.439 We would expect for things to come together. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:47.259 For there to be some level of safety and security. 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:52.019 You would not expect all sorts of opposition and hostility. 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:55.320 But what we find in Acts 14 is very different. 00:02:55.480 --> 00:02:58.380 Paul and Barnabas, remember, they are run out of Antioch. 00:02:58.980 --> 00:03:00.260 Run out of Iconium. 00:03:00.540 --> 00:03:01.360 They are stoned. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:02.960 They are left for dead in Lystra. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:08.000 Four years later, the apostle Paul is writing to his sidekick, Timothy. 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:12.200 To one of the young men who had come to faith when Paul preached in Lystra. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:16.060 And Paul reminds him of this first visit. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:19.900 He says, you followed my teaching, my conduct. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:27.260 My aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and my sufferings. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:33.140 All that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Acts 13 and 14. 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:37.840 All the persecutions I endured, yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 00:03:39.540 --> 00:03:43.960 That is your picture of God opening a door of faith. 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:51.300 And there is an idea out there in lots of churches, and even in churches like this, 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:58.520 that if you follow the Lord Jesus, and if a church is obedient to the Lord Jesus, 00:03:58.700 --> 00:04:00.520 then all its problems will disappear. 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:07.380 And what Acts 13 and 14 teaches us is the opposite of that. 00:04:09.140 --> 00:04:12.160 Remember Paul and Barnabas, they're coming from Antioch in Pisidia, 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:14.140 and there's a map, there's two Antiochs. 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:17.879 There's Antioch on your right, 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:22.300 and there's another Antioch, isn't there, on the top left, Pisidian Antioch. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:28.060 And Pisidia and Antioch is really this kind of trendy city. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:34.660 It's the trendy place of London, wherever that is. 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:37.420 Greenford. 00:04:39.100 --> 00:04:39.620 Hanwell. 00:04:40.960 --> 00:04:46.639 It's where the media are, artsy people, influences, key people on the arts, 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:50.259 on the board of trade, and they've turned against Christianity and the gospel. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:54.579 And yet the Christians, they remain joyful and full of the Spirit. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:59.800 And what do you do when you've been thrown out of a city for preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus? 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:01.240 What do you do? 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:02.500 Do you go back to home base? 00:05:02.659 --> 00:05:03.800 Do you lick your wounds? 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:05.019 Do you go back to safety? 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:07.339 Do you take a holiday on the med? 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:08.659 Do you rethink the strategy? 00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:13.240 Do you think, let's take some of the nasty bits out of the gospel? 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:18.899 Let's not tell people about the wrath of God, or the judgment of God, or repentance. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:20.079 Let's not do that. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:22.599 Well, what do they do in chapter 14? 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:29.860 They take courage in their hands, and they do what is unsafe, and they do what is massively risky and unconventional. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:34.819 There are three episodes in the chapter, and I want to look at one at a time. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:37.699 Verses 1 to 7, they come to Iconium. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:40.319 Can you see the risk of faith? 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:43.779 They do the same thing. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:48.800 They go to this place, Iconium, and they do the same thing they did in Antioch. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:54.560 They go to the synagogue, and they preach as they've done again and again. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:56.220 Look at the emphasis. 00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:57.519 What do they do? 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:59.480 Verse 1, they speak. 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:02.740 Verse 3, they speak boldly. 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:05.060 Verse 7, they preach. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:06.879 How does the gospel go forward? 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:09.280 How do churches get planted? 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:11.540 God's word is preached. 00:06:13.160 --> 00:06:20.000 That is the way that the risen Lord Jesus brings salvation to people, through a message, through the preaching, proclaiming of the gospel. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:25.639 How many verses does it take for persecution to break out? 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:28.339 The answer is 1. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:37.480 Verse 2, some from Antioch come, and people's minds are poisoned, and Christianity is seen as a pernicious threat. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:40.019 So what do Paul and Barnabas do? 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:43.300 Verse 3, they remain there a long time. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.139 They speak boldly for the Lord. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:51.599 They bear witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:53.180 But the people of the city are divided. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:58.439 The Christian message comes to a city, and the city is divided. 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:02.680 Some side with the Jews, some side with the apostles. 00:07:03.479 --> 00:07:04.219 What's going on here? 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:12.419 God is showing stunning and remarkable kindness to the people of Iconium. 00:07:12.420 --> 00:07:19.000 He's sending them, these messengers, these apostles, who are preaching to them the good news of the Lord Jesus. 00:07:20.080 --> 00:07:23.780 He confirms the truth of which they're preaching by signs and wonders. 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:27.040 And God gives strength to Saul and Barnabas. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:35.080 And when the tide changes, and suddenly things go against them, they don't suddenly run away when it gets difficult. 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:44.379 They don't lie down in front of the lies, but they speak openly, boldly, clearly. 00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:51.519 Which means that clearly, there's some physical threat, isn't there? 00:07:51.659 --> 00:07:55.939 You don't speak boldly, unless there is some threat. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:08:00.680 And the gospel that they are preaching, we're told, is the word of God's grace. 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:03.540 And the Iconians don't deserve this. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:09.819 But God, in his mercy, is offering to them eternal life through his Son. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:15.060 And he's offering to them forgiveness of sins, and the hope of glory, 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:19.519 and the transforming presence of his Holy Spirit through the gospel, as he does today. 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:23.939 Wherever the gospel is preached, it is divisive. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:33.480 The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for some people, is like a breath of life. 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:38.259 It's like fresh, life-giving oxygen. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:43.720 But to others, the gospel of the Lord Jesus is poisonous cyanide. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:53.639 And it's the hearing of the gospel that always has this paradoxical effect on its hearers. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:09:01.300 The gospel of the Lord Jesus always brings about unity, and it always brings about division. 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:06.460 And whenever God truly reveals his Son through the preaching of the gospel, 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:08.980 it creates unity and division. 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:12.779 It did in the life and teaching of Jesus, didn't it? 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:18.240 It did in the life and teaching of the apostles, and it will do so in your life and in my life. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:21.980 The Bible is thoroughly realistic. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:27.279 And division is not nice. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:32.240 And division is a miserable reality. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:36.679 It shows our terrible perversity. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:46.439 That the gospel of God, which ought to be the source of such true unity and true joy, 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:49.459 becomes the object of such division. 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:59.780 But I want you to see that the division it causes doesn't show that Paul and Barnabas were defective in their work. 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:08.580 It wasn't that Paul and Barnabas needed to learn to speak in a more gracious, more relevant way. 00:10:09.660 --> 00:10:11.019 Exactly the opposite is true. 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:16.340 Paul and Barnabas were being true to the word of Jesus Christ, 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:18.160 and that is why the division took place. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:24.220 As a church, we cannot serve Jesus Christ, 00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:26.639 and be at peace with the world. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:30.280 Or as the apostle James says to each one of us, 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:34.480 do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity, it's war with God? 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:38.019 Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.540 makes themselves an enemy of God. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:46.060 So when these threats rise to abuse and physical violence, 00:10:46.060 --> 00:10:47.540 what do Paul and Barnabas do? 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.180 Do they flee? 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:52.720 Do they look for a quiet and easy spot? 