WEBVTT

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 Thank you, Aaron.

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 A round of applause to the Congo team.

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 We welcome them up.

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 Every exam and every big thing in life, we pray a lot beforehand.

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 But after, we don't actually pray and celebrate on Thanksgiving.

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 So we want to take a moment just to thank God that, first of all, you guys came back safely.

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 All glory to God.

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 Thank God that you guys had an incredible time.

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 And we're going to have about 10 minutes.

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 I want each of you to share.

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 I haven't prepared them at all.

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 So I'm going to have the CEO kick us off.

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 One word.

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 One word only.

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 Very tough to describe your trip.

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 One word.

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 We're going to go around really quickly.

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 Go, Erica.

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 One word.

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 These two.

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 Two words, maybe.

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 Okay, I'm very gracious today.

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 One phrase.

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 There we go.

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 One phrase.

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 One sentence.

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 I think for my phrases, God walks with us.

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 Should I elaborate or is it okay?

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 Elaborate.

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 Okay.

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 We actually faced a lot of challenges throughout the trip.

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 And there were a lot of logistical nightmares and just random issues here and there.

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 And safety issues as well.

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 But we didn't really have a lot of backup plans either.

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 So I think, like, in the end, everything was fine and everything.

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 Yeah.

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 God answers prayers.

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 And we just felt like he walked with us.

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 And, yeah.

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 More examples to come from the other team members.

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 God walks with us.

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 I like that.

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 Aiden?

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 Okay, for Aiden.

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 My phrase would be, do what you can.

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 You know?

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 And we really experienced this when we were in the Congo just because that place is just a very, it's a very rich area.

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 But it's also a very poor area in various different ways.

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 I think when you do what you can and you let God, you let God fill in that gap, that's when he's going to show up the most.

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 Yeah.

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 Yeah.

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 My phrase would be, goodness of God.

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 That was one of the worship songs that we did when we were there.

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 And also, I think it really reflects on how Joyce and Henri, who run New Sight, they just trusted and just went there and did it.

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 And they just experienced the goodness of God.

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 And they just made, God just made everything possible there.

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 Yeah.

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 Yeah.

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 Just before you guys went off, I think I spoke to, I met with Aiden and God, and I was like, the main thing you can do is encourage, encourage Joyce and Henri for the work that they're doing.

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 And so, yeah, so glad that you could see that.

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 Justina?

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 The brains?

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 Be humble and God will do the exaltation.

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 Yeah.

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 Be humble and God will do the exaltation.

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 Because we were actually expecting to have, like, mid-50s men doctors to be appearing in our course that are, like, really high in the position.

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 And we were just, like, three langmuis.

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 Three little girls.

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 Four little girls.

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 And two young men.

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 But, yeah, we forgot.

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 Because we were told to probably promote ourselves and tell how good we are on paper, like, on CV.

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 But the morning we did our spiritual devotion.

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 Yeah.

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 I also have the verse.

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 I think I found it.

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 It says in Matthew chapter 23, verse 10 to 12, those who are humbled themselves will be exalted.

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 And we actually forgot to promote ourselves that day on the first day of teaching.

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 We did not promote at all.

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 And it turns out they didn't disrespect us at all.

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 And it was a good exchange of experience as well with them.

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 Wow.

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 Humility on both sides.

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 Yeah.

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 It's amazing.

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 Godfrey, what was it like to watch everyone else serve?

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 What were the sunsets like?

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 Did you enjoy the sunsets and the starry nights?

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 Basically all I did.

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 My phrase is trust in God.

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 Because there's a lot of things that we've set out to do that didn't go as planned.

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 But then God just made it better at the end.

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 And, yeah, I think that's the attitude that you need when you're in Congo.

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 And, you know, everything can go south.

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 You can't really predict anything.

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 And then, yeah.

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 I think my phrase is I do not recommend monkey meat.

00:04:56.240 --> 00:04:57.760
 Okay, you've got to expand on that.

00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:58.880
 You've got to expand on that.

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 Actually, with that, maybe one moment.

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 We're going to go around one more time.

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 But one moment you really felt God speak to you or a moment that you want to bring back to Hong Kong.

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 You're like, I don't want to forget that.

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 That moment, whether it's in a worship, whether it's monkey meat, that you bring back.

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 And you're like, okay, that was, I felt something new that I wouldn't have felt if I didn't leave Hong Kong.

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 So just a moment that you felt God move.

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 CEO, kick us off again.

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 You're going to go longer.

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 My moment was actually learning about, like, what Justina said about being a humble servant.

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 It was, it's not, like, very, like, shining moment as, like, you would really think about.

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 But I think it hit me pretty hard when I saw it.

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 So one of the things, the issues that we had was getting the mannequins to, like, mannequins for CPR practice and practicals into our hospital.

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 And they were just stuck in the port for weeks.

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 And by prayer and, like, a lot of people and support, we finally got the mannequins to our hospital.

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 And one of the challenges was that, actually, we only had three days of teaching.

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 But on the first two days, they weren't delivered.

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 But we really wanted on the last day.

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 And on the second last day, one of the drivers for the hospital actually offered to drive 24 hours to drive more than 1,000 miles to bring it back.

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 Because it just got released.

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 And he did it out of his own volition without anybody asking him to.

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 Just because he saw how important it was and how, like, it could change, like, so much for us.

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 And then he just did that.

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 He just didn't sleep.

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 And then drove 24 hours.

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 And I just think, like, wow.

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 Without him, I don't think it could have happened.

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 And, like, we don't think about how this is serving God as well.

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 Because for us, we're like, oh, yeah, we're standing here teaching.

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 We come here from Hong Kong.

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 And it's all about, sometimes it's, like, about yourself, you know.

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 And it's easy to make it about yourself.

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 But for him, it's really not.

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 And I think, like, it's a lot to learn from.

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 Yeah.

00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:21.420
 Thank you, Erica.

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 Stay there.

00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:30.020
 I think on this trip, we experienced, like, quite a number of just supernatural things.

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 Like, there were many moments when, and I'm going to talk about one of them.

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 But essentially, when I came to do this project, you might have seen a little few, like, some screenshots of the inventory management system that I made.

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 I was, I was so, I brought, like, all the equipment and everything, and everything was going just fine.

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 And then I had a thought when I was, like, making this program.

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 And I was thinking, like, okay, this could actually be so much better and so much more longer lasting if I had one crucial component that I didn't bring from Hong Kong.

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 And I was sharing this with, like, the team.

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 And I was telling them that I would be extremely disappointed if God had brought me all the way here, only to build something that wouldn't last, like, potentially the lifetime of the organization.

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 And that day after, Godfrey comes into my room with the exact component that I needed.

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 And I had gone into, I had gone into, uh, I had gone into Wesso, which is the city that we were in, in order to find this thing.

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 And then the guy was just like, oh, you want to buy SSD?

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 You have to go to Brazzaville.

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 And I'm like, dude, no way, man.

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 Which is 12 hours away.

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 It's 12 hours away.

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 So obviously we're not going to do that.

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 But then the next day, like, Godfrey comes in and he's like, look at this package that came in from Hong Kong that no one knows who sent it.

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 And no one knows what the reason it was sent for.

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 And it was exactly, like, the SSD that I needed in order to make sure that this project would, like, last the lifetime of the organization.

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 So, dude, it was crazy.

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 It was crazy.

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 Yeah.

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 That's really, I feel like my story, my phrase is do what you can.

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 Because, like, when gaps appear, you just have to trust that the Lord's going to fill those gaps.

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 And, and that you going to this far away place where gaps might even occur is already a step of faith.

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 So, yeah.

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 Gaps.

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 Gabs?

00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:45.199
 Gaps.

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 Gaps.

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 Gaps.

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 Gaps.

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 Gaps.

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 I think for me, just kind of to follow up on the mannequin story, I think for me, one lesson was that just God has a timing for everything and we have to trust in God's timing.

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 because the mannequins didn't come for the first two days of our course,

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 which we were devastated about

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 because the mannequins were for teaching chest compressions

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 and rescue breaths.

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 And back in Hong Kong when we learned how to do it,

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 these were readily available.

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 We learned how to do it with the mannequins.

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 And so we thought it was something that was necessary for the course.

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 But in place of the mannequins, what we had,

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 we just used pillows that were available in the hospital.

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 And we just drew the bones on the plastic bags on top of the pillowcases.

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 And we taught the first two days with that.

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 And I think they were a good replacement tool to teach.

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 And I think God probably also didn't want us to have the mannequins the first two days

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 because it just made the participants know that they could teach back where they were from

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 just with the pillows because they wouldn't have the mannequins.

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 And what we wanted to do was that we wanted to teach them these skills

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 that they could then replicate and teach it to their colleagues back where they were working.

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 So I think that was also just trusting that God has his timing.

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 And if the mannequins came the first day, they might have just thought as well,

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 like, oh, we don't have the mannequins.

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 We can't teach back where we work.

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 So, yeah.

00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:38.240
 Joyce said that when she told the other doctors that the mannequins might be delayed,

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 all the doctors said, we're not going to come if there are no mannequins.

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 So Joyce, like, she was like, okay, just kidding.

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 I'm sure that the mannequins will come during these three days.

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 I'm just going to schedule these three days and just trust that the mannequins are going to come.

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 And they actually did end up coming.

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 Thanks to that one driver who did 24 hours nonstop driving.

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 God is faithful.

00:11:59.620 --> 00:11:59.940
 Justina?

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 And God really loves us and protects us.

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 Because, so Lusanda and I actually had to come back earlier than the rest of the team

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 because we couldn't get annual leaves.

00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.460
 Yeah.

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 So it was just the two girls that had to take the coach bus, which is, like, full of locals.

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 And we had to take the 12-hour ride down from the most north of Congo down to the most south of Congo.

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 And it was just the two of us, no guys with us.

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 So, and we prayed and that there would be angels coming with us.

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 And God answered our prayer.

00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.980
 So, actually, we left on Monday.

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 So, on Sunday, we attended a church where a pastor was preaching in the church.

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 And the moment we arrived at the bus stop, the pastor that actually preached at the church that we went to yesterday

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 also had to go to Brazzaville, the same bus as we did.

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 And also, there were three other people that replaced the number of people that were supposed to, like, travel with us.

