WEBVTT

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 I was speaking at some meetings yesterday and what happened is what always happens when I go to speak at a meeting.

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! I finished speaking, singing the final hymn, I go and stand somewhere, people come and talk to me.

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 And one of the first questions I'm asked is, Levy, it's a Jewish name, are you Jewish? Are you Jewish?

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 And the answer to that question is I don't really know, yes and no. The Levy family tree is a bit of a mystery.

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 We don't really know where the kind of Jewishness comes from but it's certainly there at some point.

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 And I wonder if you've ever done any work on your family tree.

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 And lots of us are interested in our ancestors, aren't we?

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 We like to know the stories of our family.

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 We like to know where does our name come from.

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 And Acts chapter 11 verse 26 tells us that it was in the city of Antioch in the middle of the first century AD that the name Christian was first used.

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 So Acts chapter 11, here is a piece of our heritage.

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 That word is used, isn't it, all over the world today.

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 And it's used for those who follow Jesus Christ.

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 We are Christians and we meet with Christians all across the globe today.

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 And that name is traceable back to a certain time and a certain place in Acts chapter 11.

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 And so this is a chapter, Acts 11, that should have some historical significance for us.

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 But I want to suggest to you it has far more significance than that.

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 Because this chapter not only tells us where our name comes from, but it tells us where our faith comes from.

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 And where our life comes from as Christians.

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 And it gives us vocabulary to talk about.

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 Vocabulary is so important, isn't it?

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 How you speak about something.

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 What you describe something as.

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 And we're going to think about what vocabulary this chapter leaves us with this morning.

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 The chapter is in two halves.

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 And then I want us to look at the major theme and then trace out the implications.

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 So verses 1 to 18 of Acts chapter 11.

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 Is the work of God in Peter.

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 Chapter 10, do you remember that?

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 It tells us the story of Cornelius coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

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 And receiving the spirit of God along with his whole household.

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 And this was significant precisely because Cornelius was a Gentile, a non-Jew.

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 He wasn't a Jew.

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 And so chapter 10 is like a Gentile Pentecost.

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 It's like a rerun of Acts chapter 2.

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 Because the receiving of God's spirit in Acts chapter 10 marks the beginning of the next stage of Jesus' mission.

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 The gospel is not only going to be for Jerusalem and Judea.

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 But through Samaria.

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 And as we get to the ends of the Acts, we'll see it goes out to the ends of the earth.

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 And chapter 10 though is not the story just of one conversion, is it?

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 But it is two conversions.

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 It is the story of how Peter, the apostle, his mind was changed.

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 It was changed in terms of how a Jew like him was meant to relate to a Gentile like Cornelius.

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 Previously, Peter wouldn't associate with Gentiles.

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 Wouldn't go into their homes.

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 Wouldn't eat with them.

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 But chapter 10 tells us that God persuaded Peter.

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 And he started to live and think differently.

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 Because the gospel, the good news of the Lord Jesus, was being received by the Gentiles.

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 And since they were receiving the spirit of God as well, the Jews needed to receive the Gentiles.

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 And so, the first half of chapter 11, Peter retells the story.

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 And he does so for a specific reason.

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 Because his actions were now being criticized by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.

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 Do you remember when Peter first saw that vision of a sheet coming down from heaven?

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 And all sorts of animals on it.

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 He's told, get up, eat the unclean animals.

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 And his response was, surely not, Lord.

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 Well, that is exactly how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem are reacting to him.

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 You're eating with uncircumcised Gentiles in their homes.

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 Surely not, Peter.

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 Listen again to chapter 11, verse 1.

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 Now, the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea

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 heard that the Gentiles had received the word of God.

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 So, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him.

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 saying, you went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.

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 Circumcision party is a group of people.

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 It's not an event.

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 Alright?

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 It's a far better joke than I was giving credit for.

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 It's a terrible party to go to.

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 Right.

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 At this point, Peter sympathizes, doesn't he, with his critics.

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 Completely.

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 And when they articulate their criticism of him,

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 it's exactly where he was a short time before.

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 His mindset has changed.

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 They're still there.

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 Their mindset was his mindset until very recently.

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 So, he knows that he needs to explain to them how his mindset's changed.

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 That's exactly what he does.

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 Look at verse 4.

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 Peter began and he explained to them in order.

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 He told them about the threefold vision that he had.

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 And then the three men from Caesarea.

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 And then he told them about the meeting he had with Cornelius.

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 And the coming of the Spirit to the Gentile household.

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 And all that text that we have from verses 5 to 15

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 is really a repetition of what chapter 10 is.

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 Except this time it's from Peter's perspective.

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 But when we get to verse 16, there's a little bit of new information.

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 He says,

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 I remembered the word of the Lord, the Lord Jesus.

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 How he said,

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 John the Baptist baptized with water,

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 but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

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 And so, Peter is saying,

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 what happened in chapter 10

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 was in fulfillment of what Jesus had predicted.

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 He's come to see that the baptism that matters most

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 is not the baptism with water,

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 but the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

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 Which God performs.

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 And water baptism is a sign

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 of that Holy Spirit baptism

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 that God brings to every believer.

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 It was the coming of the Spirit

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 to these Gentiles that really clinched it for Peter.

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 And now he's hoping that

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 that will clinch it for his critics too.

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 So in verse 17,

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 he says this,

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 if then God gave the same gift to them

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 as he gave to us

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 when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 who am I to stand in God's way?

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 Do you get Peter's logic?

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 Right, he's saying,

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 if the Spirit of God

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 has come upon these people,

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 then the whole thing

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 is from God

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 and who am I to object to it?

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 And when Peter says that,

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 it's actually pretty pointed,

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 isn't it?

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 Because he's not just saying,

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 is he,

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 who am I to stand in God's way?

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 He's speaking to his fellow leaders in Jerusalem

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 and he's saying,

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 who are you to stand in God's way?

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 That's his explanation

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 to those who just couldn't fathom

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 that he started eating with Gentiles.

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 He says,

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 God has showed him

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 that he needed to stop

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 keeping his distance from the Gentiles

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 and so does every other Jewish believer.

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 And of course,

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 Peter's explanation

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 has exactly the effect

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 that he desired.

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 Verse 18,

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 and when they heard this,

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 they had no further objections.