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:58.600 Well, no, they continue preaching the gospel. 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:02.200 Verse 7, God is here opening a door of faith. 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:07.720 It's very interesting to see when the apostles stay in Acts, 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.980 and when they speak boldly, 00:11:09.400 --> 00:11:10.840 and when they get up and move on. 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:15.980 And I think what governs their choices is clear in the second episode. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:18.259 So let's look at verses 8 to 20. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:20.379 8 to 20. 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:26.000 And the first thing that happens in Lystra is a repeat. 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:30.340 It's a repeat of what we've seen in Acts before. 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:35.660 This miracle is a carbon copy of the miracle that Peter did at the temple. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:37.340 Do you remember when he was there with Peter and John? 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.080 Silver and gold I don't have, 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:42.840 but this is what I give to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:43.820 Get up and walk. 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:49.740 The apostle looks at him, orders him up, and he leaps. 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:52.660 The reaction is very different here, isn't it? 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:55.360 In Jerusalem, Peter was arrested. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.660 But in Lystra, can you see? 00:11:57.560 --> 00:11:58.300 What's the reaction? 00:11:58.540 --> 00:12:00.400 Well, they want to make Paul and Barnabas gods. 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:04.399 They want to make them gods. 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:10.480 I have never had that response to my preacher. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:15.360 Geoff Thomas has been preaching the gospel for 60, 70 years. 00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:16.659 60 years, we'll say. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:19.299 I suspect he's never had this response. 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:20.919 Reuben might have, but I haven't. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:26.460 They say, don't they, that gods have come down to us in human form. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:30.620 They're called Barnabas Zeus, Paul Hermes. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.180 The priests go off, they get cows and garlands. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:36.000 You might think that's an unusual reaction. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:37.940 But there's a legend in the area. 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:41.840 And the legend in the area is that decades before, 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:46.000 Zeus and Hermes had assumed human form. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:50.519 They'd visited the town of Lystra, the people of Lystra. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.900 They'd looked for hospitality. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.860 And Hermes and Zeus came house after house, 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.500 and they were not welcome. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.720 They received no hospitality. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:00.600 They visited a thousand homes, 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:04.879 until finally one poor elderly couple brought them in, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.240 fed them, and gave them hospitality. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:09.899 And Zeus and Hermes then took them out onto their veranda 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:12.480 and destroyed all their neighbours with fire 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:15.560 and transformed their hovel into a local temple. 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:19.579 So you could see, at this point, 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.319 with that legend that has grown up, 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:25.159 that the locals are motivated towards hospitality. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.519 Now, I imagine 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:33.079 that there are many church leaders 00:13:33.079 --> 00:13:34.979 that would have loved this. 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:40.879 They would have loved to have seen this local religious expression. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.700 They would have received the garlands 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:47.920 and overlooked the sacrifices 00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:50.220 and gone home to their hotel that night 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:51.740 thinking things have gone very well. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.560 There's things to learn, 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.600 but things are marvellous. 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.420 They write the email. 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.759 They send it off to their supporters. 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.899 They say it's remarkable. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:59.840 But Paul and Barnabas, 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.819 they see the sacrifices 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:02.720 and they spring literally into action. 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:03.360 Verse 14, 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:05.059 they tear their garments. 00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:06.340 Why are you doing this, man? 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.179 We are men of like nature, 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:10.399 like you. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:11.179 We're just like you. 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:13.659 And we bring you good news 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.860 that you should turn from these vain, 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:18.539 empty things to the living God 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:21.399 who made the heavens and earth 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:23.500 and the sea and all that is in them. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:27.759 You don't tear your clothes 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:30.019 unless you're in the presence of blasphemy. 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:33.000 And Paul and Barnabas do not say, 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:34.720 what you're doing is wrong. 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.860 Ah, ah, ah. 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.559 This isn't wise. 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.679 They tear their clothes. 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.039 More than that, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.200 they rush into the crowd 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:46.019 and they physically try to stop the crowd 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.460 from offering sacrifices. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:50.019 It's the second time 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.820 in the first missionary journey 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.940 that the gospel has come 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:53.620 into confrontation 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.420 with non-Christian religions. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.000 And both times are really helpful to us 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.720 because they help us think, 00:15:01.900 --> 00:15:03.700 how are we to think of other religions? 00:15:05.880 --> 00:15:06.820 And the truth is this, 00:15:07.520 --> 00:15:09.980 they are not neutral exercises. 00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:15.280 Other religions are not harmless expressions 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:17.539 of a universal spiritual impulse. 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:20.419 According to the Bible, 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:21.379 they are futile 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:23.579 and they are blasphemous 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:26.759 because they steal glory 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:28.539 from the true and the living God. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:31.059 And the apostle, 00:15:31.599 --> 00:15:34.000 he's got no regard 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.679 for how ancient 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.939 and well-established 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:38.000 these beliefs are. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:40.139 He regards the religions 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.199 as false, 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:43.139 empty, 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:46.000 spiritually hazardous. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.679 And verse 15, 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:50.279 the aim of the gospel 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.339 is to turn people 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:52.279 away 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.779 from these vain 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.740 and empty things 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.680 to the living God. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.379 It's not kindness, 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:00.360 is it? 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:02.419 To say, 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.860 keep going for a moment 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.159 with these vain 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.519 and empty things. 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.600 They're dead, 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.360 they're worthless. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.539 They cannot bring you 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.379 eternal life, 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:14.180 they cannot bring you 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:14.560 forgiveness 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.440 and grace. 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.120 What you need to do 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.879 is turn away 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.840 from those things 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.580 and those rituals 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:22.960 to the transforming hope 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.540 that we have 00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.300 in Jesus Christ. 