WEBVTT

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 where we finished reading.

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 And this encompasses the prayer of those who at that time formed the church

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 and were concerned, obviously, for the gospel and the advance of the gospel.

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 The book of Acts is crucial for the church and every generation.

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 It's not that we set it above any other book of scripture, any other part of scripture,

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 but the book of Acts is the establishing of the church in the age of the Spirit,

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 the age of the Holy Spirit, who came down at Pentecost

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 in accordance with a promise given in the Old Testament scriptures.

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 And because of that, it's a book that we need to come back to again and again

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 to remind ourselves of what it means really to belong to the church of God,

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 what it means to belong to a church that seeks to go out with the news of the gospel

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 to the world in which God has placed them.

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 Because this passage itself is a passage where we find such things as imprisonments,

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 intimidation, persecution, threats, all of these things that were faced then

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 and are faced now and are faced in every generation by the people of God

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 as they seek to live faithful lives and commend Christ to the particular time of day

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 that they themselves, the time of history that they themselves actually live in.

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 And what it did for them here as they were facing such things,

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 it actually fed into their prayers.

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 And one of the things this passage tells us is that they drew from the Old Testament scriptures

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 words which were very relevant, they found relevant,

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 to that aid to these circumstances in which they found themselves here.

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 Example, Psalm 2 here is quoted there in verses 25 and 26.

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 Well, they went back to Psalm 2 and found in Psalm 2 a very apt description,

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 a very relevant portion of God's word to apply to their own generation.

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 And that, by the way, is a reminder to us that we don't have two testaments,

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 as you were, in our Bibles that are cut off from each other.

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 The one flows into the other as God revealed himself down through the ages

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 as the one God to his one covenant people.

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 There's no church in the Old Testament then cut off,

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 and there's a new church in the New Testament.

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 It is God's church, God's redeemed people, God's covenant people,

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 all the way through history.

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 But, of course, changes are effected by the likes of the coming of Christ himself

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 and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost

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 to have the church now in the age of the Spirit,

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 the age of fulfillment of all things following the death and resurrection of Christ himself.

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 And Psalm 2 is relevant because it speaks about the antagonism against the Lord's people

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 by the powers of the world, the political powers, even the religious powers of the world.

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 And God's response to that is also set out in Psalm 2 and quoted here in these two verses.

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 Now, verse 18, you first of all find orders given against gospel teaching.

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 How relevant is that?

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 Orders given against gospel teaching.

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 As you see there in verse 18,

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 the rulers called the people and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

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 And that charge or that order against gospel teaching is really acting against the evidence.

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 You know, one of the things that's really frustrating but understandable in the light of Scripture

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 is that when you present the gospel, when you witness to the gospel,

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 when you actually speak to people about their soul and about the Lord and about all that the gospel is,

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 you'll find that so often they actually go against what evidence is provided by God,

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 sometimes very clear evidence of his work.

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 For example, verse 16 here,

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 verse 16 speaks about the miracle done to the man who had been healed.

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 So when they came in verse 14,

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 seeing the man who was healed standing beside them,

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 they had nothing to say in opposition,

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 but then commanded them to leave the council they conferred,

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 and they asked each other then,

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 this is still the authorities,

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 what shall we do with these men?

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 For that a notable sign has been performed through them

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 is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

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 and we cannot deny it.

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 And then, of course,

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 instead of saying,

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 well, let's consider this more,

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 let's give this more of our attention,

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 let's really just take this as possibly

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 something that we might have to reckon with

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 as true and important.

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 Instead of that,

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 in order that it spread no further among the people,

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 let us warn them not to speak any more in this name.

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 And that's the frustrating thing you find still,

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 even today.

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 And why Psalm 2,

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 the likes of Psalm 2,

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 is so important.

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 Because Psalm 2 began,

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 as you well know by these words,

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 why do the people rage against God?

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 Why such a thing

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 in the experience of God's people?

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 And as you look at Psalm 2

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 and the way it proceeds,

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 why do the nations rage?

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 And the people's plot in vain,

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 the kings of the earth set themselves,

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 and the rulers take counsel together.

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 And then the Psalm actually answers the question

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 that's posed there by saying,

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 let us burst their bonds apart

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 and cast away their cords from us.

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 In other words,

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 they're combining forces against the Lord,

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 but it's against especially

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 the way in which the Lord has specific commands

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 and precepts and rules

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 and, in fact,

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 his whole entire word.

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 And that,

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 why is this right through history?

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 Why do the nations rage?

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 Why do the people plot in vain?

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 Why is there such antagonism today to the gospel?

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 Why is there such opposition

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 to the church preaching the gospel?

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 Why is there some opposition

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 even in parts of the wider church

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 to the gospel truly being preached

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 rather than what we heard already

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 in prayer as a social message

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 that really at the end of the day

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 doesn't save anybody?

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 Well, it's because they're plotting

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 against the Lord

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 and against his anointed.

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 And if you go then

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 to the passage in Acts we're looking at,

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 why do the Gentiles rage

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 and the people rage in vain,

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 plot in vain?

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 The rulers were gathered together

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 against the Lord

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 and against his anointed.

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 And the word anointed there

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 is literally the word Christ.

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 That's what Christ means.

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 To plot against the Lord

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 and against his Christ.

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 And that really is why

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 today there's such an opposition

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 still against the gospel.

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 And it always will be that way

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 as long as human beings

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 stand in opposition to God.

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 Because this is a gospel

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 that calls them to repent.