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 They praised God,

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 saying,

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 so then,

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 even Gentiles,

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 God has granted repentance

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 that leads to life.

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 This is the fruit

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 of Peter's explanation.

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 The other Jewish leaders,

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 they are persuaded

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 that God has granted life

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 to the Gentiles through repentance

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 and there's no room

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 for any Jewish person

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 to prevent them

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 from being welcomed

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 as part of the family of God.

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 And not only did they accept

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 this new conviction,

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 they praised God

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 for what he had done.

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 As one writer puts it,

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 their criticism ceased

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 and their worship began.

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 That's the first half of the chapter

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 where we see the work of God in Peter

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 and it becomes the work of God

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 right the way through

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 the Jerusalem elders.

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 But then in the second half

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 of the chapter,

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 the focus shifts

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 to the work of God

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 in Antioch.

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 The work of God

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 in Antioch.

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 It's a largely Gentile city

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 and in order to set the scene

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 for what happens in Antioch,

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 Luke first has to go back

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 to tell us how the gospel

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 got there in the first place.

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 Do you remember

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 the martyrdom of Stephen?

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 It's recorded in chapter 7

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 and what followed

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 in chapter 8 verse 1

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 is we're told that

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 as a result of Stephen's death,

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 the believers are scattered.

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 They're terrified.

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 They run.

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 They're scattered all over

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 Judea and Samaria.

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 They fled

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 and they escaped from Jerusalem

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 and they ended up

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 in other places

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 and what did they do

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 when they got there?

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 They shared the gospel of Jesus

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 with people who hadn't heard yet.

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 Once again,

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 can you see

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 the sovereign wisdom of God

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 that he even uses

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 the persecution

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 of his people

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 to spread the news

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 of the Lord Jesus?

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 What Luke tells us here

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 is that these scattered believers

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 turned up in cities

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 as far away as Antioch

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 and these scattered believers

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 told other Jews

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 about the Lord Jesus

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 and some of them

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 even started telling

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 Greek people

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 about the Lord Jesus.

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 So verse 19,

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 can you look there?

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 Now,

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 those who were scattered

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 because of the persecution

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 that arose over Stephen

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 travelled as far as Phoenicia

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 and Cyprus

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 and Antioch

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 speaking the word

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 to no one except Jews

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 but there were some of them.

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 Men of Cyprus

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 and Cyrene

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 who weren't coming to Antioch

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 spoke to the Hellenists,

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 the Greeks,

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 also preaching

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 the Lord Jesus.

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 Well,

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 when the Jewish leaders,

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 when the Christian leaders

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 in Jerusalem

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 got wind of this

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 back in headquarters,

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 they are not

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 particularly happy.

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 and so they send

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 a delegation.

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 They send one of their own.

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 They send,

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 verse 22,

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 a man called Barnabas

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 down to Antioch

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 to investigate.

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 And Barnabas

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 is an interesting choice.

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 I'm not sure

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 if you've heard

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 the language

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 that people use

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 to respond

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 to innovators

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 in technology.

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 And so a new piece

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 of technology

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 comes out

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 and how do people respond?

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 There's different responses,

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 aren't there?

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 So some people,

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 when it comes to

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 new technology,

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 a new iPhone

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 or new iPad

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 or something comes out,

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 some people are said

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 to be early adopters.

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 And they love,

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 don't they,

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 trying out new gadgets.

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 There's people like that here.

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 And they love

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 trying out new ways

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 of doing things.

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 And then there's

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 another group

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 and people talk about

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 the early majority.

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 They get on board

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 with some

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 technical advance

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 once that technology

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 has gained

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 a little bit of traction.

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 And then there's

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 another group

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 that are called

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 the later majority.

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 They don't embrace

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 technology

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 until pretty much

00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:52.040
 everyone else has.

00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:54.700
 And then at the other end

00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.300
 there are

00:11:55.300 --> 00:11:56.600
 those who are

00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.440
 the phobics.

00:11:59.100 --> 00:11:59.820
 And they are the people

00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.540
 who are generally

00:12:00.540 --> 00:12:01.960
 allergic to any

00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:02.840
 kind of technological

00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:03.540
 change.

00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:06.000
 There's

00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.120
 the early adopters,

00:12:08.160 --> 00:12:09.600
 there's the early majority,

00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:10.779
 there's the late majority,

00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:12.200
 and then there's

00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:12.779
 the phobics.

00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:14.500
 And the reason

00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.259
 I'm telling you that

00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.180
 is because

00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:17.600
 when it comes to

00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.540
 what God is doing

00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:19.519
 in this period

00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.080
 of history,

00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:21.879
 the new thing

00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:22.820
 that God is doing,

00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.180
 Barnabas is an

00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:24.940
 early adopter.

00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:27.279
 Remember,

00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:27.960
 do you remember

00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.080
 he was the first one

00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:29.720
 to put his arm

00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.220
 around Saul?

00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.379
 When he came to

00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.080
 Jerusalem and all

00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.840
 the other Jewish leaders

00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:35.340
 are terrified of Saul,

00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.460
 Barnabas accepts him.

00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:39.519
 And now he goes

00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.300
 down to Antioch

00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:41.040
 to see what's happening

00:12:41.040 --> 00:12:42.200
 with the Gentiles there.

00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:42.940
 And instead of being

00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:43.940
 sceptical

00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:45.100
 or phobic,

00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:45.700
 he is

00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:46.399
 delighted.

00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.440
 He embraces

00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:50.500
 their newfound faith.

00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.360
 And verse 23,

00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:53.460
 it says,

00:12:53.660 --> 00:12:54.340
 when he came

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.340
 and saw the grace

00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:55.779
 of God,

00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.120
 he was glad.

00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:59.180
 And he exhorted them,

00:12:59.300 --> 00:12:59.840
 encouraged them

00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.879
 all to remain faithful

00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.340
 to the Lord

00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.340
 with steadfast purpose.

00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.320
 And then Lucas

00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:03.860
 tells us

00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.100
 why he was

00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:05.840
 an early adopter.

00:13:06.160 --> 00:13:06.779
 It was because

00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.560
 he was in tune

00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:08.460
 with God's purposes.

00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:09.440
 Verse 24,

00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:10.399
 he was a good man,

00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.420
 full of the Holy Spirit

00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:12.879
 and of faith,

00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:14.779
 and a great

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:15.399
 many people

00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:15.800
 were added

00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:16.259
 to the Lord.