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:27.440 And I think 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.480 what's really striking 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.180 about this episode 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:30.160 is we are given 00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:30.800 a glimpse 00:16:30.800 --> 00:16:31.700 into the heart 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.720 of Paul and Barnabas. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.520 We are given 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:34.920 a glimpse 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:35.860 into this man. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.280 What motivates 00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:38.180 this man? 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.180 What motivates 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:41.000 Paul and Barnabas? 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:42.580 It is not so much 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:44.200 results 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:46.900 and it's not so much 00:16:46.900 --> 00:16:47.420 numbers. 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:51.219 it's not even 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:51.679 so much 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.439 his love 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.039 for these people 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.799 that he's never met. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.899 Those things 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.500 are present 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:59.039 but what burns 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.139 brightest 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.679 in the apostle's 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.139 heart 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.839 is a love 00:17:03.839 --> 00:17:04.559 and a zeal 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.200 for the glory 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.680 of God. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.759 And he cannot 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.420 bear it 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.579 and they cannot 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.200 bear it 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.960 when they see 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.920 God's name 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.700 soiled. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.119 And he's 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.859 filled with 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.740 jealousy 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:20.119 that God 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.199 should be 00:17:21.199 --> 00:17:22.219 treated as God 00:17:22.219 --> 00:17:24.099 and his name 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:24.859 would be treated 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.479 as holy. 00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:27.259 It's a personal 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.519 injury to them 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.539 when they see 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:31.259 God dishonoured. 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.679 And that's why 00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:36.099 they do this 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.139 incredibly dangerous 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.500 thing. 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.240 And I'm aware 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.719 today 00:17:41.719 --> 00:17:43.119 and we live 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:43.459 in a city 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:43.740 don't we 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.039 that is 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:46.620 rightly 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:47.259 nervous 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.299 of religious 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.160 fanaticism. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.259 But we need 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.680 to remind 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.120 ourselves 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:53.880 that zeal 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.720 for the glory 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.319 and the name 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.799 of the living 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.180 God 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.180 is a defining 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:58.759 mark 00:17:58.759 --> 00:18:00.220 of all 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.700 who belong 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.120 to the living 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:01.460 God. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.120 Do you remember 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.620 what it was said 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.259 of the Lord 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.559 Jesus? 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.680 He said it 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.279 of himself 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.000 in the words 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.519 of the psalm. 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:09.880 He says 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.980 zeal for your 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.360 house 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:11.840 our Lord 00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:12.560 consumes me. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.340 The insults 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:16.740 that should 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.800 fall on him 00:18:17.800 --> 00:18:19.760 fall on me. 00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:20.700 So in verse 15 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.340 we hear this 00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:22.020 first Christian 00:18:22.020 --> 00:18:22.460 sermon 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.380 ever preached 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:23.960 to out and out 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.500 pagans 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.260 possibly illiterate 00:18:26.260 --> 00:18:26.540 people 00:18:26.540 --> 00:18:27.380 probably illiterate 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:27.700 people 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.440 who've never 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:28.860 heard of the 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.300 Old Testament. 00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:30.480 They've never 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.040 heard of Jesus 00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:31.500 Christ. 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.460 They've been 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.120 speaking of Jesus 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.820 but now they go 00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:36.400 right back to 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:36.720 basics. 00:18:36.840 --> 00:18:37.160 I don't have 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:37.540 time to go 00:18:37.540 --> 00:18:38.160 through it fully 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:38.960 but look at 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.519 verses 15 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.040 to 17. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.580 There's four 00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:41.080 points to 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:41.480 this sermon. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.900 He tells them 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.279 first of all 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.820 God is your 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.200 creator. 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:45.880 He made you. 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:47.840 He's transcendent 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.540 above all things. 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.019 Number two 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.660 he is sovereign. 00:18:52.040 --> 00:18:52.759 God rules 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.820 every person 00:18:53.820 --> 00:18:54.480 and every nation. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.060 Thirdly 00:18:55.060 --> 00:18:55.960 God has 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.040 revealed himself 00:18:57.040 --> 00:18:58.820 and God 00:18:58.820 --> 00:18:59.160 wishes 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.680 to be known. 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.779 And fourthly 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.580 God is full 00:19:03.580 --> 00:19:04.100 of goodness. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.820 Full of mercy 00:19:05.820 --> 00:19:06.240 and full of 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.560 kindness. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:08.139 and he 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.559 doesn't just 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.259 satisfy your 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.759 stomach but 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.359 he satisfies 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:11.139 your heart 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.000 with gladness. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.200 It's a lovely 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.200 message isn't 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.399 it? 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.019 A lovely 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.399 message. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.480 God made 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:18.700 you. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.559 God rules 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.419 over all. 00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.259 God has 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.079 revealed himself 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.200 and wishes 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.019 to be known 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.879 and God is 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.460 full of goodness. 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.079 What's the 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.419 response? 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.139 Verse 19 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:30.539 and 20 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.419 it's monumental 00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:31.899 fickleness. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.019 The same 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.519 people who 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.240 want to make 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.139 them gods 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.880 turn and 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.700 very quickly 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.259 try to kill 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.500 Paul 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:41.340 by stoning 00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:41.580 him. 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:42.520 They think 00:19:42.520 --> 00:19:42.900 he's dead 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.200 so they 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.940 drag him 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.500 outside the 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:44.780 city. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:45.400 Somehow 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.240 Paul survives 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.000 and the 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.560 next day 00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:49.240 he goes on 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.480 to preach 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:49.840 the gospel 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.320 in Derby. 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:53.920 I wonder 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.300 if you were 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:55.780 writing a 00:19:55.780 --> 00:19:56.259 letter to 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.600 the folks 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.240 back home 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.000 an email 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.380 update 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:58.900 I wonder 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.180 if you 00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.540 would say 00:19:59.540 --> 00:20:00.060 God had 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:00.640 opened a 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.000 door for 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.440 the gospel. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:05.779 We come 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:05.940 to the 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.100 third 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.400 point 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.740 and the 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:06.960 last 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.259 section 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.559 verses 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.000 21 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.140 to 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.420 28 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:08.559 is 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:08.720 very 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.080 important. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.120 After 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:11.680 two years 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.080 of 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.180 pioneer 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.580 missionary 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:14.100 work 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.480 there's 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.980 one final 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.200 thing 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.460 to do 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:15.860 and that 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.160 is to 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.640 ensure 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.440 that the 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.000 door of 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.420 the gospel 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.840 remains 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.200 open. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.019 Let me read 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.360 three of the 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.539 verses. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.120 Verse 21 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:25.279 and when 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.599 they preached 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:25.939 the gospel 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:26.239 to that 00:20:26.239 --> 00:20:26.799 city and 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.039 had made 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.279 many 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:27.719 disciples 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.239 they returned 00:20:28.239 --> 00:20:28.679 to Lystra 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.579 to Iconium 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.179 to Antioch. 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:32.299 Can you believe 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.500 it? 00:20:32.659 --> 00:20:32.859 They went 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.219 back to 00:20:33.219 --> 00:20:33.739 these places 00:20:33.739 --> 00:20:35.199 strengthening 00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:35.819 the souls 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.079 of the 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.479 disciples 00:20:36.479 --> 00:20:37.239 encouraging 00:20:37.239 --> 00:20:37.599 them to 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:37.879 continue 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.099 in the 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.299 faith 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.859 and saying 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.339 that through 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:39.879 many 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.799 tribulations 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.419 to write 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.139 we must 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.500 enter the 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:42.879 kingdom of 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.119 God. 00:20:44.699 --> 00:20:44.939 And when 00:20:44.939 --> 00:20:45.079 they'd 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.319 appointed 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:45.939 elders for 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:46.139 them in 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:46.759 every church 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.219 with prayer 00:20:47.219 --> 00:20:47.799 and fasting 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.319 they committed 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.859 them to the 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.299 Lord in 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.559 whom they 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:49.939 believed. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:54.380 It's 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:54.720 interesting 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.059 isn't it 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.840 that when 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:56.559 we want 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:56.940 to bring 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.480 the gospel 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.140 to a 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:58.680 place 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.620 what has 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.220 often been 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.600 done 00:21:01.600 --> 00:21:02.840 is they 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:03.259 have a 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.539 mission. 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:07.820 That's 00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.700 what the 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.019 evangelical 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.500 church has 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:09.680 done. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:09.920 They have 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.279 a mission 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:10.640 in an 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.000 area. 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.019 It's 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.240 interesting 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.620 that isn't 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:12.880 what the 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.420 apostle Paul 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.640 does. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.059 He 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:15.100 establishes 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.640 churches. 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.120 At the 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:18.299 end of 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.640 two years 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.059 work in 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.480 Galatia 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.240 province 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.700 what does 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.259 the 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.480 apostle 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:21.740 leave 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.240 behind? 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:23.460 Churches. 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.500 Churches 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:25.920 are the 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.539 flower of 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:26.980 the gospel. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.000 And not 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.400 missionary 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.160 organizations 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.660 not 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.259 parachurch 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.860 organizations 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:33.460 but local 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.039 churches. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.620 And so 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.120 the question 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.640 that I'm 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.099 asking at 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.400 the end 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:38.819 of Acts 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.420 14 and 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:39.660 you should 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.019 be asking 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.420 too is 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.960 how on 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.640 earth can 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.000 these 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.519 churches 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.099 survive? 