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 A gospel that calls them

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 to turn from their way

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 and seek the Lord.

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 A gospel that calls upon people

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 to leave the way of sin

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 and turn into the ways of righteousness.

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 And to look to the commands of God

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 and to the promises of God

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 and to the whole word of God.

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 And of course that's something

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 that we don't naturally like.

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 And so we turn against it

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 and find so, so many different ways

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 in which that opposition

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 and antagonism to the gospel

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 is fed into our society

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 from different streams of thought.

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 And it's all to do with this

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 plot against the Lord

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 and against his anointed.

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 Whether it's in terms of

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 what happens in our schools,

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 in our education system,

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 in our universities and colleges,

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 any place in our society

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 that has any semblance

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 of truth presented to it,

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 you will always find this reaction

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 on the part of sadly too many people.

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 And of course,

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 it says there in verse 25,

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 why did the Gentiles rage

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 on the people's plot

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 in vain?

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 Futility.

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 And yet,

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 it's something that people

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 continue doing.

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 And that again takes up,

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 as it's taken up from Psalm number 2,

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 reminds us of what God does

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 in the face of all that.

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 He that sits in heaven

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 shall laugh.

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 The Lord shall have them

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 in derision.

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 And of course,

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 that doesn't mean

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 that the Lord is just

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 treating this lightly,

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 that he's just having

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 a laugh at them,

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 that he just finds

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 the whole thing very amusing.

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 When it says there,

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 the Lord laughs at all this,

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 what it means is that

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 he views all of these attempts

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 as absolutely futile

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 because his plan

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 and his purpose

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 is not going to be diverted.

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 I mentioned this

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 on the Lord's day.

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 His plan is not

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 in any way affected

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 by the opposition

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 of the world,

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 even of the highest authorities

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 in any particular generation.

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 And his own plan,

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 as you can see there

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 from verse 28,

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 it's interesting

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 that it says there,

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 when they prayed

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 to the Lord,

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 what they mentioned

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 in prayer was

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 that Herod

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 and Pontius Pilate

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 along with the Gentiles

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 and the people of Israel

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 lauded together

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 and gathered

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 to do whatever

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 your hand

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 and your plan

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 had predestined

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 to take place.

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 You see,

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 they're finding

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 a measure of comfort

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 in all of this.

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 They began the prayer

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 as sovereign Lord.

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 They prayed to him

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 as the sovereign Lord

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 in verse 24.

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 And because they prayed

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 to him

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 as the one they knew

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 as the sovereign Lord,

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 instead of actually

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 coming now

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 to say

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 Herod and Pontius Pilate

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 together with the Gentiles

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 and the people of Israel

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 were gathered

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 to do what they

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 themselves purposed

00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:17.519
 against the Lord

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 and against your anointed,

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 that was the case

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 but it's actually

00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:22.100
 God's plan

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 they're carrying out.

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 to do whatever

00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:25.720
 your hand

00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:27.100
 and your plan

00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.960
 had predestined

00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.820
 to take place.

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 And sometimes

00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:34.200
 that's where

00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:34.879
 we've got to find

00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:35.659
 our refuge.

00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:37.180
 Find our refuge

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 there all the time.

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 But there are

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 many times

00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:41.299
 when we can't

00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:41.899
 ourselves

00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:43.299
 get beyond

00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:44.560
 a certain stage

00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:45.500
 in our thinking

00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:47.019
 and our conclusions

00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:47.879
 and coming to

00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.779
 a conclusion

00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.279
 as to why

00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:49.740
 things are

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 as they are

00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.139
 and how we

00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:51.800
 go about

00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:52.899
 dealing with it.

00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.500
 And so we leave

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 it with the Lord

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 and say

00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.279
 Sovereign Lord

00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.660
 it's your plan.

00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.540
 You're carrying

00:10:58.540 --> 00:10:59.560
 out your purpose.

00:11:00.040 --> 00:11:00.779
 We can't understand

00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:02.540
 how all of these

00:11:02.540 --> 00:11:03.720
 oppositions

00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:04.779
 to your gospel

00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:06.160
 fit into your plan

00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:06.680
 but we know

00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:07.279
 it's your plan.

00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:08.080
 We would want

00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:09.200
 to see them changed

00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:10.080
 but they still

00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.000
 go on unchanged.

00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:11.580
 So Lord

00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:12.620
 give us

00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:12.980
 we pray

00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:14.259
 to find ourselves

00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:15.980
 taking refuge

00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:17.200
 within your sovereignty.

00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:18.540
 You know

00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:18.900
 when I

00:11:18.900 --> 00:11:20.040
 started

00:11:20.040 --> 00:11:20.440
 what seems

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 many years

00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:21.500
 ago now

00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:23.120
 in the ministry

00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.680
 the ministry

00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:27.440
 we hadn't back

00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.180
 the late

00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:29.180
 Murdo McCauley

00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.480
 he was still

00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:31.140
 then in active

00:11:31.140 --> 00:11:31.500
 ministry

00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.060
 not in a

00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:32.400
 congregation

00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:32.960
 but he was

00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.540
 still preaching

00:11:33.540 --> 00:11:35.500
 and I was

00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:35.960
 speaking to him

00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:36.379
 one day

00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.700
 and he said

00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.180
 I'm just going

00:11:38.180 --> 00:11:38.640
 to say this

00:11:38.640 --> 00:11:39.020
 to you

00:11:39.020 --> 00:11:40.540
 he said

00:11:40.540 --> 00:11:40.940
 I could say

00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.460
 much to you

00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:42.040
 by way of

00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:42.720
 advice

00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.379
 from a long

00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.240
 time in ministry

00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.879
 but one thing

00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.840
 you will always

00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.299
 find

00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.299
 is that

00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:48.980
 you have to

00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:49.919
 fall back

00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:50.919
 on the sovereignty

00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:51.779
 of God.