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 So there was a policeman that Henri helped to liaise with at the coach station just to look after us.

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 And there was a nun and there was a soldier.

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 And they were right around us.

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 So we were fully protected and we made it really safely down.

00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:23.100
 Yeah.

00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:23.899
 Praise God.

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.879
 All right, final two.

00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.820
 We've got one minute each.

00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.200
 Okay.

00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:27.620
 Go for it.

00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:29.379
 Okay.

00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:32.200
 I'm just going to sprinkle my two cents here and there.

00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:45.180
 So, for the SSD that Aiden talked about, so Joyce, which is the organizer of NewsSight, she is very vigilant and diligent with what she buys.

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 So there's actually a list that we saw of all the cargo that came in.

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 And that was the one item that wasn't on the list.

00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:54.020
 So it was quite miraculous, I think.

00:13:54.019 --> 00:14:07.519
 And another thing about the mannequins is that Joyce had to, like, to make sure the mannequins get here, she, like, kind of used a favor, asked the director of health in Congo to see whether he can do something about it.

00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:11.019
 And she usually doesn't reach out to him because it's kind of, like, all the way high up.

00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:14.500
 But then it alerted him that there was this CPR course.

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:20.639
 So, in fact, right after the course, the director reached out to Joyce and said, oh, can you host this for all of Congo?

00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:25.860
 So it was another silver lining, like, another blessing in disguise, I guess.

00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:35.819
 Yeah, I guess in summary, too, I think that I realized that, I mean, I knew it, but, like, when you have faith and you live with faith, it's almost like a cheat in life.

00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:41.319
 Like, you get access to a random SSD or you have, like, just favors just appear.

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 And even when those things don't happen, like, this really supernatural peace just comes over you.

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:50.059
 It's like you're always winning when you live with faith.

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 And I think, especially in Congo and with the witness of Henri and Joyce, we saw that lived out.

00:14:57.979 --> 00:15:04.059
 And I think for me and maybe for our team, we'll come back to Hong Kong just applying faith more.

00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.699
 Like, just why not?

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 Like, it's almost like you don't get the potential of your life without it.

00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:14.839
 So, yeah, if I have a cheat to get through this hard life, then sweet, I'm going to use it.

00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.399
 Thank you, God.

00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.739
 Thank you, Ellen.

00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.659
 And that was a perfect wrap-up.

00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:23.039
 My last question was actually, you know, what's the one thing you want to bring back to Hong Kong?

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 And I think that's it, to increase your faith, to live out your faith.

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 As a word that, I want to pray for you guys.

00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:30.080
 We're going to pray for that very thing, that you continue to live out in faith.

00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:30.840
 So, God, we pray you.

00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.500
 We praise.

00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.500
 We praise you.

00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.500
 We thank you.

00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.500
 We thank you.

00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.860
 You are the God that walks with us.

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:39.399
 We thank you that we do what we can and you do the rest.

00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:46.919
 We thank you for the goodness of God that you continue to provide for Newside Congo all these years through the calling of Joyce and Henri.

00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:50.919
 We thank you, Lord, that as we humble ourselves, you do the exaltation.

00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:53.779
 We thank you that we can trust in you.

00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.519
 And also that we don't need to eat monkey meat.

00:15:57.120 --> 00:16:00.819
 We thank you, Lord, that you've given us many other meats and vegetables and things to eat.

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:03.779
 But God, more than anything, Lord, I thank you for this group.

00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.759
 I thank you for their heart.

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:05.799
 I thank you for their obedience.

00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:09.379
 Even those who came back today to serve in the worship team.

00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:15.899
 And Lord, may they know that it's the same God that we serve, maybe in different countries, but it's the same God.

00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:18.419
 We might be in different cities, but it's the same church.

00:16:19.339 --> 00:16:23.539
 And Lord, I pray that as they go back into the noise of Hong Kong, into their busy lives and busy works,

00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:26.639
 may they remember those moments that they had in Congo.

00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:31.899
 May they remember the closest of you, that you are with them and that you love them.

00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:35.340
 And Lord, that they continue to be missionaries now that they're in Hong Kong.

00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:42.720
 They have to carry those stories, to carry those things that they learned and saw with them and the places that they work and go to.

00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:43.779
 And Lord, I thank you for this group.

00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.419
 I praise you.

00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.399
 I give you all the glory for all that they did.

00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:51.620
 And I pray for many, many seeds that were planted, Lord, that long after they've gone, years later,

00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:54.240
 they'll continue to use the systems that Aidan had built.

00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:57.399
 We continue to share those stories of how the mannequins arrived.

00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:01.740
 We continue to pray, especially for that driver who drove 24 hours to pick them up.

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:06.220
 And Lord, we thank you for that endurance, that perseverance of love that modeled you, God,

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:09.420
 who came after us all the way from heaven to reach us.

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.380
 And so, Lord, we praise you.

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.359
 We give you all the glory.

00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.200
 We pray this in Jesus' mighty, precious, and beautiful name.

00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:14.799
 Amen.

00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.339
 Amen.

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.579
 One more thing for Maiden.

00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:20.359
 They also have a fundraiser going on.

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:26.579
 Their donations this year are down 60%, but their patient intake has increased 20%.

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:39.799
 And everyone here can tell you that this organization is a hardcore Hong Kong organization running in just not great conditions in the Congo.

00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:45.419
 Like, these people are serious, like, really hardworking, extremely organized, diligent.

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:51.259
 And I just know this because when the last message that Joyce sends every night is at 1 a.m.

00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:53.919
 And by 5, she's already responding to the next thing.

00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:56.279
 She's, like, so on it, you know.

00:17:56.659 --> 00:18:01.440
 And I feel so impressed with how this organization is run.

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:06.440
 And the date of the fundraiser is, what, the 23rd of October?

00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.100
 November.

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.660
 Oh, November.

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:12.320
 It'll be a concert with the Hong Kong Philharmonic after City Hall.

00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.279
 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.000
 Next week on slide.

00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:16.940
 Tickets are donation-based.

00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:17.900
 So, yeah, save your calendar.

00:18:18.580 --> 00:18:19.559
 23rd of November.

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.039
 Concert.

00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:22.600
 City Hall.

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.059
 City Hall.

00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:23.820
 Block your calendars.

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.140
 And they'll be dressed with their chatenges.

00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:27.039
 It's beautiful, guys.

00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.299
 Really good.

00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:29.759
 A round of applause again for the Congo team.

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:33.359
 And we're going to invite Pastor Gabe to come up as he shares the word.

00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.720
 One more prayer for Gabe.

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:40.099
 Have fun linking that to your sermon today.

00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.940
 So, Father, we pray.

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.940
 We stretch our hands.

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.819
 God, we thank you for Gabe.

00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:47.119
 We thank you that whatever he's going to share, we know the letter is from you.

00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.859
 Because we know his heart is aligned to you.

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.859
 We know his heart is hungry for your word.

00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:53.079
 And he is devoted to you and to your word.

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:57.480
 And so I pray, Lord, that just as the Congo team serves out in Wesa,

00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:00.920
 Lord, as we read about Acts, about the early church,

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:06.299
 we're just one big movement that has continued to happen since that first day of Pentecost.

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:09.519
 So, Lord, I pray that as we hear these words, that we join in this mission.

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:13.559
 It's not just watching and observers of the team going out to Congo.

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.860
 But no, Lord, we are one body.

00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.819
 We're one family.

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:18.179
 And when one goes out, we all go out.

00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:24.179
 And so, Lord, I pray that as we feel called, we are called on this mission in Hong Kong,

00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:26.819
 may you speak to us through Acts today.

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.759
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:28.399
 Amen.

00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.179
 All right.

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.579
 Thanks, Joe.

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.500
 And thanks, Congo team.

00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.679
 So, good morning, everyone.

00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:37.519
 We're going through the book of Acts, which is about the early days of the church.

00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:45.940
 And it was really refreshing to hear the Congo team talk because, yeah, we're actually in Acts 12 going to be looking at the same thing,

00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:52.599
 where this, as Ellen said, there's this cheat code of faith that God does things beyond what we could even imagine.

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:55.539
 He works when we ask him.

00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:59.440
 So, today in Acts, we'll be reading from Acts chapter 12.

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:05.819
 It's a chapter of contrast, contrast and conflict between two men.

00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:09.779
 The first is a guy, Mr. King Herod Agrippa I.

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.740
 And he's a king with everything at his disposal.

00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:18.019
 He has a throne to sit on, an army at his command, the approval of his people.

00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.480
 That's King Herod.

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:23.799
 And the second man we're going to look at is a guy named Peter.

00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:27.379
 Peter was a humble fisherman, uneducated.

00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:29.019
 One thing led to another.

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:34.460
 And now in this chapter, he's in prison, guarded by soldiers and awaiting execution.

00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:36.779
 That's where we are in Acts.

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.880
 Herod versus Peter.

00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:40.220
 And it looks like a totally one-sided battle.

00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:42.640
 A powerful king against this humble fisherman.

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.920
 But this fight ends up in a total upset.

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.620
 The king with all the power ends up dead.

00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:52.500
 Meanwhile, Peter, the prisoner, is miraculously set free.

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:57.339
 And not only that, but the message that Peter carries multiplied and increased.

00:20:57.559 --> 00:21:03.359
 The gospel spread and spread such that today, 2,000 years later, in Hong Kong, we're worshiping the Lord Jesus.

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:06.920
 And we can hear about how God is still working miracles in the Congo.

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:11.039
 Acts 12 contrasts Herod and Peter.

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:15.460
 And as we do that, let's not just look at them, but let's look at ourselves.

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:18.240
 We have a choice to make in our lives as well.

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.380
 Whose power do we trust?

00:21:21.020 --> 00:21:22.200
 Whose glory do we seek?

00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:24.580
 Will we use that cheat code of faith, as Alan said?

00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:29.940
 Will we look for our power, for our glory, or God's power for his glory?

00:21:30.540 --> 00:21:31.840
 That's the question in Acts 12.

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.940
 Now let's stand together as we read.

00:21:34.040 --> 00:21:36.440
 I'm going to invite Kenneth to come up and read for us.

00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:39.860
 Let's stand in a small gesture of reverence for God's word.