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.799 I mean 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.120 there's not 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:46.579 a believer 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.339 in Galatia 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.299 who's known 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.680 the gospel 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.000 for more 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.339 than two 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.819 years. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.079 And these 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.299 new 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.839 congregations 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.160 they are 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.779 the definition 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.720 of fragile 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.940 and they're 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.660 facing bitter 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.519 and vicious 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.420 physical 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.039 opposition 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.200 and persecution. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:00.819 How are 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.019 they going 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.240 to keep 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.480 going? 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.119 How can 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.019 Paul leave 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.279 them on 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.759 their own? 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.519 Surely he 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:05.880 needs to 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.680 establish a 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.180 head office 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.660 or something. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.500 And so I 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:09.819 want us to 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.200 see as we 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.640 close 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:12.759 in three 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.299 ways 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.799 churches 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.299 that the 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.779 apostle 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.720 provides 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:18.839 for these 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.119 churches 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:19.740 to enable 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.379 that the 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:20.899 door of 00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.139 faith 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.759 remain open. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.639 Three 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.119 things he 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.379 does. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:24.720 Three 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.299 gifts he 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.700 gives them. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.240 Three 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.779 foundations 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.799 to make 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.180 sure that 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.480 churches 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.059 not only 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.259 survive 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.599 but 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:30.919 churches 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.539 thrive 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.159 and grow. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.240 So here 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:34.480 are the 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.819 three 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.480 foundations 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.419 for growing 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:36.799 churches. 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.399 Number one 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:37.900 the 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.400 apostolic 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.800 teaching. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:40.820 Notice 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:40.800 ! 00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:40.880 Notice 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.740 verse 21 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.820 and they 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:43.340 go around 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.940 and what 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.080 are they 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:44.320 trying to 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:44.400 do? 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.560 They're 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:44.800 trying to 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.180 strengthen, 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:45.800 encourage 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:47.259 and exhort. 00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:48.720 And they 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.120 know that 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:49.660 the natural 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.100 drift of 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.540 their hearts 00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:50.880 and my 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.100 hearts 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.440 is to 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:51.920 slide 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.400 back. 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.060 And they 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:54.540 know that 00:22:54.540 --> 00:22:54.880 you and 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.240 I go 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.880 lukewarm 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.360 very, 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:57.259 very quickly 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.060 and so 00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:58.340 what do 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:58.660 they do? 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:58.840 They 00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.360 encourage, 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.740 they 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.240 strengthen, 00:23:00.800 --> 00:23:01.440 they exhort, 00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:02.940 continue in 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.440 the faith. 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.120 Do not 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.460 give up. 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.320 And through 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.599 the New 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:07.960 Testament 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:10.159 this 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:10.659 phrase 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:10.960 keeps 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.259 being 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.779 used 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.079 to 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.379 continue 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:12.799 in 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.200 the 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.519 faith, 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:13.839 the 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.339 tradition 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.879 is another 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.119 way of 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.419 put it, 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.379 the deposit, 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.259 the faith. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.819 It's a 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.159 recognisable 00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:20.939 body of 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:21.319 teaching. 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.379 We say 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:24.559 it in 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:24.679 the 00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.059 creed. 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.099 What do 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.359 you say 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:27.859 to these 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.539 people who 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:28.679 have 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:29.399 received 00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:29.639 this 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.000 teaching 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.779 and face 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.279 violence? 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:31.859 What do 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.200 you say 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.839 to people 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.039 who have 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.359 watched 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.539 the 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.899 Apostle 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.099 Paul 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.359 being 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:34.819 beat 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.179 into 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:36.279 unconsciousness? 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.079 Paul 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.339 says 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:37.559 verse 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.099 22, 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.180 through 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.519 many 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.099 tribulations 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.700 we must 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.139 enter the 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:41.339 kingdom 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.539 of 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:41.799 God. 