00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:54.019
 You have to

00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:54.620
 fall back

00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.820
 on the sovereignty

00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.519
 of God.

00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:57.500
 You meet with

00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.299
 things you didn't

00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:58.659
 plan

00:11:58.659 --> 00:11:59.299
 you wouldn't

00:11:59.299 --> 00:11:59.820
 want to have

00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.220
 planned.

00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:00.980
 You meet with

00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:01.580
 surprises

00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.220
 you meet with

00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:02.659
 changes

00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.560
 you meet with

00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:04.000
 challenges

00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.639
 you meet with

00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.180
 difficulties

00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:05.680
 you meet with

00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:06.560
 disappointments

00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:07.320
 you meet with

00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.060
 all sorts of

00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:08.500
 things that

00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.139
 challenged your

00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:09.600
 soul and

00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.139
 challenged your

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.899
 faith and

00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:11.659
 sometimes even

00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.419
 shake you up

00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.779
 but you can

00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.339
 always fall

00:12:14.339 --> 00:12:15.439
 back on the

00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:16.779
 sovereignty of

00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.199
 God.

00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:18.480
 And that's not

00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.100
 you know when

00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:19.600
 you fall back

00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.159
 on the sovereignty

00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:21.379
 of God it's

00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.120
 not just ducking

00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.600
 out of the

00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:22.939
 issue.

00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.480
 It's not that

00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:24.779
 you're just

00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.659
 refusing to

00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.500
 think things

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:26.959
 through.

00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.179
 What he meant

00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:28.740
 by that was

00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.339
 you've thought

00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:29.959
 things through

00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:30.720
 you've prayed

00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.459
 over things

00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:32.539
 you still believe

00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.079
 in God

00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:33.720
 you pray for

00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.879
 his blessing

00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:37.740
 but you reach

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.519
 the point where

00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:39.039
 you've done

00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.539
 that and still

00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.399
 you have all

00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:42.000
 of this to

00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.480
 face.

00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.759
 fall back

00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.159
 on his

00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.019
 sovereignty

00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.560
 and of

00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:45.840
 course in

00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:46.340
 our personal

00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.700
 lives that

00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:48.920
 really is so

00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:49.639
 important isn't

00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.379
 it?

00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:51.740
 And that really

00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.539
 is what happened

00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:54.019
 at the cross

00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:54.779
 itself.

00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.940
 There is the

00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.899
 world's view of

00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.060
 the cross come

00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.759
 down from the

00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.379
 cross and we

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.379
 will believe.

00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.620
 Do it the way

00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.659
 that we prefer

00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:05.519
 the way we

00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.539
 think best.

00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.899
 Do it in

00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.539
 accordance with

00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.539
 our ideology.

00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:10.879
 let our

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.179
 ideology actually

00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:13.139
 shape what

00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:13.679
 the cross

00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:14.639
 is, what

00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.459
 Jesus Christ

00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:16.500
 is, who

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.500
 he is, what

00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:17.899
 he's in the

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.019
 world for, what

00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.019
 salvation is, what

00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.699
 the Bible is

00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.059
 about.

00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.059
 Do it this

00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:22.679
 way and we

00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.360
 will believe.

00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.299
 Well that's

00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:24.919
 really the world

00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.919
 of today and

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.319
 what the world

00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:26.939
 is saying by

00:13:26.939 --> 00:13:27.699
 that is well

00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:28.379
 we believe in

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.059
 our own way

00:13:29.059 --> 00:13:30.079
 anyway and

00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:30.459
 we're not going

00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:30.759
 to believe

00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.740
 anything else.

00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:35.019
 Now sovereign

00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:35.960
 Lord he says

00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.600
 they say

00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.039
 sovereign Lord

00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.159
 who made the

00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:39.519
 heaven and

00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:39.980
 the earth

00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.360
 and who

00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:41.720
 through the

00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.259
 mouth of our

00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.879
 father David

00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.200
 said by the

00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.039
 Holy Spirit

00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:47.019
 now Lord look

00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.940
 upon their

00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.600
 threats and

00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.220
 grant to your

00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.799
 servants to

00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:51.460
 continue to

00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:51.940
 speak your

00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:53.039
 word with

00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:53.779
 all boldness.

00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.080
 So the

00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.159
 orders against

00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.200
 gospel teaching

00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:58.519
 are very

00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.399
 applicable to

00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.019
 the situation

00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:00.600
 you and I

00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.039
 face.

00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.539
 It doesn't

00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:02.980
 matter where

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.279
 you look

00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.180
 around in

00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.320
 society you'll

00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:05.919
 find people

00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.460
 in power,

00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:06.980
 people of

00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.600
 influence,

00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:08.700
 people who

00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.039
 are very

00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.440
 persuasive in

00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.620
 actually getting

00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.639
 others to join

00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.539
 their bandwagon

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.620
 whatever it is

00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.659
 and against the

00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:18.620
 gospel you'll

00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.299
 find so many

00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:20.419
 joining these

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.620
 campaigns whether

00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.200
 it's in

00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:24.519
 education,

00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.580
 medical issues,

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.820
 very many other

00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.740
 aspects of our

00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.840
 society's life.