00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.939
 And as that ministry

00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:20.219
 amongst the people

00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:20.799
 of Antioch

00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.120
 grew,

00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:23.639
 soon people realised

00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.259
 he couldn't do it

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:24.939
 all on his own.

00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:27.139
 So he heads off

00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:27.719
 to Tarsus

00:13:27.719 --> 00:13:28.939
 and he brings Saul

00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:29.299
 along.

00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:31.019
 He brings him

00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:31.699
 back to Antioch.

00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.839
 Verse 26 tells us

00:13:32.839 --> 00:13:33.919
 they spent a year

00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:34.459
 together

00:13:34.459 --> 00:13:35.579
 teaching the church

00:13:35.579 --> 00:13:36.179
 in Antioch.

00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:37.919
 And as the church

00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:38.759
 grew,

00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:40.399
 people came up

00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:41.399
 with a new nickname.

00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:44.299
 These believers

00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.939
 are Christians.

00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:49.079
 The people of Christ

00:13:49.079 --> 00:13:50.620
 in Christ ones.

00:13:52.239 --> 00:13:52.739
 And then Luke

00:13:52.739 --> 00:13:53.139
 tells us

00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:53.799
 there's a third

00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.699
 arrival in Antioch

00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:55.659
 after Barnabas

00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:56.479
 and after Saul

00:13:56.479 --> 00:13:56.959
 comes.

00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.039
 There's a prophet

00:13:58.039 --> 00:13:58.599
 from Jerusalem

00:13:58.599 --> 00:13:59.339
 called Agabus

00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:01.219
 and he predicts

00:14:01.219 --> 00:14:02.000
 a worldwide famine.

00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.799
 A famine

00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.620
 that Luke tells us

00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.319
 did take place

00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:05.740
 in the years

00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.680
 that followed.

00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.159
 But the significant

00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:09.700
 thing is

00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.740
 how do the believers

00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.340
 in Antioch

00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.360
 respond to this?

00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.000
 To the prophecy

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.740
 that Agabus brings?

00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.840
 And we read about it

00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.039
 don't we

00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:17.899
 in the last two verses.

00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:18.980
 Verse 29

00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:20.539
 the disciples determined

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:22.159
 everyone according

00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.759
 to his ability

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.600
 to send relief

00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.180
 to the brothers

00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:26.100
 living in Judea.

00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:26.759
 And they did so.

00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.960
 Sending it to the elders

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.680
 by the hand of

00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.360
 Barnabas and Saul.

00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.680
 They give generously.

00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:36.859
 The church in Antioch

00:14:36.859 --> 00:14:37.639
 gives to

00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:39.399
 the church in Judea.

00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.739
 They want to help

00:14:41.739 --> 00:14:42.279
 their brothers and sisters.

00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.479
 They are connected.

00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.639
 There is a formal

00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:45.539
 connection there.

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.500
 And so they pull together

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.599
 and they send money

00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.739
 with Paul and Barnabas.

00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.859
 And as they head

00:14:50.859 --> 00:14:51.679
 back to Judea

00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:53.259
 it's a wonderful moment

00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.199
 in the story isn't it?

00:14:55.239 --> 00:14:56.500
 The Gentiles

00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.199
 whom the Jews

00:14:58.199 --> 00:14:59.179
 at the start of the chapter

00:14:59.179 --> 00:14:59.979
 wouldn't even spend

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.779
 a meal with

00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:04.060
 are now caring

00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:05.180
 for the very people

00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:06.440
 who wanted to exclude them.

00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.539
 It's a stunning

00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.659
 reversal isn't it?

00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.440
 And it's another example

00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.139
 of the pattern

00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.379
 we've seen a few times

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:15.980
 in Acts

00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.720
 of God's people

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.779
 caring for one another

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.240
 in need.

00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.600
 Except now

00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.539
 it includes the Gentiles

00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:22.960
 as well.

00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.139
 Gentiles loving

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.480
 and serving Jews.

00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.180
 It's an evocative picture

00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.939
 of what the mission

00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.979
 of Jesus has accomplished.

00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.500
 The unity of Jewish

00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:33.000
 and Gentiles

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.000
 in fellowship

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.819
 and love

00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.839
 all together.

00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.639
 At the end

00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.439
 of the first half

00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:39.899
 of the chapter

00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.699
 the Gentiles

00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:41.599
 are receiving a gift

00:15:41.599 --> 00:15:42.559
 the gift of the Holy Spirit.

00:15:43.599 --> 00:15:44.000
 At the end

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.699
 of the second half

00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:45.139
 of the chapter

00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.899
 the Gentiles

00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.319
 are the ones

00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:46.959
 giving a gift.

00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:48.239
 And the two

00:15:48.239 --> 00:15:49.739
 are inextricably linked.

00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.899
 Because what happened

00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.500
 in Antioch

00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.519
 was the work of God.

00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.339
 Just like what happened

00:15:57.339 --> 00:15:57.859
 to Peter

00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:59.560
 was the work of God.

00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.419
 And what happened

00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.220
 to Cornelius

00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:02.720
 and what happened

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.840
 to those Jewish leaders

00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.700
 in Jerusalem

00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.519
 who did a complete

00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.000
 180 degree turn

00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:10.259
 it was the work of God.

00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.519
 And that I think

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.419
 is the big theme

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.360
 that ties together

00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.300
 Acts chapter 11.

00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.720
 The work of God.

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.960
 We hear about it

00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.720
 in the first half

00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.519
 of the chapter

00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.180
 with Peter.

00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.000
 The work of God

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.019
 and then in the second half

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.420
 of the chapter

00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.120
 we hear about it

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.720
 in Antioch.

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.600
 The word of God

00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.759
 that people are speaking.

00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:37.480
 People speaking to

00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:39.679
 seeking to persuade others.

00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.379
 People praying.

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.340
 People going.

00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:47.279
 But what is accomplished here

00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.879
 is accomplished

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.279
 under the Lord's hand.

00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:53.839
 And I want to remind you

00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:54.399
 of how Luke

00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.259
 underlines that.

00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.299
 So track with me

00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:57.100
 through this chapter.