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.500 And I 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:43.940 think that 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.539 really is 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.099 the summary 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.619 verse of 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:45.879 the whole 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.279 chapter. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:48.940 Through 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.559 many 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.379 tribulations 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.740 we must 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.240 enter the 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.599 kingdom of 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:52.859 God. 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.200 Want to 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.519 see what 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.920 it's like 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.619 for a 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:56.940 door to 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.319 open for 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.079 the faith? 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.660 Through 00:23:59.660 --> 00:23:59.940 many 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.420 tribulations 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:00.839 we must 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.180 enter the 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.480 kingdom of 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.720 God. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:01.759 God. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.440 If I 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.660 can put it 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.000 like this 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.740 there are 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.900 two sides 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.660 to following 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.180 Jesus. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.559 On the 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:10.960 one side 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.279 God has 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.620 opened a 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.000 door for 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.319 us and 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.620 we will 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.100 enter 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:14.680 through that 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.000 into the 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.360 kingdom of 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:15.640 God. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.759 The path 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.140 that you 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.620 walk as 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.019 a follower 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.279 of the 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.720 Lord Jesus 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.600 today and 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.019 the path 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.759 that I 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.059 walk 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.319 each day 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.180 takes us 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:25.339 a day's 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.140 march nearer 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.279 home to 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.559 the kingdom 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.000 of God. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.720 And we 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.120 will be with 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:30.799 Christ and 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.279 we will be 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.639 with one 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.259 another and 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.480 there will 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.779 be no 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.399 pain and 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:34.019 no sickness 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.799 and no 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.319 death and 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.899 no sorrow. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.599 And we 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.240 will see 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.879 him face 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.359 to face 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.159 with renewed 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:41.859 redeemed 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.500 restored 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.119 resurrection 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:43.740 bodies. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.480 Every day 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.039 is a 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.319 day's 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:48.799 march near 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.139 a home. 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:51.139 It's a 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:51.440 path of 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.039 joy but 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.379 there's 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:52.639 another 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.139 side to 00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:53.599 the path. 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.539 And that 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:55.980 path that 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.379 we walk 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.399 towards the 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:57.799 kingdom of 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.240 God it 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.720 is full 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.399 of well 00:24:59.399 --> 00:24:59.659 you know 00:24:59.659 --> 00:24:59.899 it's 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.099 done to 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.639 you trials 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.360 and tribulations 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:02.520 and setbacks 00:25:02.520 --> 00:25:03.200 and sorrows 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.940 and difficulties. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.000 And not 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.680 just one 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.500 not just 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.120 two but 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.680 many 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.320 tribulations 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:09.900 isn't it? 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.160 And do you 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.540 notice that 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:14.420 in Iconium 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:14.720 it's not 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.100 just the 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.740 apostle who 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.040 is the 00:25:16.040 --> 00:25:16.480 target of 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.840 opposition 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.400 and persecution 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.200 verse 2 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.520 it's the 00:25:18.520 --> 00:25:18.880 brethren 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.480 they face 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.060 the persecution 00:25:20.060 --> 00:25:20.380 too. 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.340 The 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:22.660 Christians 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.460 in Iconium 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.759 who are 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.060 going to be 00:25:25.060 --> 00:25:25.700 misunderstood 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.540 and mistreated 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:26.820 and in 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.460 verse 20 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.960 in Lystra 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.600 it's really 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:29.960 interesting 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.380 where they 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:30.940 drag 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.400 Paul's 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:31.840 body 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.500 out 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:32.819 it's 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.680 written in 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.059 such a 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.240 way 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.660 literally 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.640 that the 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.299 disciples 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:38.420 don't gather 00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:39.340 round Paul 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:39.900 once the 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.380 danger 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.360 has passed 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.420 but at the 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.180 same time 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.480 as the 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:43.840 danger 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:45.940 after he 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.539 passes out 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.059 to kind of 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.759 literally it's 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.240 this picture 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.860 of a 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.360 protective 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.079 ring around 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.480 the apostle 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.039 Paul 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:54.099 