00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.980
 people of

00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.000
 God.

00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.220
 But you come

00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.299
 back to the

00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:35.840
 way that it's

00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.379
 all fitting

00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.039
 together in

00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:39.460
 God's plan and

00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.639
 you wait upon

00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:42.259
 the Lord to

00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:42.919
 answer your

00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.700
 prayers in due

00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:44.139
 time.

00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.360
 And that's

00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:46.779
 where you come

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.860
 to the prayers

00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:50.320
 that they then

00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:50.759
 prayed.

00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.320
 And one thing

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.940
 that struck me

00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:53.299
 during the

00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:53.860
 prayers here

00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.659
 actually was how

00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.360
 obviously this

00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:56.940
 passage had

00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.539
 registered with

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.000
 too many who

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.539
 were praying

00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.719
 because they

00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:00.379
 both mentioned

00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.019
 at least once

00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:01.659
 if not more

00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.799
 the whole

00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.679
 emphasis here

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:05.099
 on boldness.

00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:07.419
 The boldness

00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.699
 of these people

00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.559
 we began reading

00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.419
 at verse 13.

00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:11.860
 When they saw

00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.439
 the boldness of

00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:14.299
 Peter and John

00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.219
 and perceived

00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:15.699
 that they were

00:15:15.699 --> 00:15:16.659
 uneducated common

00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.759
 men they were

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.439
 astonished.

00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.299
 And where we

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.120
 finished in

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.959
 verse 31 the

00:15:21.959 --> 00:15:22.659
 place was shaken

00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.159
 they were all

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:23.740
 filled with the

00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.439
 Holy Spirit and

00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:25.899
 continued to speak

00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.779
 the word of God

00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.579
 with boldness.

00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.439
 What is it to

00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.159
 speak the word

00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:29.740
 of God with

00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.519
 boldness?

00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:31.299
 What is this

00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:32.100
 boldness that

00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.699
 they were praying

00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:33.459
 for more of?

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.240
 What is this

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.159
 boldness that you

00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.699
 and I have the

00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.659
 privilege of

00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.220
 knowing for

00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:38.480
 ourselves and

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:41.839
 of exercising

00:15:41.839 --> 00:15:42.720
 ourselves?

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.620
 Well it's not

00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.379
 the boldness of

00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:44.839
 the world.

00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:45.740
 It's not the

00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.379
 boldness of

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.240
 aggressiveness.

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:47.779
 It's not the

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.419
 boldness of

00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.539
 speech you find

00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.379
 in people shouting

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.399
 down the arguments

00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.039
 of others.

00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:53.360
 It's not boldness

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.480
 of self-confidence

00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.299
 in our own

00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:55.779
 ability.

00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.720
 It's not the

00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.439
 boldness of

00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.399
 human intellect.

00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.220
 It's not the

00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.139
 boldness of

00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.759
 anything other

00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.539
 than confidence

00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.539
 in God.

00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.000
 That's what it's

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.679
 meant by

00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.539
 boldness.

00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:06.399
 It's the

00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:07.299
 boldness that

00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:07.860
 comes through

00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.439
 faith through

00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.559
 trust in God.

00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:11.299
 Boldness that

00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.519
 his word is

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.279
 truth.

00:16:14.339 --> 00:16:15.059
 Boldness that

00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:15.939
 he is always

00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.639
 sovereign and

00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.079
 right.

00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.519
 Boldness that

00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.659
 the gospel will

00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.539
 not return to

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.019
 him void.

00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.319
 It will

00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:22.299
 accomplish the

00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.039
 purposes of

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.559
 God.

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.360
 Some will be

00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.100
 hardened under

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.259
 it.

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.600
 Some will

00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.100
 be melted.

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.519
 Some will

00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.139
 be saved.

00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:27.679
 Some will

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.139
 be lost.

00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.100
 But God

00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:29.720
 will not be

00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.240
 mocked and

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.919
 God will not

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.000
 be diverted

00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.460
 from his

00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.080
 purpose.

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.460
 And you see

00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.059
 they lifted up

00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:38.580
 their voices

00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.019
 together.

00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.939
 They lifted up

00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:42.340
 there in verse

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.960
 24.

00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.139
 When they

00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:44.639
 heard it,

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.159
 they lifted up

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.700
 their voices

00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.600
 together to

00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.220
 God and

00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.600
 said,

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.679
 Sovereign

00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.120
 Lord.

00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:51.519
 I didn't

00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:52.519
 find any of

00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.000
 those people

00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.340
 saying,

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:53.600
 well,

00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.299
 we need

00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.679
 to pray

00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.139
 to God,

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:55.840
 but you

00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.360
 guys are

00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:56.980
 in charge

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:57.720
 of the

00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.659
 meeting.

00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.100
 You're the

00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.539
 ones who are

00:16:59.539 --> 00:16:59.919
 doing the

00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.139
 prayer.

00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.600
 We'll just

00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:00.980
 follow.

00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.100
 They all

00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.580
 lifted up

00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.100
 their voices

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.240
 together to

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.779
 God and

00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.400
 said they

00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.640
 were united

00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.579
 in praying to

00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:08.940
 God and

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.500
 calling upon

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:09.839
 the Lord.

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.700
 They all

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.519
 joined in the

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:11.900
 prayers.

00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.339
 They all

00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:12.960
 joined in,

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:13.859
 whether spoken

00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.400
 or otherwise,

00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:14.920
 but they were

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.559
 all part of

00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.160
 that movement

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.779
 of prayer.