00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.279
 What is it

00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:01.120
 that Peter explains

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:03.000
 the 180 degree

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.980
 that he has done

00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.460
 with respect

00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.180
 to the Gentiles?

00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.180
 He talks about

00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.539
 the vision

00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.299
 that he received

00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.059
 from God.

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.079
 And then he talks

00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:12.819
 to us

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.660
 about the messengers

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.319
 that were sent

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:14.799
 to him

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.960
 by God.

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.759
 And then he talks

00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.420
 about the spirit

00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:18.960
 of God

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.440
 who told him

00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.519
 to go with these men

00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.580
 and the voice

00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:22.240
 that he heard

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.279
 was the voice of God.

00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.160
 And he tells

00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.220
 the circumstances

00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.160
 in which God

00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.460
 was revealing himself

00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.259
 to Peter

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.900
 while at the same time

00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:32.039
 working in another city

00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.880
 to reveal himself

00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.740
 to Cornelius

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.640
 before bringing

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.340
 the two together.

00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:37.100
 God's divine purpose.

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:39.159
 And then he tells

00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:39.859
 about the spirit

00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.459
 falling on Cornelius.

00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.519
 The spirit

00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.839
 who unmistakably

00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.759
 came from God.

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.639
 He makes the point

00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.219
 very explicitly

00:17:46.219 --> 00:17:46.939
 in verse 17.

00:17:47.419 --> 00:17:48.399
 He says that God

00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.279
 gave them the gift

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:49.879
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:52.079
 All the events

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.839
 that Peter describes

00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.839
 are the work of God.

00:17:55.679 --> 00:17:56.339
 And then when

00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:58.019
 the Jerusalem leaders

00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.879
 reflect back to Peter

00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:01.319
 what they've just learned,

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.179
 listen to the language

00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:02.539
 they choose.

00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.339
 Look at verse 18.

00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.819
 They say even

00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.599
 the Gentiles

00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.959
 God has granted

00:18:07.959 --> 00:18:08.699
 repentance to.

00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.419
 And when they heard

00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:10.819
 these things

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.720
 they fell silent

00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.599
 and they glorified God.

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.619
 Saying then

00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.799
 to the Gentiles

00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.639
 God

00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:19.259
 has also granted

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.779
 repentance

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.859
 that leads to life.

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.599
 It's a pretty

00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.679
 interesting way

00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:24.220
 to speak about repentance.

00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.139
 Repentance means

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.459
 when you turn away

00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:29.679
 from your own sins

00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:30.959
 and you turn back

00:18:30.959 --> 00:18:31.539
 to God.

00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:33.220
 You turn away

00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.539
 from going

00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.559
 your own way

00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.759
 to God.

00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.120
 It's what

00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:39.160
 every Christian

00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.120
 must do

00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:41.059
 to be a Christian.

00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.539
 The command

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.279
 is to repent.

00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.200
 It's an action

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.539
 isn't it?

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.779
 It's a choice

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.360
 to make.

00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.559
 And yet

00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.360
 the Jewish leaders

00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:52.960
 in the way

00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.860
 that they describe it here

00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.519
 they describe it

00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:54.980
 as a gift

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.720
 of God.

00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.720
 The repentance

00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.620
 of the Gentiles

00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.079
 they say

00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.600
 has been

00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.900
 gifted to them

00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.759
 granted to them

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.360
 by God.

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.720
 Their repentance

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.640
 their turning

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.380
 was a gift

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.000
 of divine

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.840
 grace and favour.

00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:11.200
 And the language

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.400
 is very deliberate.

00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.400
 Vocabulary

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.400
 matters.

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.580
 And then listen

00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.220
 to how Luke

00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:18.759
 describes what

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.620
 happened in Antioch

00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.560
 when Jewish Christians

00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.300
 first turned up

00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:21.980
 there with the gospel.

00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.220
 There were believers

00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.360
 teaching in Antioch

00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:26.240
 and responding

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.640
 of course

00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.400
 but once again

00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.220
 Luke chooses

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.960
 his language

00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.420
 really carefully

00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.740
 and he focuses

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.380
 on the way

00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.299
 that God's power

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.079
 was at work.

00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:35.900
 The vocabulary

00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.319
 matters.

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.980
 Look at verse 21

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.019
 and the

00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.740
 hand of the Lord

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.140
 was with them.

00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.120
 And a great number

00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.980
 of people who believed

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.120
 turned to the Lord.

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.600
 By the hand

00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:48.299
 of the Lord

00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.440
 the people

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.059
 turned

00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.920
 to the Lord.

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.720
 It was God

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.559
 who changed

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.299
 their hearts

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.259
 and their lives.

00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:58.700
 And then finally

00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.899
 look how Luke

00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:01.039
 describes the reaction

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.519
 of Barnabas

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.119
 when he turns up

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.579
 in Antioch

00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.059
 and he finds

00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.819
 all these Christians

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.079
 there.

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.359
 He came

00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.220
 and he saw

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.059
 verse 23

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:09.940
 the grace

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.480
 of God

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.659
 and he was glad.

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.279
 It doesn't say

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.119
 Barnabas arrived

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.539
 and he saw

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.619
 the scattered Christians

00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.399
 what they'd managed

00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:18.899
 to achieve

00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.559
 through their ministry.

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.079
 He doesn't say

00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.599
 Barnabas arrived

00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.279
 and he saw

00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.139
 what the people

00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.700
 of Antioch

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.119
 had done

00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.700
 by turning

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.220
 to Jesus.

00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.000
 He says

00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.000
 Barnabas

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.899
 arrived

00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:30.940
 and he saw

00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.859
 the grace

00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.359
 of God.

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.740
 What God

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.019
 had done.

00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.279
 He chooses

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.279
 his language

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.559
 very carefully.

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.480
 Vocabulary

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.200
 matters.

00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.379
 And we find

00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:43.839
 this language

00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.279
 being used

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.059
 over and over

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.859
 and over again

00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:46.500
 and it's carefully

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.700
 chosen at every point

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.299
 because Luke

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.220
 the author of Acts

00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.299
 wants you and I

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.859
 to understand

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.440
 what this story

00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:51.839
 is about.