and this 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.519 too is a 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:54.839 door of 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.000 faith 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.319 here is 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.779 the thing 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:57.460 what the 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.920 apostle is 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.319 teaching 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.180 them and 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.680 us 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.379 is that 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.200 these very 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.899 tribulations 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.599 through which 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.240 God is going 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.740 to bring us 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.039 into the 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.420 kingdom of 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.759 God 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:09.779 it is 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.740 glory 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.480 through 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.180 suffering 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:14.920 he's going 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.599 to bring us 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.220 to heaven 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.339 those who 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.779 have trusted 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.379 Christ 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:20.600 but the 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.040 path to 00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:21.480 heaven 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.460 every single 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.140 one of us 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:24.740 faces sorrows 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.440 and difficulties 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:27.420 and I 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.200 don't know 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.900 what your 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.800 sorrows and 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:30.480 difficulties 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.800 and tribulations 00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:32.480 and trials 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.280 are right now 00:26:33.280 --> 00:26:36.360 for some 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:37.100 those 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.760 tribulations 00:26:37.760 --> 00:26:38.380 will be an 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:38.820 opportunity 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:39.960 for massive 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.320 self-absorption 00:26:41.320 --> 00:26:41.900 and bitterness 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:44.880 but for others 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.360 they are the 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:45.800 path 00:26:45.800 --> 00:26:47.360 that leads 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:47.760 to joy 00:26:47.760 --> 00:26:48.140 in heaven 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:50.480 he puts 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.000 it more 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.400 boldly 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:51.840 for some 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.100 these 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.660 tribulations 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.380 are a 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.840 path 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:55.380 for hell 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.759 and for 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.020 some 00:26:57.020 --> 00:26:57.259 they are 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.560 a path 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:57.980 to heaven 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.840 this is 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:00.460 the apostolic 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:00.840 teaching 00:27:00.840 --> 00:27:01.259 and it's 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.759 the foundation 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.060 of the 00:27:02.060 --> 00:27:02.380 church 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:05.000 second 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.300 thing 00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:05.620 I think 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:05.800 is a 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.040 little bit 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:06.420 surprising 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.000 and it's 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.240 this 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.680 the second 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.020 foundation 00:27:08.020 --> 00:27:08.640 is pastoral 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.120 oversight 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.620 look at 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.259 verse 23 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:13.280 how do 00:27:13.280 --> 00:27:13.820 churches 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:15.020 survive 00:27:15.020 --> 00:27:17.120 well 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.560 verse 23 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.000 the apostle 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.579 appoints 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:18.919 elders 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:20.319 so that the 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:20.799 gospel will 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.399 continue being 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:21.720 preached 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:24.720 the apostle 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.119 does not 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.779 impose people 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.500 from outside 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.200 the congregation 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.559 they are 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.639 appointed from 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:29.940 within 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:32.460 he does not 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.720 appoint one 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.919 elder for one 00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:35.559 congregation 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.259 it says in 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.099 every congregation 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.700 they appointed 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.460 elders 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.579 as corporate 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.099 leaders 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:42.939 some will 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:43.439 work full 00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:43.599 time 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:43.879 some will 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.359 work part 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.619 time 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.799 the word 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.240 appoint has 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.759 two meanings 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.299 it means to 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.019 put your 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.619 hand up to 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:48.959 vote 00:27:48.959 --> 00:27:49.679 and to put 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.259 your hand 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.879 down to 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:52.179 lay hands 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:52.639 on someone 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:54.399 so I 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:54.959 take it 00:27:54.959 --> 00:27:55.219 what 00:27:55.219 --> 00:27:56.259 Paul and 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.679 Barnabas did 00:27:56.679 --> 00:27:57.059 they didn't 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.379 come into 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:57.819 the congregation 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.279 and say 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.740 well this guy 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.199 looks good 00:27:59.199 --> 00:28:00.379 let's make him 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:00.699 an elder 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:02.679 can you see 00:28:02.679 --> 00:28:03.279 there is 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.859 both 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:06.099 congregational 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:06.980 involvement 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.859 and there is 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.559 outside 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.480 authority as 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.699 well 00:28:10.699 --> 00:28:12.019 which lays 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.459 hands on 00:28:12.459 --> 00:28:12.679 them 00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:14.699 later on 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.179 when Paul is 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:15.639 writing to 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:15.919 Timothy 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.279 he says 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.619 these are 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:17.219 the qualifications 00:28:17.219 --> 00:28:17.839 that men 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.359 need when you 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.619 look to 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.299 appoint elders 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:20.199 they must be 00:28:20.199 --> 00:28:20.699 people who 00:28:20.699 --> 00:28:21.059 have 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:22.259 demonstrable 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.719 moral 00:28:22.719 --> 00:28:23.339 integrity 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.859 they must be 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.139 people who 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.679 are loyal 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.219 to the 00:28:26.219 --> 00:28:26.719 apostolic 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:27.179 