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:16.980
 prayer.

00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.139
 That's why

00:17:19.139 --> 00:17:19.539
 we're here

00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.079
 tonight.

00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.639
 We had two

00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:23.139
 men engaged

00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.799
 in prayer

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:25.000
 audibly,

00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.039
 but you were

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.759
 all praying,

00:17:28.399 --> 00:17:28.879
 weren't you?

00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.359
 We're all part

00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.339
 of praying

00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.059
 to God.

00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.539
 And the more

00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.119
 the Lord

00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.759
 actually impresses

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.299
 on us the

00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.519
 need for boldness

00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.500
 as it is in

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.180
 our particular

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.319
 day to answer

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:41.519
 the taunts

00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.180
 and the aggression

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:43.000
 of the world,

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.160
 that's where we

00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.920
 come together

00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.700
 to pray.

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.480
 one of the

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.880
 great things

00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.559
 about having

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.500
 this meeting

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.160
 in the middle

00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:49.600
 of the week

00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.000
 is that we

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.819
 come together

00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.779
 to pray,

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.580
 and being

00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.279
 together to

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.400
 pray is an

00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.180
 inestimable

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.960
 privilege.

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.220
 You can do

00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.840
 a lot of

00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.420
 praying on

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:01.960
 your own,

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.539
 and you have

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:03.819
 to do,

00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.259
 and I have

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.740
 to do a lot

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.160
 of praying

00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:06.160
 on our own

00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.700
 if we're really

00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.039
 in that

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.920
 relationship with

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.880
 God that

00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.580
 seeks as

00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.200
 blessing as

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.819
 we trust we

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.160
 do.

00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.059
 But there's

00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.360
 something

00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:13.960
 particularly

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.720
 special,

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.920
 and something

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.559
 particularly

00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.460
 noteworthy

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.839
 about being

00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.319
 as they

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.779
 were here

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.480
 lifting up

00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.079
 their voices

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.440
 together to

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:22.940
 God.

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.480
 All of us

00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.839
 gathered together

00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.539
 and joined

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.519
 in mentally

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.680
 and spiritually

00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.940
 with what is

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.880
 ascending to

00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.660
 God by way

00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.120
 of worship

00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.120
 and appeal

00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:33.880
 in prayer.

00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.080
 prayer.

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:38.920
 Sometimes

00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.640
 perhaps we

00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:41.220
 are over

00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.020
 critical of

00:18:42.020 --> 00:18:43.180
 churches or

00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.920
 congregations

00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:44.540
 that are full

00:18:44.540 --> 00:18:45.180
 of amens

00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.700
 during the

00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.040
 time that

00:18:46.040 --> 00:18:46.680
 people pray.

00:18:47.780 --> 00:18:48.240
 Certainly

00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.840
 that can be

00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.380
 overdone,

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:49.780
 there's no

00:18:49.780 --> 00:18:50.140
 doubt.

00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.360
 But nevertheless,

00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:52.940
 reasonably done,

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.500
 it's a good

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:53.980
 indicator,

00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.360
 isn't it,

00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:54.940
 that people

00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.920
 are actually

00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.680
 following what's

00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.380
 being spoken

00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.300
 in prayer by

00:18:59.300 --> 00:18:59.740
 those who are

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.620
 praying publicly,

00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.719
 and their

00:19:01.719 --> 00:19:02.219
 hearts are

00:19:02.219 --> 00:19:02.979
 engaged in it

00:19:02.979 --> 00:19:03.239
 and their

00:19:03.239 --> 00:19:03.759
 minds are

00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.559
 engaged in it

00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.239
 and they're

00:19:05.239 --> 00:19:06.119
 actually being

00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.859
 together,

00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.859
 joined together

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.739
 in that

00:19:08.739 --> 00:19:09.619
 concert of

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:09.919
 prayer,

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.659
 in that

00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.139
 corporate

00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.739
 prayer,

00:19:12.239 --> 00:19:13.099
 following those

00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.000
 who may be

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.099
 individually engaged

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.859
 in it publicly.

00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.399
 In any case,

00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:17.859
 that's what they

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.419
 were doing here.

00:19:18.739 --> 00:19:19.479
 They lifted up

00:19:19.479 --> 00:19:19.959
 their voices

00:19:19.959 --> 00:19:21.319
 together to

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.339
 God and

00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:22.859
 said,

00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.500
 Sovereign

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:25.899
 Lord,

00:19:26.459 --> 00:19:28.339
 we pray

00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.279
 to you.

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.000
 that is

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.819
 where we

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.459
 have our

00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:35.479
 comfort and

00:19:35.479 --> 00:19:36.139
 our boldness

00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.579
 from,

00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:38.599
 from being

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.099
 together and

00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.699
 being together

00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:41.399
 and lifting up

00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:41.959
 our voices

00:19:41.959 --> 00:19:43.479
 to God.

00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:45.000
 I think the

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.439
 days in which

00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:46.839
 we live

00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.779
 certainly call

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.839
 for gathered

00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.239
 prayer,

00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:51.339
 for concerted

00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.719
 prayer,

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.759
 for congregational

00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.219
 prayer,

00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.619
 for gatherings

00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.739
 for prayer,

00:19:57.459 --> 00:19:59.059
 and in

00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.819
 facing that

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.279
 world in

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.660
 all its

00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.359
 antagonism

00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:01.779
 to the

00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.180
 gospel.