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:54.339
 this book

00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.000
 is known

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.359
 isn't it

00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.019
 as the Acts

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.879
 of the Apostles

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.019
 but we know

00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.939
 that it should

00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.339
 be known

00:20:59.339 --> 00:20:59.980
 as the Acts

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.559
 of God

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:03.179
 because the mission

00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:03.859
 of the Apostles

00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.339
 is the mission

00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.779
 of Jesus

00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.220
 and the birth

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.279
 of the early church

00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.079
 is the work

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.539
 of Jesus

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.879
 and the spread

00:21:09.879 --> 00:21:10.459
 of the gospel

00:21:10.459 --> 00:21:11.539
 throughout the known

00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.559
 world at this time

00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.519
 is the plan

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:13.879
 of God

00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:14.759
 fulfilled by God

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:16.699
 in the power

00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:17.419
 of the Holy Spirit

00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.300
 and in the name

00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:18.740
 of his son

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.400
 Jesus Christ.

00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:22.940
 What Acts 11

00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.080
 tells us

00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:26.779
 and what in fact

00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.460
 the whole book

00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.400
 of Acts tells us

00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.240
 is that God

00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.200
 is at work

00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.800
 in people's lives

00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:33.920
 and this chapter

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.800
 is at pains

00:21:34.800 --> 00:21:35.600
 to point that out.

00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.700
 This chapter

00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:39.039
 chooses its vocabulary

00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.019
 really carefully

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.620
 it's a chapter

00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.279
 about the work

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.660
 of God

00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.720
 and the work

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.040
 of God

00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:45.480
 continues to this day

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.160
 and it continues

00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.740
 here

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.080
 and all over

00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:48.620
 the world.

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.580
 It continues

00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:52.560
 in our lives

00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:53.420
 in the lives

00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.400
 of people around us

00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.279
 so how do we

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.080
 respond to it?

00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.480
 I want to finish

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.600
 with four applications

00:21:59.600 --> 00:21:59.900
 alright

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.580
 they're on your sheet

00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:00.880
 actually

00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.360
 I wrote them

00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:01.840
 under the sermon

00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.400
 because you won't

00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.019
 remember them.

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.340
 Four suggestions

00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.380
 on the significance

00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.100
 of this chapter

00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.540
 for you

00:22:09.540 --> 00:22:10.019
 and for me.

00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:12.180
 First of all

00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.519
 believing and repenting

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.839
 that is

00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:17.019
 the fundamental

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.279
 work of God

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.180
 in someone's life

00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:21.920
 and Acts 11

00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.619
 reminds us of that

00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:22.960
 look again

00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.519
 at verse 18

00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.019
 when they heard

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.379
 these things

00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.139
 they fell silent

00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:26.160
 they glorified God

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.559
 saying then

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.440
 to the Gentiles

00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.480
 also God

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.259
 has granted

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.680
 repentance

00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.700
 that leads to life.

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.379
 Verse 21

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.619
 and the hand

00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:32.960
 of the Lord

00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.440
 was with them

00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.119
 and a great number

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.599
 who believed

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.359
 turned to the Lord.

00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.500
 If you are

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.279
 trusting in the Lord

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.759
 Jesus Christ

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.180
 this morning

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:43.019
 if you would

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.900
 call yourself

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.380
 a Christian

00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:46.839
 if you are

00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.299
 a believer

00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:47.819
 in the Lord

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.500
 Jesus Christ

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.279
 then this

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.279
 work of God

00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.000
 must have

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.519
 taken place

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.000
 in your life

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:55.619
 and given

00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.420
 it is a work

00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.980
 of God

00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.279
 you should

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.660
 thank him

00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.000
 for it.