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.900
 Wow.

00:21:44.780 --> 00:21:45.720
 It's quite dark.

00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:50.279
 James killed and Peter imprisoned.

00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:55.279
 About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:59.140
 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:03.240
 And when he saw that it would please the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:06.140
 This was during the days of unleavened bread.

00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:16.700
 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:23.480
 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:36.660
 Now when Herod was about to bring him out on the very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and centuries before the door were guarding the prison.

00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:42.740
 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell.

00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:46.880
 He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, Get up quickly.

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.740
 And the chains fell off his hands.

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:53.340
 And the angel said to him, Dress yourself and put on your sandals.

00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:56.420
 He said to him, Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.

00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.259
 And he went out and followed him.

00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:06.579
 He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:13.220
 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city.

00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:16.359
 It opened for them on its own accord.

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:23.460
 And they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:34.059
 When Peter came to himself, he said, Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.

00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:43.980
 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:50.700
 And when he knocked at the door at the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer, recognizing Peter's voice.

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:55.960
 In her joy, she did not open the gate, but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.

00:23:56.580 --> 00:23:59.059
 They said to her, You are out of your mind.

00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:01.559
 But she kept insisting that it was so.

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:04.319
 And they kept saying, It is his angel.

00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:08.819
 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:17.920
 But motioning to them that his hands to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison.

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:21.820
 And he said, Tell these things to James and to the brothers.

00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:24.539
 Then he departed and went to another place.

00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:33.360
 Now when the day came, there was a little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:40.500
 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death.

00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:46.160
 Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:50.279
 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon.

00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:52.900
 And they came to him with one accord.

00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:58.460
 And having persuaded Blastus, the kings of Chamberlain, they asked for peace.

00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:02.140
 Because their country depended on the king's country for food.

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:10.420
 On appointed day, Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:16.039
 And the people were shouting, the voice of God and not of man.

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:22.460
 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory.

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:25.759
 And he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.640
 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:33.540
 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service.

00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:38.240
 Bring with them John, whose other name was Mark.

00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:40.980
 This is the word of the Lord.

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.860
 Please take a seat.

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:42.880
 Thanks, Kenneth.

00:25:44.060 --> 00:25:46.420
 So again, whose power and whose glory?

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.940
 That's our question to keep in mind in Acts 12.

00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:54.480
 And to recap, last week we read the last half of Acts chapter 11.

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:57.740
 We heard about the church in a city called Antioch.

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:59.740
 Antioch left quite a legacy.

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:03.819
 For one, we get our name from Antioch.

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.880
 We're called Christians.

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.299
 You're here at the Christian church.

00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:11.279
 The church was first called, the people were first called Christians in Antioch.

00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:14.319
 But also at Antioch, there was a second legacy.

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.440
 Many people turned to Christ.

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:19.740
 We heard last week that the hand of the Lord was with them.

00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:22.680
 And a great number of people in Antioch believed.

00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:30.759
 And now in Acts chapter 12, while the gospel was spreading in Antioch, things seemed to be going, well, we have a problem.

00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:35.279
 And the problem was a man named King Herod Agrippa I.

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.720
 Verse 1 says,

00:26:37.060 --> 00:26:40.539
 Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:44.700
 And now just to clarify, there's a few King Herods in the Bible.

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:48.720
 So to avoid getting mixed up, there's the Herod who tried to kill baby Jesus.

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.140
 That was King Herod the Great.

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.340
 Different Herod.

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:55.299
 Herod Antipas successfully killed John the Baptist.

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.740
 Also a different Herod.

00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:59.440
 Today we're talking about King Herod Agrippa.

00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:04.039
 He came in power 10 or so years after Jesus' death and resurrection.

00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:07.019
 So that's the rough timing of where we are in Acts 12.

00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:12.720
 The gospel has been spreading for 10 to 15 years after Jesus ascended to heaven.

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.039
 Okay?

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.039
 So now back to the story.

00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:18.059
 King Herod was persecuting the church violently.

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:21.660
 To the point that Herod was killing leaders in the church.

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.759
 Verse 2 says,

00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.240
 Herod killed James.

00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:27.759
 And it's not James the brother of Joe, but James the brother of John.

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.880
 Herod killed him with the sword.

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:32.500
 Now James the brother of John was special.

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:34.279
 James was one of the 12 apostles.

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:36.299
 The 12 disciples of Jesus.

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:39.579
 Followers of Jesus that he commissioned to go build his church.

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:42.400
 And James was the first of the 12 to be martyred.

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:47.980
 Now not only did Herod kill James, he also went for the apostle Peter.

00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.180
 Verse 3 says,

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:51.860
 He proceeded to arrest Peter also.

00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:55.019
 Now, why did Herod do all of this?

00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:57.360
 Why did Herod kill James and plan to arrest Peter?

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.279
 Verse 3 also tells us,

00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:02.400
 It's because Herod saw that it pleased the Jews.

00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:05.660
 He saw that killing James the first time made the Jews happy.

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.400
 And he thought,

00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.279
 Let's try that again.

00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:09.559
 Let's arrest another and kill Peter.

00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.960
 And I'll make them happy.

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:13.679
 Because there's one thing that Herod craved.

00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:15.240
 And that's popularity.

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.519
 Herod craved popularity.

00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:19.700
 And so he wanted to please the Jews.

00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:22.460
 There was a first century Jewish historian.

00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.119
 Not a Christian.

00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.899
 But he was named Josephus.

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:29.299
 Josephus said that Herod was very careful to be liked by the Jews.

00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:32.799
 He would observe Jewish laws and customs.

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:35.319
 He offered sacrifices at the temple.

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:38.899
 He was known for giving gifts to gain political favor with people.

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:41.279
 Herod loved power and popularity.

00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:44.399
 And he was even willing to kill people to gain it.

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.759
 And that's why he arrested Peter.

00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:49.700
 The Jews were happy when he killed James.

00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.119
 So he thought,

00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:52.939
 Let's rinse and repeat that and get Peter also.

00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.279
 So verse 4 says,

00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:56.460
 Herod put Peter in prison,

00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:59.619
 delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him,

00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:02.299
 intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:05.819
 And that was very likely intending to kill Peter also.

00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:08.659
 He planned to bring Peter out after the Passover

00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:12.159
 and kill him publicly as a show to make the Jews happy.

00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.339
 And this is a big deal for the church.

00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:18.779
 On top of one of the leaders, James, was killed.

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:20.740
 But not only that, there's another thrown in jail

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.519
 and they don't know what's going to happen to him.

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.000
 There's this threat.

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.639
 There's a crisis.

00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:28.559
 And how does the church respond to this crisis?

00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.240
 To this threat?

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:32.559
 They don't stage a protest.

00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.920
 They don't start a riot.

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:36.940
 They don't try to break in and bust Peter out of jail.

00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:40.059
 Instead, their first instinct,

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:43.539
 their first response is to pray.

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.000
 They pray.

00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:47.120
 They simply stop and pray.

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.880
 That's what verse 5 says.

00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.620
 Peter was kept in prison,

00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:55.240
 but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:57.259
 In the middle of this crisis,

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.900
 before doing anything,

00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:01.259
 they first stop and pray.

00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:06.420
 And I said earlier that this chapter is a chapter of contrast.

00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:08.839
 So let's compare Herod with the church.

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.980
 Whose power are they relying on?

00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.799
 On one hand, there's King Herod.

00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:14.819
 He will do whatever he can

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.660
 by his own strength and power

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:19.799
 in order to be popular and honored,

00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:22.379
 even if it means killing two innocent people.

00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:25.539
 He's King and he will use his power

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:27.259
 to do whatever he wants.

00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:29.559
 On the other hand, there's the church.

00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:32.000
 They knew that they can't fight Herod themselves.

00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.859
 They simply don't have the strength.

00:30:34.899 --> 00:30:36.980
 Their only hope was to ask God

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:39.059
 to act by his strength and his power.

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:41.259
 And because the church relied on God,

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:43.680
 their instinct was to stop and pray.

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:46.279
 Now let's ask ourselves,

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.980
 who do we look like more,

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.440
 Herod or the church?

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.299
 When problems come,

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.500
 what's our first instinct?

00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.960
 Is it to trust ourselves

00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.420
 and try to work it out ourselves

00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:58.519
 or to look to God and pray?

00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.560
 A few years ago,

00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:02.900
 some of us went to Bali together to go surfing.

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.980
 That was a fun trip.

00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:05.440
 It was also my first time surfing.

00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:07.080
 And we were on the beach

00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:08.160
 and I think it was Jay

00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:10.380
 who was teaching me the basics

00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.400
 because I'd never done it before.

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.940
 He said things like,

00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:14.059
 oh, you have to lie down.

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.920
 When the wave comes,

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.059
 you paddle really hard,

00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.880
 then stand up.

00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.820
 And then he asked me a question.

00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:21.299
 Are you regular or goofy?

00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.559
 Well, I've never surfed before,

00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:25.140
 so I thought it'd be kind of goofy that day.

00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.680
 But apparently, goofy means

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.759
 you have your right foot forward.

00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:30.160
 That's how you like standing up on the board.

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:32.080
 Regular means that you have

00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:33.080
 your left foot forward.

00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.620
 I had no clue,

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.259
 so I shrugged.

00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:35.980
 I don't know.

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.180
 I've never done it before.

00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.500
 And before I knew it,

00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.559
 he just pushed me.

00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.360
 And I took a step forward.

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:44.160
 And I was about to square up

00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:45.080
 all offended at Jay.

00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.820
 But he was like,

00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.559
 sorry, sorry, sorry.

00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.940
 That's just how you check.

00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.880
 That's how you check.

00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:50.920
 Right?

00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.480
 Apparently,

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.059
 what you do,

00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.700
 someone gives you a push from behind

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.039
 and then,

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.140
 out of reflex,

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.680
 one foot comes forward

00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.759
 to balance.

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.860
 That's all reflex.

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.620
 That's all instinct.

00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:03.519
 What you do instinctively

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:05.380
 tells you your natural stance.

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.900
 That's what you're most comfortable with.

00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:09.840
 And so I'd like us also to reflect.

00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:12.700
 What's our heart's instinct?

00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:13.820
 What's our reflex?