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.440
 One of the

00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.099
 great privileges

00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.259
 and antidotes

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.980
 that we have

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.559
 to that,

00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.359
 one of the

00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.379
 counteractions

00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.139
 to the

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.740
 actions of

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.200
 a hostile

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.819
 world,

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.759
 is to be

00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:13.099
 concerted in

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.019
 prayer together

00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:16.839
 and to value

00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.420
 the time

00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.960
 when we can

00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.619
 be together

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.220
 to pray to

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.619
 God.

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:22.720
 So,

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.200
 Sovereign

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.559
 Lord,

00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.940
 they saw

00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.339
 that as

00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:25.879
 significant

00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.599
 against the

00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.240
 background of

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:29.359
 Psalm 2.

00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.480
 Grant

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.640
 that you,

00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.440
 your people,

00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.000
 grant to

00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.200
 us,

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.500
 Lord,

00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.640
 to speak

00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.279
 your word

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.940
 with all

00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.140
 boldness.

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.180
 Now,

00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.559
 it might have

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.599
 been some

00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.059
 people that

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.599
 would advise

00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.180
 you against

00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.640
 that.

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.759
 Here they were

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.240
 facing

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.240
 imprisonment,

00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.039
 intimidation,

00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.620
 and threat,

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.359
 and persecution,

00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.480
 and yet what

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:48.859
 do they want

00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.059
 to do?

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:49.460
 They want to

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.259
 speak more

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.880
 with more

00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.759
 boldness.

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:55.000
 Some might

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.839
 have advised

00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.039
 them,

00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.440
 let's just

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:56.900
 keep things

00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.539
 quiet for a

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.779
 while.

00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:58.960
 Let's not

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.200
 just be as

00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.059
 forthright in

00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.839
 presenting these

00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.519
 claims of

00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:03.839
 Christ.

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.059
 No,

00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.460
 that's not

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:04.740
 what they

00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:04.900
 went.

00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:05.480
 They went

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:05.779
 the other

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.559
 way altogether.

00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.839
 Now,

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:09.359
 they said,

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.740
 let's grant

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.140
 to your

00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.500
 servants,

00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:11.960
 Lord,

00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:12.940
 look upon

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.539
 their threats

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.180
 and grant

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:14.539
 to your

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.140
 servants to

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.299
 continue to

00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.779
 speak your

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.500
 word with

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.259
 all boldness

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.119
 while you

00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.759
 stretch out

00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.339
 your hand

00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.240
 to heal

00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.779
 and signs

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.279
 and wonders

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.059
 are performed.

00:21:24.459 --> 00:21:25.159
 It wasn't

00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.599
 a time

00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.079
 to be

00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.639
 quiet.

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.519
 And isn't

00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.059
 it interesting

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.459
 as well

00:21:30.459 --> 00:21:31.220
 and significant

00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:33.599
 that despite

00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.359
 having been

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.240
 so abused

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.039
 and so badly

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.500
 treated,

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.740
 they didn't

00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.359
 pray to the

00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:38.939
 Lord for

00:21:38.939 --> 00:21:39.399
 vengeance.

00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:40.720
 They didn't

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.220
 pray to the

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.599
 Lord that

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.059
 God would

00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.480
 come and

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.039
 punish these

00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.459
 people who

00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:43.759
 had done

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.279
 such things

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.799
 to them.

00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.500
 No,

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:46.859
 they prayed

00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.480
 for healings

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.859
 for them.

00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:50.439
 they prayed

00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:50.799
 for their

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.439
 well-being.

00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.059
 They prayed

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.479
 that God

00:21:54.479 --> 00:21:54.819
 would be

00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.519
 merciful to

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:55.759
 them,

00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:57.619
 that God

00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.139
 would turn

00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:58.659
 them into

00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:59.939
 his way.

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.659
 And that,

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.000
 of course,

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.559
 is for our

00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.279
 context as

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.539
 well,

00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:04.719
 as we

00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.179
 follow the

00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.759
 example and

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.339
 the pattern

00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.339
 that our

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.019
 Lord himself

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.559
 said.

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.240
 Colossians,

00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:11.559
 remember

00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.159
 Colossians

00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:12.879
 chapter 4

00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.539
 gives us

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:15.220
 that spirit

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.180
 of prayer

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.099
 and of not

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.480
 just of

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.920
 prayer but

00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.399
 also of

00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.019
 speaking to

00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.500
 people and

00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.700
 witnessing to

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.220
 people for

00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.759
 the gospel.

00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.639
 Colossians

00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.339
 chapter 4

00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.879
 verses 5

00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.420
 to 6,

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.159
 conduct

00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:28.799
 yourselves

00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.559
 wisely

00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.759
 towards

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.559
 outsiders,

00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.359
 making the

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:32.940
 best use

00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.220
 of the

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.559
 time.

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.680
 Let your

00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.119
 speech

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.980
 always be

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.399
 gracious,

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.599
 seasoned

00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.319
 with salt,

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.379
 so that you

00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:39.759
 may know

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.119
 how you

00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.579
 ought to

00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.019
 answer

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.859
 each

00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.599
 person.

00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.459
 That's

00:22:43.459 --> 00:22:43.859
 really just

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.399
 following the

00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.359
 example of

00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:45.659
 the Lord

00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.039
 himself,

00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:46.519
 1 Peter

00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.319
 chapter 2,

00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.699
 which tells

00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:49.039
 us that

00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.299
 when he

00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.000
 was reviled,

00:22:50.219 --> 00:22:50.639
 he did

00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.359
 not respond

00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.219
 by reviling

00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:52.879
 again in

00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.399
 return,

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.339
 but he

00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.759
 committed

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.439
 himself to

00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.459
 him who

00:22:56.459 --> 00:22:56.819
 judges

00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.500
 righteously,

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.079
 to him

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.299
 who was

00:22:59.299 --> 00:22:59.839
 the father,

00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.419
 his father

00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:00.839
 had sent

00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.199
 him into

00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:01.679
 the world.