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.180
 God

00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.380
 granted

00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:02.079
 you

00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.039
 repentance

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:05.859
 and you

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.420
 must resist

00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.159
 that temptation

00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.980
 to think

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.359
 that your

00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.879
 relationship

00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.460
 with God

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.879
 is something

00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.500
 that you've

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.019
 initiated

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.659
 you've

00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.119
 created

00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.619
 you deserve

00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:18.099
 and of course

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.500
 the other

00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.019
 implication

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.819
 is a sobering

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.059
 one

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.000
 that if you've

00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.960
 never believed

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.539
 the gospel

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:26.980
 if you've

00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.819
 never turned

00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:29.059
 from your sins

00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.679
 then you

00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.079
 cannot

00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.039
 rightly

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.720
 call yourself

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.179
 a Christian

00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:35.819
 because this

00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.399
 is at the

00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:36.779
 heart

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.099
 of what

00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.480
 a Christian

00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:37.899
 is

00:23:37.899 --> 00:23:39.599
 someone

00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.079
 who turns

00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.259
 away

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.659
 from living

00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.559
 from themselves

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.319
 in order

00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.799
 to live

00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.599
 for God

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:45.579
 somebody

00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.159
 who realises

00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:46.539
 that they

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.179
 need the

00:23:47.179 --> 00:23:47.679
 Lord Jesus

00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.460
 that God

00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.039
 sent to

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.619
 save us

00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:51.839
 and so

00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.179
 if you're

00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:52.579
 here this

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:52.899
 morning

00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.659
 and you're

00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:53.879
 still

00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.479
 considering

00:23:54.479 --> 00:23:56.459
 what it

00:23:56.459 --> 00:23:56.939
 will mean

00:23:56.939 --> 00:23:57.459
 if and

00:23:57.459 --> 00:23:57.959
 when

00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:59.179
 you are

00:23:59.179 --> 00:23:59.639
 ready to

00:23:59.639 --> 00:23:59.979
 become a

00:23:59.979 --> 00:24:00.319
 Christian

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.359
 what it

00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:01.759
 will mean

00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.059
 is it

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.479
 will mean

00:24:02.479 --> 00:24:03.259
 believing

00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.719
 and repenting

00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:07.519
 it will

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.179
 mean trusting

00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:08.979
 and following

00:24:08.979 --> 00:24:09.459
 the Lord

00:24:09.459 --> 00:24:09.719
 Jesus

00:24:09.719 --> 00:24:10.679
 and turning

00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.299
 away from

00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.679
 living for

00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.139
 yourself

00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:14.519
 and given

00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.139
 that this

00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.539
 is the

00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.119
 work of

00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.479
 God

00:24:16.479 --> 00:24:18.239
 the best

00:24:18.239 --> 00:24:18.639
 thing that

00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.000
 you can do

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.379
 this morning

00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:19.960
 the best

00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.260
 way that

00:24:20.260 --> 00:24:20.500
 you can

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.820
 move in

00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:20.980
 that

00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.360
 direction

00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.000
 is praying

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.700
 this morning

00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:24.300
 God

00:24:24.300 --> 00:24:25.460
 please

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.300
 give me

00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.680
 repentance

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.220
 and faith

00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:31.200
 secondly

00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.740
 through trusting

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.180
 and praying

00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:34.660
 because if

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.660
 Acts 11

00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:37.400
 suggests that

00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.960
 people becoming

00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.360
 Christians

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.840
 is a work

00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:39.320
 of God

00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.980
 then those

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.220
 of us

00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.680
 who want

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.160
 to see

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.520
 people

00:24:42.520 --> 00:24:42.980
 become

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.500
 Christians

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.660
 need to

00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:44.960
 make sure

00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.180
 that we

00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.560
 don't get

00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:46.020
 too big

00:24:46.020 --> 00:24:46.300
 for our

00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:46.540
 boots

00:24:46.540 --> 00:24:48.760
 and we

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.059
 need to

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.819
 remember

00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.839
 that we

00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:52.379
 may well

00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:52.779
 try and

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.640
 explain

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:55.099
 the gospel

00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.920
 to others

00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.460
 and we

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.059
 may try

00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.559
 and live

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.220
 in a way

00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.799
 that shows

00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.259
 people the

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.640
 love of

00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:00.900
 the Lord

00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.200
 Jesus

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:01.940
 and we

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.619
 may really

00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.759
 want people

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.759
 to love

00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.259
 to share

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.720
 our faith

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:05.960
 I hope

00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.400
 that's true

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.059
 but it

00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.500
 is God

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:07.940
 alone

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.559
 it is God

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:09.940
 alone who

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.460
 can ultimately

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:10.839
 make that

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.160
 happen

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.720
 and so

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.220
 we need

00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.840
 to trust

00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:14.240
 him

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.259
 for his

00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.640
 work

00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:17.620
 and it

00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.120
 makes a lot

00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.540
 of sense

00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:18.840
 for us

00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:19.440
 to pray

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.779
 about it

00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.040
 because

00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:20.920
 prayer

00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.400
 what is

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:21.620
 prayer

00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.300
 prayer is

00:25:22.300 --> 00:25:23.259
 articulating

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.580
 that we

00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.240
 depend on

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.620
 God to

00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:25.840
 change

00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.140
 people

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:29.540
 prayer is

00:25:29.540 --> 00:25:29.880
 our

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.259
 admission

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.980
 that we

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.420
 can't

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:32.800
 change a

00:25:32.800 --> 00:25:33.140
 person's

00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:33.460
 heart

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:36.180
 prayer is

00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.580
 our plea

00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.340
 that God

00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:37.660
 would do

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:37.980
 that

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.400
 and God

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:39.640
 alone

00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:39.920
 would do

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.160
 that

00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:42.920
 and so

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.220
 if you

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.660
 want people

00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.040
 in your

00:25:44.040 --> 00:25:44.360
 life

00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:44.560
 and I

00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:44.800
 hope you

00:25:44.800 --> 00:25:44.940
 do

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.480
 to repent

00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.220
 and believe

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.460
 in the

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:46.620
 Lord

00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:46.860
 Jesus

00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.519
 pray for

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.720
 them

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:50.220
 ask God

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.759
 to work

00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.120
 in their

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.440
 hearts

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:51.720
 and if

00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:51.980
 as a

00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.220
 church

00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.640
 we want

00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:52.960
 our

00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.220
 church

00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.920
 to grow

00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.800
 for more

00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.259
 people to

00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.980
 come and

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.380
 join us

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.700
 for more

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.120
 people to

00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.880
 grow in

00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.380
 their faith

00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.900
 to trust

00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.240
 the Lord

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.500
 Jesus

00:25:59.500 --> 00:25:59.960
 we need

00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.400
 to pray

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:04.360
 you may

00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.840
 or may

00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:05.060
 not be

00:26:05.060 --> 00:26:05.400
 aware of

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.680
 this but

00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:05.960
 there are

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.420
 thousands

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.080
 and thousands

00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.080
 of books

00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:08.660
 written about

00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.019
 what they

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.540
 call church

00:26:09.540 --> 00:26:09.820
 growth

00:26:09.820 --> 00:26:10.140
 strategies

00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:12.600
 every

00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.279
 Christian

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.820
 wants to

00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.360
 see churches

00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:15.900
 grow

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.140
 and in

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.420
 the UK

00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.680
 at the

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:17.880
 moment

00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.220
 there is

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.279
 lots of

00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.800
 ink being

00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.060
 spilled

00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:20.259
 on

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.160
 the way

00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.420
 you grow

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.640
 churches

00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.100
 is actually

00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:22.580
 by being