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:16.080
 When push comes to shove,

00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:18.180
 which foot do we put forward first?

00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:20.380
 Our strength and our abilities

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.860
 or God's strength?

00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:24.460
 That tells us the posture,

00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:25.700
 the stance of our hearts.

00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.860
 That's what our heart

00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:28.120
 is most comfortable with.

00:32:28.780 --> 00:32:29.400
 Think about it.

00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.120
 When problems come,

00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.140
 what's your first response?

00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:31.980
 Do you panic,

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.320
 rush to solve the problem,

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.200
 do it yourself?

00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.700
 Or do we pause,

00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:36.360
 pray,

00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:38.120
 ask God for his strength

00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.200
 and his guidance?

00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.539
 When we turn on the news,

00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:43.480
 there's another political flashpoint.

00:32:44.080 --> 00:32:44.720
 What do we do?

00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.680
 What's our natural reaction?

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.640
 Is outrage a public statement?

00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:49.440
 Or is it to follow our knees

00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.960
 and beg God to make this right

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.140
 and show us his will?

00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.160
 When friends' families

00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:55.100
 are having problems,

00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.240
 do we rush to solve it?

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.180
 If I call them right now,

00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.840
 they'll fix it.

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.400
 Or I'll send my kid

00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.080
 to another school,

00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.980
 they'll take care of it.

00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:02.519
 Is that our first instinct?

00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:04.940
 Or to entrust them to prayer?

00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:07.019
 When deadlines pile up,

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.839
 is our instinct to work harder

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.460
 and faster,

00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.339
 to do it ourselves?

00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:11.279
 I just gotta lock in.

00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.819
 Or do we feel the need

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.639
 to seek God in prayer?

00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:16.359
 Martin Luther once said,

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.400
 I have so much to do

00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.980
 that I shall spend

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:21.539
 the first three hours in prayer.

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.240
 Sometimes when we're busy,

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.139
 we neglect to pray.

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.240
 I don't have time to do it.

00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.539
 Work is tiring.

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.500
 I don't have time to pray.

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.059
 It's too busy.

00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.559
 Well, Martin Luther

00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.879
 was so busy

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:33.139
 that he needed to pray.

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.619
 He was too busy

00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.359
 not to pray.

00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.639
 He had so much

00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.399
 on his plate,

00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.700
 he couldn't do it

00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.579
 without God's strength.

00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:42.099
 So where's our heart?

00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.639
 If we trust our strength,

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:45.339
 our abilities,

00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.500
 we won't pray.

00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.139
 We don't need to.

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.940
 I can just do it.

00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:50.019
 But if we truly believe

00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:51.039
 that we need God,

00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.460
 then we can't help

00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.220
 but pray.

00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.659
 And that's why the church

00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:55.720
 earnestly prayed for Peter.

00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:57.220
 Herod didn't pray.

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.819
 He didn't need to.

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.899
 He just reacted

00:33:58.899 --> 00:34:01.019
 because he had all the power

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.939
 and he could seize it

00:34:01.939 --> 00:34:02.559
 for himself.

00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.579
 The question for us

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.279
 is which foot

00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.679
 do we put forward first?

00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.259
 That'll tell us

00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:09.199
 where our heart is.

00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.219
 So Herod relied

00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:11.759
 on his strength

00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:12.360
 while the church

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.860
 trusted in God's strength.

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.799
 And next we'll see

00:34:14.799 --> 00:34:15.500
 that the church

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.699
 put their faith

00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.460
 in the right place.

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.619
 Let's read on.

00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.139
 It's Herod versus Peter.

00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:20.940
 Peter's in jail.

00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.860
 He's on death row

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.759
 awaiting execution.

00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:24.039
 And Herod wanted

00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:25.039
 to make a public show

00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:25.500
 of him

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.480
 to please the Jews.

00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.000
 But verse 6 says,

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.320
 Now when Herod

00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.779
 was about to bring him out

00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:32.320
 on that very night,

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:34.000
 so at the last moment

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.559
 when Herod

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.739
 was close to killing him,

00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:37.480
 that's when God acted.

00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.019
 Verse 7,

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:39.800
 Behold,

00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:40.679
 an angel of the Lord

00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.460
 stood next to him

00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.300
 and the light

00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:43.199
 shone in his cell.

00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:45.259
 So situation is

00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:46.259
 Peter was chained up

00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:48.219
 and the chains

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:49.500
 just fell off

00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.360
 his hands.

00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.880
 Peter was guarded

00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:53.279
 in between two soldiers,

00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:54.579
 a soldier on each side.

00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.880
 But they don't notice

00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:56.639
 a thing at all

00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.980
 when this light shone,

00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:58.960
 this angel came

00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.440
 into the room.

00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.920
 And Peter didn't have

00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.000
 to sneak out

00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:04.559
 or run out of prison.

00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.380
 Verse 8 says,

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.799
 The angel said to him,

00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.619
 Dress yourself

00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.920
 and put on your sandals.

00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:12.159
 This was a relaxed

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.860
 prison break.

00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.420
 He had time

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.279
 to put on shoes

00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:15.319
 and change out

00:35:15.319 --> 00:35:16.019
 of his PJs.

00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.960
 And verse 10,

00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.980
 He followed the angels.

00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.019
 They walked by

00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.840
 two sets of guards

00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.179
 who were as oblivious

00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:22.779
 as the others.

00:35:22.780 --> 00:35:24.340
 And just as they came

00:35:24.340 --> 00:35:25.280
 to the exit of the prison,

00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.680
 the iron gates

00:35:26.680 --> 00:35:27.640
 leading out to the city,

00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.460
 the gate just opened

00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.180
 on its own.

00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.140
 It just opened for them,

00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:32.280
 just like the sliding doors

00:35:32.280 --> 00:35:32.720
 at the mall.

00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.560
 That's how effortless

00:35:34.560 --> 00:35:36.000
 it was for Peter.

00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:38.260
 Is he escaping from jail

00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:39.220
 or just walking out

00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:39.800
 the Four Seasons

00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.640
 with that door opening

00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.019
 for him?

00:35:41.220 --> 00:35:41.860
 I can't tell.

00:35:42.580 --> 00:35:43.420
 Herod thought he had

00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:44.019
 all the power,

00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:44.760
 soldiers,

00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:45.620
 chains,

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.360
 prison,

00:35:46.800 --> 00:35:47.840
 but God just rolled

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.740
 the red carpet out

00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:49.180
 for Peter

00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:49.860
 to walk out.

00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:51.920
 And now there's

00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.720
 another detail here

00:35:52.720 --> 00:35:53.160
 that I love.

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.140
 Verse 9 says,

00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:56.140
 Peter did not know

00:35:56.140 --> 00:35:57.120
 what was being done

00:35:57.120 --> 00:35:57.620
 by the angel

00:35:57.620 --> 00:35:58.180
 was real,

00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.079
 but thought that

00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.660
 it was a dream.

00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:01.140
 So as all this

00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:01.800
 is going on,

00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:03.000
 he's escaping from jail,

00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:03.980
 Peter is just

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:05.160
 totally half asleep.

00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.680
 He thought he was dreaming.

00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.740
 He's in his own world.

00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:09.360
 And as he's following

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:09.760
 the angel,

00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.220
 he's thinking,

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.579
 this can't be happening.

00:36:11.700 --> 00:36:12.559
 He's pinching himself.

00:36:12.680 --> 00:36:13.300
 It's too easy.

00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:15.120
 This has got to be a dream.

00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.200
 And Peter's out

00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.720
 of the jail now.

00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:18.420
 They're on the street.

00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:19.740
 He follows the angel

00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.360
 another block.

00:36:20.820 --> 00:36:22.059
 The angel's done his job

00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.860
 and then suddenly

00:36:22.860 --> 00:36:23.599
 the angel's gone.

00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:24.220
 He's just gone.

00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:25.780
 Only then

00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:27.159
 does Peter realize

00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:28.039
 that it's not a dream.

00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.820
 This is all real.

00:36:28.980 --> 00:36:29.860
 He's really standing

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:30.579
 in the middle of the street.

00:36:30.680 --> 00:36:31.420
 God really took him

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:31.840
 out of jail.

00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.639
 And that's when he realizes,

00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.059
 wow,

00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:36.240
 God really did rescue me.

00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:39.440
 Now why include this detail?

00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.500
 Why does Luke include this?

00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:42.680
 That Peter had no idea

00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:43.440
 what's going on.

00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.740
 The point is to show

00:36:45.740 --> 00:36:46.480
 beyond doubt

00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.340
 that it wasn't

00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.200
 Peter's efforts.

00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:49.260
 That brought him

00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:49.680
 out of jail.

00:36:50.680 --> 00:36:51.780
 It wasn't Peter

00:36:51.780 --> 00:36:53.200
 trying hard to do it.

00:36:53.260 --> 00:36:54.019
 It was all God,

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.740
 not Peter.

00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.659
 The guy thought

00:36:55.659 --> 00:36:56.320
 he was dreaming.

00:36:56.740 --> 00:36:57.200
 He thought he was

00:36:57.200 --> 00:36:57.840
 still sleeping.

00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.940
 God is greater

00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.980
 than our own efforts.

00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:02.480
 God is greater

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.579
 than Herod's efforts

00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:05.079
 to kill Peter,

00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:05.960
 to capture Peter.

00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:07.420
 And God is greater

00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.400
 than anything Peter

00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:09.019
 could have done

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:10.000
 to rescue himself.

00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.960
 And that's why Peter

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:13.019
 gives God all the credit

00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.700
 in verse 11.

00:37:14.659 --> 00:37:15.480
 The Lord has sent

00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.059
 his angel

00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:17.259
 and rescued me.

00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:18.219
 It was all God

00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:19.099
 and Peter knew it.

00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:20.159
 He gave God the glory.

00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.139
 Peter is simply

00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.819
 sleepwalking.

00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.099
 Now,

00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:24.879
 let's read on

00:37:24.879 --> 00:37:25.439
 in verse 12.

00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.039
 As soon as Peter

00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:27.739
 realized this,

00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:28.980
 he went to the house

00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:29.399
 of Mary,

00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.460
 the mother of John,

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.259
 who was called Mark,

00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.799
 where many had assembled

00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.539
 and were praying.