00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:03.119
 And so

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.539
 here is

00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.699
 the spirit

00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:06.919
 of speech

00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.480
 as well as

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.039
 of prayer,

00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.179
 as you

00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.539
 find it

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.459
 brought out

00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:10.859
 for us

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.759
 there in

00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.259
 the pattern

00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.779
 that Jesus

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.940
 himself

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.660
 said.

00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.400
 And there's

00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:16.720
 God's

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.099
 answer in

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:18.799
 verse 31

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.319
 and what an

00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.819
 answer it

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.259
 was.

00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.019
 When they

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.579
 had prayed,

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.299
 the place

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.779
 in which they

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.259
 were gathered

00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.720
 together was

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.220
 shaken,

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.720
 and they

00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.079
 were all

00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.640
 filled with

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:31.960
 the Holy

00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.400
 Spirit and

00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.099
 continued to

00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.539
 speak the

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:34.980
 word of

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.460
 God with

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.119
 boldness.

00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.059
 That was

00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.799
 God saying,

00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.700
 I've heard

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:38.980
 you,

00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.299
 and this is

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.019
 my answer.

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.220
 They were

00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.400
 asking God

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.980
 to enable

00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.339
 them to

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.039
 continue to

00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.519
 speak with

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:45.980
 boldness.

00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.759
 That's what

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.259
 he enabled

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.660
 them to

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:47.819
 do,

00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.140
 but he

00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:48.460
 gave a

00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:48.879
 sign of

00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.640
 it by

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.140
 the place

00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.160
 that they

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.660
 were gathered

00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.119
 in was

00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.339
 actually shaken

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.920
 and they

00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.299
 were all

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.079
 filled with

00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.480
 the Holy

00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.859
 Spirit.

00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.460
 That has

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.859
 happened,

00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.720
 of course,

00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.119
 at other

00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.920
 times in

00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.279
 the history

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.599
 of the

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.140
 church as

00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.420
 well,

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.379
 even within

00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.180
 our own

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.019
 island here.

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:07.519
 I've

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.019
 never been

00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.519
 in a

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:09.980
 situation

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.759
 where that's

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.279
 actually

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.819
 happened,

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.339
 but I

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.839
 did meet

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.240
 some in

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.559
 the course

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.379
 of my

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.019
 life thus

00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.839
 far who

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.160
 were in

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.639
 that kind

00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.480
 of situation,

00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.319
 who were

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.559
 in a

00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:20.940
 building,

00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:21.920
 usually

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.519
 somebody's

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.879
 home,

00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.420
 and where

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.740
 the Holy

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.259
 Spirit's

00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.180
 power and

00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:27.299
 presence was

00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.200
 so evident

00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.839
 there that

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:30.000
 people felt

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.460
 the place

00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.079
 itself

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.940
 vibrating,

00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:32.960
 trembling,

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:35.100
 God was

00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.519
 there.

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.519
 God was

00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.259
 manifesting

00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.160
 himself there.

00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.120
 I wonder

00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.440
 what we

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.279
 say tonight,

00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.660
 if it had

00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.600
 happened here,

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:48.240
 what would

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.860
 we then say

00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.340
 when we went

00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:49.940
 out into the

00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.220
 world?

00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:51.900
 Well, it

00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.200
 might be

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.319
 something you'd

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.740
 find very

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.420
 difficult to

00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.000
 describe,

00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.600
 I'm sure,

00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.940
 but the

00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.940
 reality of

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.799
 that would

00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.299
 be evident

00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.200
 through your

00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.720
 life and

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.039
 through your

00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.180
 witness much

00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.660
 more than

00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.200
 if it had

00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.800
 never happened

00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:04.180
 at all,

00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.660
 because what

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.360
 it says is

00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.100
 the place

00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.440
 they were

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.860
 in was

00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:07.300
 filled with

00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:07.600
 the Holy

00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:07.960
 Spirit,

00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:10.540
 where they

00:25:10.540 --> 00:25:11.000
 were gathered,

00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.880
 it was shaken,

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.460
 they were

00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.860
 filled with

00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.160
 the Holy

00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.460
 Spirit,

00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.740
 and continued

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.279
 to speak

00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.720
 the word

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.160
 of God

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.080
 with boldness.

00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.560
 It came

00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:19.120
 through in

00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.759
 their speech

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.060
 following this

00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:21.519
 incident,

00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:23.160
 as they went

00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.700
 out with the

00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.340
 gospel to the

00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:24.640
 world,

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.440
 and their

00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.140
 boldness

00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:29.380
 was spirit-filled

00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.240
 boldness.