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.400
 better

00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:23.960
 organised

00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:25.160
 and lots

00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.640
 of structure

00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.200
 in place

00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.500
 and lots

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.740
 of things

00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.100
 like that

00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:30.120
 but I

00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.300
 want to

00:26:30.300 --> 00:26:30.740
 remind you

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.560
 that here

00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.940
 at IPC

00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.360
 and we

00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.060
 have one

00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.660
 primary

00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.300
 strategy

00:26:36.300 --> 00:26:37.340
 for growth

00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:38.980
 and

00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.500
 everything

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.079
 else

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.079
 is

00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.699
 secondary

00:26:41.699 --> 00:26:42.179
 to that

00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:44.079
 that is

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.439
 we pray

00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:48.859
 we pray

00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.299
 because

00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.959
 we are

00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:50.559
 convinced

00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.399
 that people

00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:51.799
 becoming

00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.299
 Christians

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.720
 is the

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.259
 work of

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.559
 God

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:56.419
 and we

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:56.639
 trust

00:26:56.639 --> 00:26:56.839
 him to

00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.779
 do it

00:26:57.779 --> 00:27:00.359
 thirdly

00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:00.720
 seeing

00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:00.919
 and

00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.199
 praising

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:04.440
 I hope

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.299
 you notice

00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.120
 that's what

00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:06.680
 Barnabas did

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:06.920
 in this

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.200
 chapter

00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.900
 he saw

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.360
 and he

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.720
 praised

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.519
 and he

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.019
 took time

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.620
 to observe

00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.080
 the work

00:27:12.080 --> 00:27:12.580
 of God

00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:14.539
 and when

00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:14.920
 he looked

00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.180
 at the

00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.480
 lives

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:15.720
 of the

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:15.900
 people

00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.180
 that he

00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:16.420
 met

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:16.740
 he was

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:16.960
 filled

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.440
 with joy

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.740
 and he

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.080
 worshipped

00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:18.380
 God

00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:20.819
 do you

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:20.980
 remember

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.259
 that when

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.660
 he arrived

00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:21.940
 in verse

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.360
 23

00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.100
 he saw

00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:24.059
 what the

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.420
 grace of

00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:24.580
 God

00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:24.860
 had done

00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.039
 and he

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.420
 was glad

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:25.620
 and he

00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.000
 encouraged

00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.400
 them all

00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:28.559
 and so

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.019
 surely

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.140
 part of

00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.519
 what

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:32.259
 the work

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.660
 of God

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.059
 in our

00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.259
 church

00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.579
 means

00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:33.980
 is that

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.539
 we'll

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:34.700
 do

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.039
 likewise

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:37.920
 it

00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.299
 means

00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.700
 I think

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.039
 that we'll

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.359
 actually

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.259
 slow down

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.680
 enough

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:42.000
 to see

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.359
 what God

00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:42.819
 is doing

00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:44.180
 by his

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.559
 grace

00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.900
 and I

00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.200
 suspect

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.559
 when we

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.119
 do that

00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.619
 we won't

00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:48.980
 be able

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.339
 to stop

00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:49.920
 being glad

00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:52.579
 because

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:52.960
 one of the

00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.259
 privileges

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.680
 of being

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.259
 part of

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.660
 a church

00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.119
 like this

00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.720
 is that

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:55.980
 there are

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.480
 examples

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:56.859
 of the

00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.039
 work

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.400
 of God

00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:59.700
 all around

00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.119
 you this

00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.440
 morning

00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:00.880
 and that

00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.039
 should

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.279
 thrill

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.480
 your

00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:01.840
 heart

00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:05.519
 one of

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:05.660
 the

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.059
 thrills

00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.440
 of being

00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:06.820
 part of

00:28:06.820 --> 00:28:07.180
 a church

00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:07.660
 family

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:10.279
 is seeing

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.740
 the signs

00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.120
 of God's

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.440
 grace

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.759
 and I

00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:13.960
 certainly

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.320
 find that

00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:14.600
 thrilling

00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:17.180
 so for

00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.519
 example

00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:19.480
 we have a

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.960
 couple in

00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.559
 our church

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.140
 who in the

00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.779
 midst of

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.340
 great

00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:22.920
 great

00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.680
 heartache

00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:25.320
 and sadness

00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:25.840
 have kept

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.240
 loving the

00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.500
 Lord

00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:26.940
 God

00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:29.539
 do you see

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:29.740
 what the

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.059
 grace of

00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.200
 God

00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.500
 has done

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:33.779
 we have

00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.259
 people sitting

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.079
 here in

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.359
 front of

00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.839
 me who've

00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.140
 come from

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.619
 a background

00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.279
 that saying

00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.720
 it would be

00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.500
 dysfunctional

00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:38.779
 would be

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.180
 putting a

00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.980
 very positive

00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.539
 spin on

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.759
 it

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:43.559
 but with

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:43.859
 God's

00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.220
 grace

00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.279
 and help

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:47.400
 they've put

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.799
 their lives

00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.359
 back together

00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:50.119
 and they're

00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.539
 living for

00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:50.819
 God

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.200
 do you see

00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.440
 what the

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:51.740
 grace of

00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:51.900
 God

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.220
 has done

00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:55.900
 there are

00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:56.480
 people here

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.980
 who've

00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.620
 managed

00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.700
 to forgive

00:28:58.700 --> 00:29:00.640
 with

00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:00.960
 God's

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.299
 strength

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:03.900
 there are

00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.279
 people here

00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.740
 whose marriage

00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.400
 is hard

00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.160
 and it's

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.940
 often hard

00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:08.620
 but they've

00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.000
 continued

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.059
 over many

00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.519
 years to

00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.000
 faithfully

00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.839
 serve Jesus

00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.480
 and keep

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.019
 trusting him

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.400
 and stay

00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.720
 together

00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:15.360
 do you see

00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:15.579
 what the

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:15.880
 grace of

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.019
 God

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.360
 has done

00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:21.079
 we have a

00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:21.339
 man in

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.700
 our church

00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.319
 who a

00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.559
 number of

00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:22.860
 years ago

00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.420
 was completely

00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.819
 ignoring

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.160
 God

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.480
 and he

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:24.840
 needed a

00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:26.440
 hand over

00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.000
 control of

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.340
 his life

00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:27.779
 to Jesus

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:30.559
 and he

00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:30.720
 did

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.220
 he repented

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.819
 he believed

00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.259
 and he

00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.740
 continues to

00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:32.980
 believe

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:35.180
 and God

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.019
 continues to

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.600
 give him

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.860
 victory over

00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.600
 his temptations

00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.160
 and addictions

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.440
 do you see

00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:40.640
 what the

00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.160
 grace of

00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.480
 God has

00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.640