00:37:34.359 --> 00:37:34.639
 Remember,

00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.339
 at this point,

00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.759
 Peter was all alone

00:37:36.759 --> 00:37:37.579
 in the middle of the street,

00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.480
 in the middle of the night,

00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:39.960
 so he thought to himself,

00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:40.260
 okay,

00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.980
 let me just go find my friends.

00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:42.760
 Okay?

00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:43.599
 And now,

00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:44.880
 I've been enjoying

00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.900
 reading the book of Acts.

00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:46.980
 One reason is that

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.019
 the more I read Acts,

00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:49.179
 the more I appreciate

00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:50.980
 how funny it is sometimes.

00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:52.199
 And today,

00:37:52.300 --> 00:37:53.360
 we have on our hands

00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.099
 another silly,

00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:54.639
 goofy,

00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.780
 Looney Tunes moment.

00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:58.320
 And I think God's not

00:37:58.320 --> 00:37:59.320
 just trying to crack

00:37:59.320 --> 00:38:00.420
 a few jokes in Acts.

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.539
 It's to prove a point.

00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.900
 And we'll see that later.

00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:04.639
 Remember,

00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:06.000
 the church was praying

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.519
 for Peter

00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:07.559
 in the middle of,

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.659
 they were in the middle

00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.299
 of their emergency

00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:10.159
 prayer meeting.

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.400
 And Peter arrives

00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:12.579
 and knocks on his door.

00:38:13.539 --> 00:38:14.619
 And one of the servants,

00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:15.420
 Rhoda,

00:38:15.759 --> 00:38:16.500
 goes out to check

00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.539
 who it is.

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.119
 And she's like,

00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:19.299
 oh my goodness,

00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:19.779
 it's the guy

00:38:19.779 --> 00:38:20.440
 we've been praying for.

00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.019
 It's Peter.

00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:23.179
 She's so filled with joy.

00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:24.039
 She's so excited

00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:25.820
 that she forgets even

00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:27.059
 to let him into the house.

00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.360
 If she'd just turned

00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:29.000
 the door handle,

00:38:29.559 --> 00:38:30.279
 we wouldn't be talking

00:38:30.279 --> 00:38:30.940
 about this right now.

00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:31.719
 But instead,

00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:32.559
 she turns around.

00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:34.039
 She's bouncing off the walls.

00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.139
 She's going,

00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:35.559
 it's Peter,

00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:35.880
 it's Peter,

00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.239
 it's Peter.

00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:37.299
 You won't believe it,

00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:37.560
 guys.

00:38:37.640 --> 00:38:38.200
 It's Peter.

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:39.060
 He's here.

00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:40.580
 And meanwhile,

00:38:41.060 --> 00:38:42.160
 the church was praying.

00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.180
 Lord,

00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:45.260
 please save Peter.

00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:46.320
 Your will be done

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:46.780
 on earth

00:38:46.780 --> 00:38:47.620
 as it is in heaven.

00:38:48.400 --> 00:38:49.420
 And Rhoda runs in

00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:49.680
 yelling,

00:38:49.800 --> 00:38:50.260
 it's Peter,

00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.680
 guys.

00:38:51.080 --> 00:38:51.640
 And they're like,

00:38:51.740 --> 00:38:51.900
 no,

00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.380
 stop it.

00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:52.880
 Can't you see

00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:53.400
 that we're praying?

00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.320
 Rhoda's like,

00:38:54.560 --> 00:38:56.640
 I know Peter is here.

00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.039
 Stop it,

00:38:58.080 --> 00:38:58.280
 Rhoda.

00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:58.860
 You're out of your mind.

00:38:59.060 --> 00:38:59.720
 Peter's locked up.

00:38:59.780 --> 00:39:00.560
 There's no way he's here.

00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.019
 It's his angel.

00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:03.000
 It's not Peter.

00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:03.559
 It's his angel.

00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:04.000
 Anyways,

00:39:04.179 --> 00:39:05.420
 Father,

00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:06.840
 you are sovereign God.

00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:08.599
 You alone can save him.

00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:09.420
 And Rhoda's like,

00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:09.860
 yeah,

00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:10.800
 he did.

00:39:10.860 --> 00:39:12.079
 How many times do I have to tell you?

00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.980
 It's Peter at the door.

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.000
 What are you talking about,

00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:15.199
 Rhoda?

00:39:15.239 --> 00:39:15.900
 That's not possible.

00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:16.719
 Peter's in jail.

00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:17.820
 It must be his angel.

00:39:18.239 --> 00:39:18.880
 And all the while,

00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:20.460
 Peter's just still at the door knocking.

00:39:21.119 --> 00:39:21.679
 Hey guys,

00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:22.659
 can anyone let me in?

00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:24.839
 It's kind of cold and dark outside.

00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:27.079
 And finally,

00:39:27.219 --> 00:39:27.960
 they open the door.

00:39:29.099 --> 00:39:29.599
 Oh wow,

00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:30.399
 it really is Peter.

00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:32.440
 Why didn't you say so earlier,

00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:32.920
 Rhoda?

00:39:33.759 --> 00:39:34.739
 They saw him,

00:39:34.819 --> 00:39:35.579
 and they were shocked.

00:39:35.659 --> 00:39:36.339
 They were amazed.

00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:39.059
 And what's Luke trying to say in this?

00:39:39.759 --> 00:39:40.539
 The point is this.

00:39:41.399 --> 00:39:43.179
 That God is not only greater than our efforts.

00:39:43.299 --> 00:39:45.519
 He's greater than our imagination.

00:39:46.299 --> 00:39:48.279
 The church prayed earnestly for Peter.

00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:51.500
 But what God did was so far beyond

00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:53.760
 what they could even fathom and understand.

00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:55.639
 It was so far beyond their imagination

00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:57.679
 that when they saw,

00:39:58.199 --> 00:39:59.840
 when Rhoda told them the good news,

00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.420
 they said,

00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:01.059
 Rhoda,

00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:03.260
 you're out of your mind.

00:40:04.099 --> 00:40:05.440
 Even as Peter was at the door,

00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:07.019
 even as she's yelling,

00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:07.619
 it's Peter.

00:40:07.820 --> 00:40:08.780
 They couldn't believe it.

00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:10.260
 It's not simply possible.

00:40:11.539 --> 00:40:13.579
 So while the church did well to pray,

00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:15.719
 they did well to earnestly pray.

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:18.599
 We see that it's not the diligence

00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:20.460
 of their prayers that saved Peter.

00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:22.780
 It wasn't the strength of their faith.

00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:24.440
 They couldn't even believe

00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:26.440
 that God would answer their prayers in that way.

00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:28.079
 They didn't know how to pray.

00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:30.539
 They didn't even know how to ask.

00:40:31.800 --> 00:40:33.280
 What got Peter out of jail

00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:34.840
 was the power of God.

00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:36.840
 It was God through and through completely.

00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:39.320
 The church only had faith

00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:41.340
 teeny tiny as mustard seed.

00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:42.880
 They asked,

00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:44.639
 and they saw God work.

00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:47.500
 He's a God who does far more abundantly

00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:49.480
 than all that we ask or think

00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.480
 for his glory.

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:53.300
 God is greater than our imagination.

00:40:54.739 --> 00:40:56.000
 And you might be wondering, though,

00:40:56.079 --> 00:40:57.320
 what's the use in praying then?

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:59.199
 Like, why pray if God's just going to work?

00:40:59.920 --> 00:41:02.179
 And by no means do I want to minimize prayer.

00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:04.440
 Because God heard their prayers.

00:41:04.860 --> 00:41:05.820
 They prayed for Peter.

00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:07.679
 They prayed earnestly to God for Peter.

00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:08.900
 God heard,

00:41:09.260 --> 00:41:09.880
 and he answered.

00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:12.140
 In fact, he answered in a way

00:41:12.140 --> 00:41:14.140
 far better than anything they were expecting.

00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:16.740
 And it's the same when we pray.

00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.920
 God hears us,

00:41:18.360 --> 00:41:19.500
 and he acts.

00:41:19.880 --> 00:41:21.519
 Let's remember that we worship a God

00:41:21.519 --> 00:41:22.780
 that does far more

00:41:22.780 --> 00:41:25.680
 than what we can even ask or imagine.

00:41:26.200 --> 00:41:27.180
 He is God in heaven.

00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:28.640
 And so when we pray,

00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:30.599
 we know that he hears us.

00:41:31.260 --> 00:41:33.059
 But also, let's hold on to our plans

00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:33.900
 loosely in faith.

00:41:35.160 --> 00:41:35.720
 And also,

00:41:36.180 --> 00:41:36.940
 praying is a privilege.

00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:38.659
 It's amazing when,

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:40.579
 it's amazing to see when God answers.

00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:41.720
 Right?

00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:42.579
 There's joy in that.

00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:44.360
 Imagine if the church didn't pray.

00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:46.000
 If they were just on the couch

00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:46.780
 playing video games,

00:41:46.880 --> 00:41:48.139
 and then Peter showed up at their house.

00:41:48.579 --> 00:41:50.340
 Like, that'd still be kind of cool.

00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:52.780
 But it's much more amazing and personal

00:41:52.780 --> 00:41:54.700
 when we're on our knees in prayer.

00:41:54.780 --> 00:41:55.720
 We're in the middle of that,

00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:57.679
 and Peter just appears at the door.

00:41:58.400 --> 00:42:00.240
 Like, wow, God really answered.

00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.320
 He really heard me.

00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:04.220
 It's so much better to have that.

00:42:04.220 --> 00:42:05.559
 I can ask my father,

00:42:05.559 --> 00:42:06.940
 and he works,

00:42:07.019 --> 00:42:09.059
 than to just watch him as a spectator.

00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:12.259
 Jesus said in John chapter 16,

00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:13.719
 ask and you will receive,

00:42:13.860 --> 00:42:15.159
 that your joy may be full.

00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:17.259
 God gave us prayer,

00:42:17.779 --> 00:42:19.579
 not to earn anything from him,

00:42:19.759 --> 00:42:21.059
 but to enjoy him,

00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:22.759
 that our joy may be full.

00:42:23.400 --> 00:42:24.219
 So let's ask.