words 00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:28.559 they must be 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.039 people who 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.500 are able to 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.039 teach others 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:32.480 so I want you 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.939 to see this 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:33.419 church 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:33.939 government 00:28:33.939 --> 00:28:35.319 matters 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:37.799 and I would 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.299 argue that the 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.179 form of church 00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:39.500 government 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.079 matters 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.779 Paul leaves 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.159 the church 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.779 with apostolic 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.200 teaching 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:44.240 pastoral oversight 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.740 and the third 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.319 and final thing 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.519 here's the 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.059 most important 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.619 thing at all 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:49.299 he offers to 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.679 them the 00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.379 protection of 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:50.759 God 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:53.399 can you see 00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.899 what he does 00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:56.519 he prays 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.220 and he commits 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.679 them to the 00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:57.960 Lord 00:28:57.960 --> 00:29:02.279 the most important 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.200 thing we can say 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.139 about the church 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.939 is that it's not 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.860 a human invention 00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:08.980 every church 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.980 this congregation 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.960 has been created 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.120 by God 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:14.519 sustained 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.480 by God 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:17.940 ruled by God 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.740 through his word 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:22.220 and humanly 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.620 speaking 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:24.039 it is just 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.000 absurd 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:26.480 for you to 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.860 think that we 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.360 can continue 00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:28.120 on without God 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:30.039 as it was 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.340 for these 00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:30.960 congregations 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.559 and ultimately 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.299 their protection 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.099 and our protection 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.680 does not come 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.579 through legal 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.299 or structural 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.940 means 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.019 the gospel 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.059 moves forward 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.019 through tribulation 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.819 as the gospel 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.319 is preached 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.220 and Christians 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.960 encourage one 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.220 another 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.799 and strengthen 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.240 one another 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.039 to face the 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.419 suffering 00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:46.440 and pray 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:46.740 for the 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.200 blessing of 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.480 God 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:49.819 so this is 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.419 what it looks 00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:50.839 like 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.099 for God 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.980 to open up 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.319 a door 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.819 of faith 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:57.699 it is risky 00:29:57.699 --> 00:30:00.099 it is unsafe 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:02.019 it is even 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.619 frightening 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:06.539 but it is 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.259 through many 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.899 tribulations 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.919 that we must 00:30:08.919 --> 00:30:09.459 enter the 00:30:09.459 --> 00:30:09.719 kingdom 00:30:09.719 --> 00:30:10.419 of heaven 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:13.579 and the 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.000 church in 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.519 this country 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:14.859 particularly 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.559 in the UK 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:17.519 is very 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.099 cautious 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:20.939 and churches 00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:21.639 like ours 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.139 have become 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:23.119 very risk 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.579 averse 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.239 and careful 00:30:24.239 --> 00:30:24.859 and prudent 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:29.599 and I think 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.199 Acts 13 00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:30.719 and 14 00:30:30.719 --> 00:30:31.559 calls for 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.079 risk 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.679 and it 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:33.359 calls for 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.099 boldness 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:36.359 last Sunday 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.139 Christchurch 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:37.639 Lincoln 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.240 began 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:40.579 this Sunday 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.500 Grove Chapel 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.179 Camberwell 00:30:42.179 --> 00:30:42.659 joined 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:44.259 next Sunday 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.859 there is a 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.519 new minister 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.359 coming to 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.159 Emmanuel Brentford 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:48.799 Ian Clements 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:50.559 and these are 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.699 really really 00:30:51.699 --> 00:30:52.599 encouraging days 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.139 for us 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:56.040 but remember 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.880 Acts 13 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.480 and 14 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.580 at tribulation 00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:00.440 trials 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.540 are coming 00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:02.280 will come 00:31:02.280 --> 00:31:02.900 have come 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:05.060 and the idea 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.500 that there is 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.040 going to be a 00:31:06.040 --> 00:31:06.500 time when 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:06.920 everything is 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.180 going to be 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.759 safe and 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.140 secure 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:09.740 and then 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.320 we'll act 00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:10.920 and then 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.420 we'll risk 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.900 well it means 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.259 that God 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.720 isn't actually 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.620 adequate for us 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:14.820 because it is 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.580 through many 00:31:15.580 --> 00:31:16.140 tribulations 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.640 that we must 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.060 enter the 00:31:18.060 --> 00:31:18.680 kingdom of God 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:20.800 so do not 00:31:20.800 --> 00:31:21.320 be the spirit 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:21.920 do not be 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.540 surprised 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:24.119 do not be 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:24.740 dismayed 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:26.920 do not be 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.420 deterred 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.720 let's pray 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.160 thank you 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.160 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:59.140 Thank you.