00:25:31.020 --> 00:25:31.700
 One of the

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.380
 old commenters

00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:32.800
 from long,

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.280
 long ago,

00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:35.420
 John Chrysostom,

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.020
 who lived

00:25:37.020 --> 00:25:38.120
 from 347

00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.740
 to 407

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.080
 AD,

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.080
 he comments

00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.840
 just on this

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:44.240
 particular passage

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.620
 here,

00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.500
 this verse,

00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:45.900
 that they were

00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.400
 filled with

00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.240
 the Holy

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.560
 Spirit,

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.180
 continued to

00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.600
 speak with

00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.100
 boldness,

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.600
 the shaking,

00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.100
 he said,

00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:51.920
 of this

00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.340
 place,

00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:54.100
 made them

00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.860
 all the more

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.719
 unshaken,

00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:57.579
 the shaking

00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.119
 of this

00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.579
 place,

00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.539
 made them

00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.439
 all the more

00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:01.319
 unshaken,

00:26:01.439 --> 00:26:02.619
 unshaken in

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.240
 their commitment

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.000
 to the gospel,

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:04.939
 commitment to

00:26:04.939 --> 00:26:05.439
 the Lord,

00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:06.219
 in their

00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:07.059
 determination to

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.099
 speak with

00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.199
 all boldness.

00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:10.879
 Nothing

00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.740
 assures us

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:15.519
 as the

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.199
 evidence of

00:26:16.199 --> 00:26:16.619
 God's

00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.279
 presence,

00:26:18.179 --> 00:26:19.159
 and God's

00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.619
 blessing,

00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.919
 assures us

00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:23.279
 that when we

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.859
 go out with

00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.399
 the gospel,

00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.479
 whether it's

00:26:25.479 --> 00:26:27.240
 in preaching

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.939
 ministry or

00:26:27.939 --> 00:26:28.459
 in your own

00:26:28.459 --> 00:26:29.439
 witness to

00:26:29.439 --> 00:26:29.799
 God,

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.359
 the presence

00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:31.879
 of God,

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.899
 the assurance

00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.559
 of God,

00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.559
 the ability

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.339
 to speak

00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.379
 tactfully,

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.299
 and the way

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.899
 we saw in

00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:38.439
 Colossians

00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.679
 there,

00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.459
 but with

00:26:39.459 --> 00:26:40.319
 boldness,

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.099
 because your

00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.959
 boldness comes

00:26:41.959 --> 00:26:43.139
 from knowing

00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.659
 who your

00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.439
 God is,

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.719
 from knowing

00:26:45.719 --> 00:26:46.719
 where your

00:26:46.719 --> 00:26:47.199
 life is

00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:47.659
 anchored,

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.219
 from knowing

00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:48.859
 what the

00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.559
 gospel is,

00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:49.939
 what his

00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:51.000
 promises are,

00:26:51.719 --> 00:26:52.619
 and from

00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.099
 knowing that

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.619
 his word

00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.699
 will never

00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.360
 return to

00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.400
 him void

00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.700
 or empty.

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.980
 Let's pray.

00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.779
 We give

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.200
 thanks to

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.500
 our Lord

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.019
 God that

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.279
 you are

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.720
 almighty,

00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:07.740
 that your

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.400
 power is

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.160
 so great

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.259
 that you

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.799
 could easily

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.759
 shake this

00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.259
 place to

00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.039
 its foundations,

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.539
 whether it

00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.000
 you will to

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.500
 do so.

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.180
 We pray,

00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.680
 Lord, that

00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:17.980
 you would

00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.960
 grant to

00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.539
 us, as we

00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.100
 have thought

00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.600
 upon this

00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.420
 great passage,

00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.680
 as we

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.120
 have thought

00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.560
 upon your

00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:24.100
 people in

00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.800
 these times

00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:26.080
 when they

00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:27.000
 experience such

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.800
 a power and

00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:28.400
 blessing from

00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:28.800
 God.

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.640
 O Lord, help

00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.320
 us, we pray,

00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:33.440
 to be together

00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.060
 in prayer,

00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.279
 even if we're

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.880
 not together,

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.640
 actually gathered

00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.120
 as we are

00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.820
 here tonight.

00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:38.900
 Nevertheless,

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.700
 Lord, give us

00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.259
 to be bound

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.940
 together by

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.560
 your spirit

00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.800
 in common

00:27:42.800 --> 00:27:43.259
 prayer.

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.339
 prayer.

00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.980
 We ask, O

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.539
 Lord, that

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.599
 the blessing

00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.339
 that we seek

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.579
 from this

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.200
 passage for

00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.559
 ourselves would

00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.420
 be evident to

00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.000
 us in days

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.519
 to come.

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.059
 Lord, grant

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.559
 us that

00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.240
 boldness.

00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.279
 Grant us

00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.079
 that confidence

00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.539
 in your

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.980
 word.

00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.079
 Grant us

00:27:59.079 --> 00:27:59.740
 that confidence

00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.640
 in yourself.

00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.180
 Grant us

00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.700
 the speech,

00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.379
 Lord, by

00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.359
 which we

00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:04.839
 would make

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.539
 Christ known

00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.079
 to the world

00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.680
 of our day.

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.000
 Give us

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.480
 confidence

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.259
 against the

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.960
 confidence of

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.420
 the world.

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.720
 Give us the

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.379
 boldness of

00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.980
 your spirit,

00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.460
 O Lord,

00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:14.660
 against the

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.260
 boldness of

00:28:15.260 --> 00:28:16.120
 unbelief and

00:28:16.120 --> 00:28:17.820
 of atheism and

00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.840
 of antagonism to

00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.580
 your great name.

00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.240
 We ask all of

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.880
 these things,

00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.240
 and now as we

00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.380
 confess our sins,

00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:25.680
 seeking pardon

00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.340
 and cleansing

00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:27.040
 for Jesus'

00:28:27.260 --> 00:28:27.480
 sake.

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.300
 Amen.