00:42:24.579 --> 00:42:26.199
 Let's ask the God

00:42:26.199 --> 00:42:27.900
 who is greater than our imagination.

00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:30.659
 And back to the story.

00:42:30.659 --> 00:42:32.019
 For the rest of the chapter,

00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:34.239
 focus is back on Herod.

00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:35.859
 Verse 18 says,

00:42:36.299 --> 00:42:37.639
 Now when day came,

00:42:37.739 --> 00:42:38.839
 there was no little disturbance

00:42:38.839 --> 00:42:39.759
 among the soldiers

00:42:39.759 --> 00:42:41.659
 over what had become of Peter.

00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:43.379
 And after Herod searched for him

00:42:43.379 --> 00:42:44.579
 and did not find him,

00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:45.719
 he examined the sentries

00:42:45.719 --> 00:42:47.500
 and ordered that they should be put to death.

00:42:48.179 --> 00:42:49.479
 Now death was a common punishment

00:42:49.479 --> 00:42:51.519
 for letting prisoners escape.

00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:53.259
 But we can also see here

00:42:53.259 --> 00:42:54.939
 that Herod personally cared

00:42:54.939 --> 00:42:56.099
 about this escape.

00:42:57.239 --> 00:42:58.079
 Herod searched for Peter

00:42:58.079 --> 00:42:59.500
 and examined the guards.

00:42:59.500 --> 00:43:00.799
 And I think it's because

00:43:00.799 --> 00:43:01.659
 he was embarrassed.

00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:03.000
 He wanted to make a show

00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:03.879
 out of killing Peter.

00:43:04.279 --> 00:43:04.940
 But instead,

00:43:05.219 --> 00:43:06.000
 Herod became the clown.

00:43:06.539 --> 00:43:08.399
 And so he killed the guards,

00:43:08.759 --> 00:43:09.639
 took it out on him,

00:43:09.839 --> 00:43:10.319
 on them,

00:43:10.519 --> 00:43:11.920
 but also as is custom.

00:43:12.819 --> 00:43:14.319
 They would kill the guards.

00:43:15.359 --> 00:43:16.420
 Now sometime later,

00:43:16.539 --> 00:43:17.379
 after several months

00:43:17.379 --> 00:43:19.039
 or up to a few years later,

00:43:19.219 --> 00:43:20.259
 we see Herod again

00:43:20.259 --> 00:43:21.440
 puffing his chest

00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:22.819
 and flexing his muscles.

00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:25.259
 And if you have your Bibles out,

00:43:25.440 --> 00:43:26.199
 too bad there's spoilers

00:43:26.199 --> 00:43:27.259
 right above verse 20.

00:43:27.440 --> 00:43:28.239
 The section's titled,

00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:29.739
 The Death of Herod.

00:43:31.159 --> 00:43:32.039
 Situation is,

00:43:32.199 --> 00:43:33.859
 Herod is at the negotiating table

00:43:33.859 --> 00:43:35.199
 with Tyre and Sidon.

00:43:35.479 --> 00:43:37.459
 These were two neighboring regions

00:43:37.459 --> 00:43:39.199
 around the kingdom

00:43:39.199 --> 00:43:40.139
 that Herod had.

00:43:41.000 --> 00:43:42.439
 And Tyre and Sidon

00:43:42.439 --> 00:43:44.779
 depended on Herod for food.

00:43:45.819 --> 00:43:47.799
 So Herod was in the driver's seat here.

00:43:47.919 --> 00:43:49.619
 He had all the negotiating power.

00:43:50.059 --> 00:43:51.259
 Food was his bargaining chip.

00:43:51.899 --> 00:43:53.259
 And he set out

00:43:53.259 --> 00:43:54.399
 to make a deal with them.

00:43:54.400 --> 00:43:57.300
 And verse 21 says,

00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.480
 On an appointed day,

00:43:59.000 --> 00:44:00.579
 Herod put on his royal robes,

00:44:01.000 --> 00:44:02.240
 took his seat upon the throne,

00:44:02.460 --> 00:44:04.760
 and delivered an oration to them.

00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:07.900
 And here on this appointed day,

00:44:08.000 --> 00:44:09.000
 they were probably announcing

00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:10.420
 the deal that they had made,

00:44:10.780 --> 00:44:11.980
 the terms that they had agreed to.

00:44:12.320 --> 00:44:13.200
 And Herod thought,

00:44:13.440 --> 00:44:14.500
 he's so important.

00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:16.280
 I am king.

00:44:16.860 --> 00:44:18.000
 I am powerful.

00:44:19.000 --> 00:44:21.320
 Tyre and Sidon had to beg me,

00:44:21.320 --> 00:44:23.240
 bow down to me for food.

00:44:23.239 --> 00:44:26.099
 And so Herod put on his royal robes,

00:44:26.399 --> 00:44:27.619
 sat on his royal throne,

00:44:27.699 --> 00:44:28.899
 and gave his royal speech.

00:44:29.779 --> 00:44:30.959
 And it's at this moment

00:44:30.959 --> 00:44:32.759
 we see the price of pride.

00:44:33.259 --> 00:44:34.599
 This is the price of pride.

00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:37.139
 Verse 22 says,

00:44:37.539 --> 00:44:38.419
 The people were shouting,

00:44:38.979 --> 00:44:40.039
 the voice of a god

00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:41.019
 and not of a man.

00:44:42.179 --> 00:44:43.259
 And immediately,

00:44:44.039 --> 00:44:45.000
 an angel of the Lord

00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:45.859
 struck him down

00:44:45.859 --> 00:44:48.159
 because he did not give God the glory,

00:44:48.639 --> 00:44:50.019
 and he was eaten by worms

00:44:50.019 --> 00:44:51.519
 and breathed his last.

00:44:51.519 --> 00:44:53.460
 Just like that,

00:44:54.039 --> 00:44:55.280
 God struck Herod down.

00:44:56.179 --> 00:44:56.759
 Herod the king,

00:44:57.360 --> 00:44:58.079
 in his robes,

00:44:58.139 --> 00:44:58.880
 on his throne,

00:44:59.559 --> 00:44:59.860
 died

00:44:59.860 --> 00:45:01.820
 because of his pride.

00:45:02.940 --> 00:45:04.300
 Herod considered himself a god.

00:45:04.539 --> 00:45:05.139
 I am big.

00:45:05.179 --> 00:45:05.739
 I am him.

00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:07.800
 He didn't give God the glory.

00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:09.679
 And in front of everybody

00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:11.119
 that he was flexing on,

00:45:11.300 --> 00:45:12.139
 in front of everyone

00:45:12.139 --> 00:45:13.599
 he was desperately trying to impress,

00:45:14.159 --> 00:45:15.139
 God put him to death.

00:45:15.139 --> 00:45:16.900
 Now,

00:45:17.099 --> 00:45:18.379
 how does that sit with you?

00:45:19.079 --> 00:45:20.599
 That God put Herod to death?

00:45:21.619 --> 00:45:23.259
 That God judged Herod?

00:45:24.159 --> 00:45:26.139
 Does that punishment seem shocking?

00:45:27.460 --> 00:45:27.859
 Vengeful?

00:45:28.819 --> 00:45:29.199
 Unfair?

00:45:30.199 --> 00:45:30.539
 Harsh?

00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.819
 What did Herod do

00:45:32.819 --> 00:45:33.519
 that was so terrible?

00:45:34.299 --> 00:45:34.819
 Because, yeah,

00:45:34.879 --> 00:45:35.559
 he was prideful,

00:45:35.619 --> 00:45:36.900
 but why does that deserve death?

00:45:37.480 --> 00:45:38.480
 That seems a little extreme.

00:45:38.719 --> 00:45:39.559
 Maybe some of you

00:45:39.559 --> 00:45:40.139
 are thinking that.

00:45:41.359 --> 00:45:41.559
 Now,

00:45:41.619 --> 00:45:43.059
 to see why that's such a big deal,

00:45:43.059 --> 00:45:43.759
 imagine this.

00:45:44.480 --> 00:45:45.799
 We're contrasting Herod and Peter.

00:45:46.759 --> 00:45:48.099
 Imagine if after God

00:45:48.099 --> 00:45:49.179
 brought Peter out of jail,

00:45:49.900 --> 00:45:51.219
 imagine if Peter took the credit.

00:45:51.360 --> 00:45:52.119
 Imagine if Peter said,

00:45:52.219 --> 00:45:52.779
 I did this.

00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:54.599
 Oh, you won't believe

00:45:54.599 --> 00:45:55.239
 what I had to do

00:45:55.239 --> 00:45:55.880
 to get out of there.

00:45:56.000 --> 00:45:57.340
 I had chains wrapped around my arms.

00:45:57.719 --> 00:45:58.639
 I just ripped them apart,

00:45:58.940 --> 00:45:59.400
 bare hands,

00:45:59.539 --> 00:46:00.619
 punched one guard in the face,

00:46:00.840 --> 00:46:01.759
 flying knee to the other.

00:46:02.400 --> 00:46:03.960
 I fought my way out of there.

00:46:04.139 --> 00:46:04.880
 I'm a survivor.

00:46:05.940 --> 00:46:07.360
 Imagine if the chained up,

00:46:07.860 --> 00:46:08.519
 half awake,

00:46:08.900 --> 00:46:10.400
 am I still dreaming, Peter?

00:46:11.320 --> 00:46:12.579
 Just trampled upon

00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:13.880
 all that God did for him

00:46:13.880 --> 00:46:15.759
 and instead took credit for it.

00:46:16.500 --> 00:46:17.519
 How ungrateful is that?

00:46:18.000 --> 00:46:18.579
 How terrible,

00:46:18.739 --> 00:46:19.239
 how twisted?

00:46:20.380 --> 00:46:21.380
 And that's what Herod did.

00:46:21.460 --> 00:46:21.819
 He said,

00:46:21.920 --> 00:46:22.559
 I am a God.

00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:23.579
 He didn't recognize

00:46:23.579 --> 00:46:24.900
 that God was the one

00:46:24.900 --> 00:46:25.639
 who put him there,

00:46:25.699 --> 00:46:26.739
 who gave him everything,

00:46:26.880 --> 00:46:27.759
 who gave him the breath

00:46:27.759 --> 00:46:28.259
 in his lungs.