 done

00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:44.940
 we have

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.380
 women in

00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:45.759
 our church

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.039
 who would

00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.660
 love to

00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.080
 be married

00:29:47.080 --> 00:29:47.600
 but God

00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.080
 hasn't

00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.980
 opened that

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.240
 door

00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:51.220
 and they

00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:52.240
 feel lonely

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.839
 at times

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:54.360
 but they

00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:54.579
 haven't

00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:54.819
 become

00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.120
 bitter

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.860
 they've

00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.160
 devoted

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.519
 themselves

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.259
 to serving

00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.940
 and loving

00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.420
 God's

00:29:59.420 --> 00:29:59.700
 people

00:29:59.700 --> 00:29:59.960
 do you

00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.200
 see what

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.480
 the grace

00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:00.799
 of God

00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.120
 has done

00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:04.460
 we have

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:04.759
 people in

00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.079
 our church

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.480
 who struggle

00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:05.960
 with chronic

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.600
 anxiety

00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:07.940
 it's a very

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.700
 heavy burden

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.299
 to bear at

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.880
 times and at

00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.299
 times it's

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.019
 been overwhelming

00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.880
 but they've

00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.460
 surrendered their

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.019
 life to the

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.559
 lordship of

00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:14.839
 Jesus

00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:16.559
 and they

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.200
 trust in him

00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:17.640
 to get them

00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.019
 through every

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.339
 day

00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:20.420
 to keep

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.000
 persevering

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.519
 in all the

00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:21.879
 ups and

00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.160
 downs

00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:22.480
 to keep

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.799
 growing

00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.220
 to keep

00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.720
 looking to

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.220
 serve others

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.680
 in whatever

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.019
 way they

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.319
 can

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.539
 do you see

00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:26.779
 what the

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.119
 grace of

00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.759
 God has

00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:27.960
 done

00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:31.220
 we have

00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.240
 teenagers

00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.799
 who are in

00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.619
 school and

00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:33.980
 have been

00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.900
 unashamed of

00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.180
 the lord

00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.740
 Jesus but

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.019
 they are

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.639
 outsiders

00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.859
 and they

00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.240
 don't fit

00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:38.839
 in and

00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.180
 they're given

00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:39.700
 a hard

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.500
 time but

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.139
 they bravely

00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:41.680
 stand for

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:41.900
 him

00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:44.940
 do you see

00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.160
 what the

00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.480
 grace of

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.799
 God has

00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.000
 done

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:48.819
 we have

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.380
 those for

00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.019
 whom grief

00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.599
 is a

00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.059
 daily

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.279
 painful

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.099
 companion

00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:55.500
 and yet

00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:55.960
 they keep

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.740
 reading their

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.980
 bibles and

00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.759
 praying and

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.539
 trusting in the

00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.200
 lord Jesus who

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.460
 is the

00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.119
 resurrection and

00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.440
 the life

00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:05.839
 they are

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.240
 just

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.000
 examples

00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.759
 there are

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.299
 plenty more

00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:09.880
 stories sitting

00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.380
 around you

00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:13.339
 there are as

00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.500
 many stories as

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:14.940
 there are people

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.559
 sitting next to

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:15.740
 you

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.980
 and what I'm

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.279
 trying to

00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.759
 what I'm

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.160
 trying to

00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.779
 communicate is

00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.240
 this to you

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.799
 sometimes we

00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.319
 just need to

00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:21.799
 open our

00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.559
 eyes to

00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.099
 see like

00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.779
 Barnabas did

00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:26.700
 and I'm

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:26.920
 trying to

00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.420
 teach you that

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.519
 language matters

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.640
 vocabulary matters

00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.359
 because if we

00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:30.759
 get the

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.759
 vocabulary right

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.880
 seeing who has

00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.700
 really done

00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.279
 these things

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.799
 amongst us

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.359
 it will lead

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.019
 us to respond

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.980
 rightly with

00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.740
 praise

00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:41.980
 see what the

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.599
 graces of

00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.079
 God has done

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:45.299
 fourthly and

00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:45.759
 briefly and

00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.839
 finally remaining

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.240
 true

00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:50.019
 remaining true

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:52.139
 I look at

00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:53.039
 verse 23

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.619
 this was

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.119
 Barnabas's

00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.819
 message for

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.480
 them keep

00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.519
 going stand

00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.859
 firm

00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:59.859
 having seen the

00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.299
 grace of God

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.759
 in that city

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.559
 he urged them

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.220
 to never

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.439
 depart from

00:32:03.439 --> 00:32:04.179
 that grace

00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:04.939
 instead he

00:32:04.939 --> 00:32:05.659
 pleaded with

00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:06.419
 them be loyal

00:32:06.419 --> 00:32:07.119
 to Jesus

00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.939
 with all of

00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.419
 your hearts

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:12.640
 I think it's

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.120
 when we see

00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.700
 how gracious

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.759
 God has been

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.440
 to us

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:18.000
 that our

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.660
 desire to

00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:19.860
 stick with

00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:20.380
 his grace

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:20.840
 grows

00:32:20.840 --> 00:32:23.460
 and so the

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.019
 risen and

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.720
 exalted Lord

00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.860
 Jesus urges

00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:26.960
 you this

00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.160
 morning in

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.840
 the same way

00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:29.539
 that Barnabas

00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.440
 urged them in

00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:31.360
 Antioch where

00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:31.860
 they were first

00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.759
 called Christians

00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:36.060
 our spiritual

00:32:36.060 --> 00:32:36.640
 forebears

00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:38.300
 saw the work

00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.740
 of God

00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:40.680
 and they

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.680
 responded as

00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.099
 they should

00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.639
 and you and

00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:43.240
 I bear the

00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.799
 same name

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:46.200
 we have the

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.000
 same responsibility

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.539
 and the same

00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:47.859
 joy

00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:49.819
 and having

00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.859
 seen God

00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:52.039
 work in our

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.559
 lives

00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:54.980
 having seen

00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.299
 that our

00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:55.960
 repenting

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.299
 and our

00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:56.759
 believing

00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.559
 is actually

00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.200
 God's gift

00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.799
 to us

00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:02.559
 having seen

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.480
 his initiative

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.399
 the fruit of

00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:05.059
 his power

00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:06.059
 having seen

00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.680
 his grace

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.379
 and tasted

00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:08.520
 just how sweet

00:33:08.520 --> 00:33:08.980
 it is

00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.760
 he calls

00:33:10.760 --> 00:33:11.100
 on us

00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.740
 to stay

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.580
 close to

00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:12.840
 him

00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:15.820
 to stay

00:33:15.820 --> 00:33:16.420
 true to

00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:16.960
 his grace

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:19.740
 as verse

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.900
 23 says

00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:23.320
 when he

00:33:23.320 --> 00:33:23.760
 came

00:33:23.760 --> 00:33:25.260
 and saw

00:33:25.260 --> 00:33:25.900
 the grace

00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.400
 of God

00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:26.740
 he was

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.360
 glad

00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:29.060
 and he

00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:29.560
 exhorted

00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.120
 them all

00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:30.780
 to remain

00:33:30.780 --> 00:33:31.460
 faithful to

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:31.880
 the Lord

00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:33.720
 with

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.400
 steadfast

00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:34.940
 purpose

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:38.560
 let me

00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:38.860
 pray for

00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.060
 us