00:46:29.279 --> 00:46:30.480
 And it's not just Herod,

00:46:31.119 --> 00:46:32.559
 but that's what we all do

00:46:32.559 --> 00:46:33.179
 when we boast,

00:46:33.659 --> 00:46:35.059
 when we think we don't need God

00:46:35.059 --> 00:46:36.199
 and we can live

00:46:36.199 --> 00:46:38.179
 and do it ourselves.

00:46:38.179 --> 00:46:40.299
 I've got money.

00:46:40.919 --> 00:46:41.639
 I'm successful.

00:46:42.299 --> 00:46:43.399
 I go to a good school.

00:46:44.139 --> 00:46:45.379
 I got top marks in IB.

00:46:46.039 --> 00:46:47.159
 I've made it in my career.

00:46:47.659 --> 00:46:48.460
 I worked hard.

00:46:48.559 --> 00:46:49.079
 I earned it.

00:46:49.139 --> 00:46:49.679
 I'm popular.

00:46:49.799 --> 00:46:50.440
 I play sports.

00:46:50.519 --> 00:46:51.159
 I play guitar.

00:46:51.419 --> 00:46:51.919
 I sing.

00:46:52.019 --> 00:46:53.000
 I raise my kids well.

00:46:53.199 --> 00:46:54.079
 I give to charity.

00:46:54.199 --> 00:46:54.619
 I pray.

00:46:54.919 --> 00:46:55.819
 I read the Bible.

00:46:55.940 --> 00:46:56.859
 I've memorized it.

00:46:56.919 --> 00:46:57.759
 Look what I can do.

00:46:58.179 --> 00:46:59.000
 Look what I deserve.

00:46:59.159 --> 00:46:59.739
 I, I, I.

00:46:59.779 --> 00:47:00.460
 That's pride.

00:47:00.460 --> 00:47:03.139
 Don't you know

00:47:03.139 --> 00:47:04.880
 that God holds

00:47:04.880 --> 00:47:07.059
 your life in his hands

00:47:07.059 --> 00:47:08.900
 when you were nothing?

00:47:09.019 --> 00:47:09.800
 You didn't exist.

00:47:10.240 --> 00:47:11.480
 He knit you together

00:47:11.480 --> 00:47:13.159
 in your mother's womb.

00:47:13.460 --> 00:47:15.000
 He gave you your skills,

00:47:15.199 --> 00:47:16.059
 your abilities,

00:47:16.280 --> 00:47:17.440
 everything that you have.

00:47:17.519 --> 00:47:18.320
 God made it.

00:47:19.260 --> 00:47:20.519
 He led you the whole way.

00:47:21.820 --> 00:47:23.340
 Do we remember that time

00:47:23.340 --> 00:47:25.420
 when we were praying for that job?

00:47:25.500 --> 00:47:26.280
 We were so stressed

00:47:26.280 --> 00:47:26.900
 about the interview

00:47:26.900 --> 00:47:27.679
 for that exam

00:47:27.679 --> 00:47:29.059
 and God provided.

00:47:29.059 --> 00:47:31.139
 Do we remember

00:47:31.139 --> 00:47:32.179
 feeling overwhelmed

00:47:32.179 --> 00:47:33.340
 at our lowest lows

00:47:33.340 --> 00:47:34.259
 and God answered?

00:47:35.860 --> 00:47:37.480
 Are we quick to forget

00:47:37.480 --> 00:47:38.719
 what God did for us?

00:47:39.380 --> 00:47:40.019
 What he has,

00:47:40.199 --> 00:47:41.739
 how he's already answered us

00:47:41.739 --> 00:47:43.279
 and that the earth

00:47:43.279 --> 00:47:44.179
 is the Lord's

00:47:44.179 --> 00:47:45.360
 and all that is in it

00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:47.440
 and yet we take credit.

00:47:48.920 --> 00:47:50.039
 And according to Romans 1,

00:47:50.779 --> 00:47:52.099
 pride and idolatry,

00:47:52.440 --> 00:47:54.000
 that is the essence of sin

00:47:54.000 --> 00:47:55.400
 when we trample over

00:47:55.400 --> 00:47:56.199
 the glory of God

00:47:56.199 --> 00:47:58.500
 and worship, glorify,

00:47:58.500 --> 00:47:59.940
 exalt ourselves instead,

00:48:00.059 --> 00:48:00.980
 saying, I am a God.

00:48:01.539 --> 00:48:02.639
 When we don't want God,

00:48:02.699 --> 00:48:04.119
 just the things that he gives us.

00:48:04.960 --> 00:48:05.800
 And the Bible says

00:48:05.800 --> 00:48:07.039
 that all of us have done this.

00:48:07.480 --> 00:48:08.440
 We've all sinned

00:48:08.440 --> 00:48:09.380
 and fall short

00:48:09.380 --> 00:48:10.239
 of the glory of God.

00:48:11.380 --> 00:48:12.599
 And here God shows us

00:48:12.599 --> 00:48:13.280
 what sin deserves.

00:48:13.639 --> 00:48:14.760
 This time swiftly

00:48:14.760 --> 00:48:15.860
 and dramatically.

00:48:16.420 --> 00:48:17.440
 Verse 23 says,

00:48:17.840 --> 00:48:18.840
 because Herod did not

00:48:18.840 --> 00:48:19.780
 give God the glory,

00:48:20.239 --> 00:48:21.360
 he was eaten by worms

00:48:21.360 --> 00:48:22.980
 and breathed his last.

00:48:23.559 --> 00:48:24.539
 That is the punishment

00:48:24.539 --> 00:48:25.239
 for sin.

00:48:25.919 --> 00:48:26.959
 And we've all sinned.

00:48:27.039 --> 00:48:28.019
 We all deserve death.

00:48:29.179 --> 00:48:30.939
 And if it's shocking to us

00:48:30.939 --> 00:48:33.000
 that God put Herod to death

00:48:33.000 --> 00:48:33.859
 on the spot,

00:48:34.059 --> 00:48:35.519
 if we find that offensive,

00:48:36.139 --> 00:48:38.199
 that is actually a display

00:48:38.199 --> 00:48:40.099
 of how merciful God is to us.

00:48:40.759 --> 00:48:41.519
 Every moment

00:48:41.519 --> 00:48:42.439
 when we don't give God

00:48:42.439 --> 00:48:43.139
 the glory today,

00:48:43.219 --> 00:48:44.059
 that's what we deserve.

00:48:44.159 --> 00:48:45.619
 We deserve what happened

00:48:45.619 --> 00:48:46.019
 to Herod.

00:48:46.179 --> 00:48:47.099
 That should be us.

00:48:48.139 --> 00:48:49.579
 Every moment we live,

00:48:49.679 --> 00:48:50.779
 that is a gift from him.

00:48:50.879 --> 00:48:51.599
 Even the breath

00:48:51.599 --> 00:48:52.379
 that we have,

00:48:52.380 --> 00:48:53.700
 the breath in our lungs

00:48:53.700 --> 00:48:54.740
 that we use sometimes

00:48:54.740 --> 00:48:56.019
 to complain about God,

00:48:56.160 --> 00:48:57.000
 that's from him

00:48:57.000 --> 00:48:57.920
 and he can take it away.

00:48:59.000 --> 00:49:00.059
 And if we're shocked,

00:49:00.599 --> 00:49:01.420
 it goes to show

00:49:01.420 --> 00:49:03.380
 how patient God is with us.

00:49:03.900 --> 00:49:04.800
 He's so patient

00:49:04.800 --> 00:49:06.619
 that on the occasion

00:49:06.619 --> 00:49:08.900
 when he doesn't hold back,

00:49:09.480 --> 00:49:10.619
 it surprises us.

00:49:11.380 --> 00:49:12.960
 His mercy is so constant

00:49:12.960 --> 00:49:13.980
 to the point that

00:49:13.980 --> 00:49:15.579
 his judgment seems unnatural.

00:49:16.480 --> 00:49:17.740
 We're so used to swimming

00:49:17.740 --> 00:49:18.340
 in his grace

00:49:18.340 --> 00:49:20.039
 that we don't recognize

00:49:20.039 --> 00:49:20.880
 that we're in deep water.

00:49:20.880 --> 00:49:23.200
 It shouldn't shock us

00:49:23.200 --> 00:49:25.059
 that Herod was struck down.

00:49:25.880 --> 00:49:26.460
 It should shock us

00:49:26.460 --> 00:49:27.420
 that we're still alive.

00:49:28.220 --> 00:49:28.820
 That every day

00:49:28.820 --> 00:49:29.500
 we wake up

00:49:29.500 --> 00:49:30.519
 and we use the life

00:49:30.519 --> 00:49:31.180
 that we have

00:49:31.180 --> 00:49:32.300
 to rob him of his glory

00:49:32.300 --> 00:49:33.579
 and yet

00:49:33.579 --> 00:49:35.079
 he still holds back.

00:49:36.380 --> 00:49:37.340
 And the good news

00:49:37.340 --> 00:49:38.079
 is that God

00:49:38.079 --> 00:49:39.059
 is not only patient.

00:49:39.660 --> 00:49:41.579
 God actually loves us.

00:49:42.160 --> 00:49:43.860
 He loves even sinners like us.

00:49:44.420 --> 00:49:45.640
 And he sent his son Jesus

00:49:45.640 --> 00:49:46.720
 to die on the cross

00:49:46.720 --> 00:49:47.360
 for our sins.

00:49:48.160 --> 00:49:48.760
 Like Herod,

00:49:49.340 --> 00:49:50.340
 Jesus was struck down.

00:49:51.140 --> 00:49:51.740
 But unlike Herod,

00:49:51.760 --> 00:49:52.559
 not for his sins,

00:49:53.120 --> 00:49:54.019
 Jesus didn't put on

00:49:54.019 --> 00:49:54.760
 his royal robes.

00:49:55.019 --> 00:49:55.880
 He laid them aside.

00:49:56.700 --> 00:49:57.640
 Jesus didn't climb up

00:49:57.640 --> 00:49:58.180
 on the throne.

00:49:58.700 --> 00:49:59.860
 He stepped down from his.

00:50:00.480 --> 00:50:01.600
 He didn't flex his power.

00:50:02.220 --> 00:50:03.180
 Jesus was mocked

00:50:03.180 --> 00:50:04.320
 and nailed to a cross

00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:05.460
 to give God

00:50:05.460 --> 00:50:06.200
 all the glory

00:50:06.200 --> 00:50:06.960
 in saving sinners

00:50:06.960 --> 00:50:07.740
 who don't deserve it.

00:50:08.539 --> 00:50:09.420
 And God raised him

00:50:09.420 --> 00:50:09.900
 from the dead

00:50:09.900 --> 00:50:11.000
 and exalted him

00:50:11.000 --> 00:50:11.720
 and gave him

00:50:11.720 --> 00:50:12.700
 the name that is

00:50:12.700 --> 00:50:13.500
 above every name.

00:50:14.720 --> 00:50:16.280
 We can't save ourselves

00:50:16.280 --> 00:50:17.220
 by our own effort.

00:50:18.000 --> 00:50:19.159
 God gives us new life,

00:50:19.500 --> 00:50:20.480
 breaks our chains,

00:50:20.619 --> 00:50:21.559
 frees us from sin

00:50:21.559 --> 00:50:23.119
 just like he did for Peter.

00:50:24.000 --> 00:50:25.619
 If only we would turn

00:50:25.619 --> 00:50:26.619
 and believe in him.

00:50:28.239 --> 00:50:29.119
 For by grace

00:50:29.119 --> 00:50:29.679
 you have been saved

00:50:29.679 --> 00:50:30.199
 through faith.

00:50:30.539 --> 00:50:31.279
 And this is not

00:50:31.279 --> 00:50:31.919
 your own doing.

00:50:32.419 --> 00:50:33.559
 This is the gift of God,

00:50:33.679 --> 00:50:34.859
 not a result of works

00:50:34.859 --> 00:50:36.459
 so that no one may boast.

00:50:37.399 --> 00:50:38.759
 Don't think that we can work

00:50:38.759 --> 00:50:39.779
 or earn

00:50:39.779 --> 00:50:40.599
 or do anything

00:50:40.599 --> 00:50:41.799
 to earn our way to God.

00:50:42.560 --> 00:50:43.200
 God is the one

00:50:43.200 --> 00:50:43.800
 who saves us

00:50:43.800 --> 00:50:44.680
 from beginning to end

00:50:44.680 --> 00:50:46.160
 and we simply rely,

00:50:46.300 --> 00:50:47.920
 we trust by faith

00:50:47.920 --> 00:50:48.660
 that cheat code

00:50:48.660 --> 00:50:49.500
 on what God,

00:50:49.760 --> 00:50:50.740
 what Jesus did for us

00:50:50.740 --> 00:50:51.340
 on the cross

00:50:51.340 --> 00:50:52.420
 so that God gets

00:50:52.420 --> 00:50:53.000
 all the glory.

00:50:55.600 --> 00:50:56.800
 And so I ask you today,

00:50:57.039 --> 00:50:58.360
 what will you choose?

00:50:59.480 --> 00:51:00.480
 King Herod lived

00:51:00.480 --> 00:51:01.320
 by his strength

00:51:01.320 --> 00:51:02.519
 for his glory

00:51:02.519 --> 00:51:03.820
 and in the end

00:51:03.820 --> 00:51:05.160
 he was eaten by worms

00:51:05.160 --> 00:51:06.180
 and he died.

00:51:06.940 --> 00:51:07.900
 On the other hand,

00:51:08.000 --> 00:51:08.920
 verse 24 says,

00:51:08.920 --> 00:51:10.340
 the word of God

00:51:10.340 --> 00:51:11.780
 increased and multiplied.

00:51:12.860 --> 00:51:13.460
 God wins.

00:51:14.920 --> 00:51:15.800
 Herod died

00:51:15.800 --> 00:51:17.800
 while the gospel multiplied.

00:51:19.200 --> 00:51:21.380
 Are you living like Herod today?

00:51:21.960 --> 00:51:22.740
 Ignorant of God,

00:51:23.139 --> 00:51:24.700
 defiant against him,

00:51:24.820 --> 00:51:25.659
 going your own way.

00:51:27.340 --> 00:51:27.840
 I invite you,

00:51:27.920 --> 00:51:28.559
 turn to Jesus

00:51:28.559 --> 00:51:29.260
 and say,

00:51:29.599 --> 00:51:30.440
 I can do nothing,

00:51:30.559 --> 00:51:31.340
 I deserve nothing,

00:51:31.460 --> 00:51:32.320
 my only hope

00:51:32.320 --> 00:51:34.059
 is what you did

00:51:34.059 --> 00:51:34.579
 on the cross.

00:51:35.260 --> 00:51:36.079
 I need you.

00:51:37.280 --> 00:51:38.820
 And if that's our heart,

00:51:38.920 --> 00:51:40.099
 if that's the posture

00:51:40.099 --> 00:51:40.720
 of our heart

00:51:40.720 --> 00:51:41.840
 when we look at God,

00:51:42.460 --> 00:51:43.480
 that will drive us

00:51:43.480 --> 00:51:44.360
 to our knees in prayer.

00:51:44.840 --> 00:51:45.960
 If God is our strength,

00:51:46.019 --> 00:51:46.960
 we will have to pray.

00:51:47.260 --> 00:51:48.400
 We can't help but pray.

00:51:49.220 --> 00:51:49.840
 So let's reflect.

00:51:49.940 --> 00:51:51.159
 Do we have that instinct

00:51:51.159 --> 00:51:52.400
 and what does that say

00:51:52.400 --> 00:51:53.039
 about our heart?

00:51:54.200 --> 00:51:55.039
 Is there anything

00:51:55.039 --> 00:51:56.300
 we need to repent of today?

00:51:56.940 --> 00:51:57.940
 Of that pride?

00:51:59.940 --> 00:52:02.360
 And let us also pray,

00:52:02.940 --> 00:52:04.119
 knowing that when we pray,

00:52:04.220 --> 00:52:04.960
 God listens.

00:52:05.800 --> 00:52:06.780
 He's able to do

00:52:06.780 --> 00:52:07.699
 far more abundantly

00:52:07.699 --> 00:52:08.679
 than all that we ask

00:52:08.679 --> 00:52:09.019
 or think.

00:52:09.139 --> 00:52:09.840
 We saw that today

00:52:09.840 --> 00:52:10.679
 with the Congo team.

00:52:11.220 --> 00:52:12.780
 God sent them something.

00:52:12.920 --> 00:52:13.599
 They didn't even know,

00:52:13.820 --> 00:52:14.519
 I don't even know

00:52:14.519 --> 00:52:15.280
 if they asked for it.

00:52:16.300 --> 00:52:17.440
 But God answered.

00:52:18.000 --> 00:52:18.639
 He's a God

00:52:18.639 --> 00:52:19.320
 who's able to do

00:52:19.320 --> 00:52:20.179
 far more abundantly

00:52:20.179 --> 00:52:21.059
 than all that we ask

00:52:21.059 --> 00:52:21.400
 or think

00:52:21.400 --> 00:52:22.699
 for his glory.

00:52:23.500 --> 00:52:24.079
 So let's pray.

00:52:24.079 --> 00:52:31.519
 Lord, we admit

00:52:31.519 --> 00:52:32.440
 we can't do anything,

00:52:33.119 --> 00:52:35.199
 but you've given us

00:52:35.199 --> 00:52:36.000
 everything in Jesus

00:52:36.000 --> 00:52:37.039
 and we look to you.

00:52:37.860 --> 00:52:38.619
 And I just pray,

00:52:38.739 --> 00:52:39.279
 for this reason,

00:52:39.360 --> 00:52:39.920
 I bow my knees

00:52:39.920 --> 00:52:40.679
 before the Father

00:52:40.679 --> 00:52:41.980
 from whom every family

00:52:41.980 --> 00:52:43.239
 in heaven and on earth

00:52:43.239 --> 00:52:43.659
 is named.

00:52:44.340 --> 00:52:45.380
 According to the riches

00:52:45.380 --> 00:52:46.039
 of his glory,

00:52:46.119 --> 00:52:46.960
 he may grant you

00:52:46.960 --> 00:52:48.019
 to be strengthened with power

00:52:48.019 --> 00:52:49.199
 through his spirit

00:52:49.199 --> 00:52:50.000
 in your inner being.

00:52:50.779 --> 00:52:51.539
 That Christ may dwell

00:52:51.539 --> 00:52:52.000
 in your hearts

00:52:52.000 --> 00:52:52.519
 through faith.

00:52:52.819 --> 00:52:53.059
 That you,

00:52:53.059 --> 00:52:54.079
 being rooted and grounded

00:52:54.079 --> 00:52:54.460
 in love,

00:52:54.519 --> 00:52:55.019
 may have strength

00:52:55.019 --> 00:52:55.519
 to comprehend

00:52:55.519 --> 00:52:56.279
 with all the saints

00:52:56.279 --> 00:52:57.420
 what is the breadth

00:52:57.420 --> 00:52:58.079
 and length and height

00:52:58.079 --> 00:52:58.460
 and depth

00:52:58.460 --> 00:52:59.340
 and to know the love

00:52:59.340 --> 00:52:59.719
 of Christ

00:52:59.719 --> 00:53:00.679
 that surpasses knowledge

00:53:00.679 --> 00:53:02.539
 and be filled

00:53:02.539 --> 00:53:03.360
 with all the fullness

00:53:03.360 --> 00:53:03.860
 of God.

00:53:04.920 --> 00:53:05.639
 And now to him

00:53:05.639 --> 00:53:06.519
 who's able to do

00:53:06.519 --> 00:53:07.519
 far more abundantly

00:53:07.519 --> 00:53:08.559
 than all that we ask

00:53:08.559 --> 00:53:09.019
 or think

00:53:09.019 --> 00:53:09.920
 according to the power

00:53:09.920 --> 00:53:10.699
 at work within us.

00:53:11.460 --> 00:53:12.340
 To him be the glory

00:53:12.340 --> 00:53:13.019
 in the church

00:53:13.019 --> 00:53:13.900
 and in Christ Jesus

00:53:13.900 --> 00:53:15.579
 forever and ever.

00:53:16.079 --> 00:53:16.320
 Amen.