WEBVTT

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 Please turn with me in your Bibles to Acts chapter 8.

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 We've been going through a series in the book of Acts.

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 We're in chapter 8, verses 1 to 25 this evening.

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 And we pray now for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Heavenly Father, it is so easy, we confess, for us to think hard thoughts of you, small thoughts of you.

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 We pray that this evening that you would address us from your Word, magnify our vision of you,

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 that we might see your glory in all its grandness,

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 and your grace in all its tenderness, compassion.

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 That we might be empowered and emboldened to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in our lives.

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 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Acts chapter 8, verses 1 to 25.

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 And Saul approved of his execution, Stephen's execution.

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 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem.

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 And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

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 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

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 But Saul was ravaging the church.

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 Entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

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 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the Word.

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 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

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 And the crowds, with one accord, paid attention to what was being said by Philip.

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 When they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

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 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them,

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 and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.

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 So there was much joy in that city.

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 But there was a man named Simon,

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 who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria,

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 saying that he himself was somebody great.

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 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying,

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 This man is the power of God that is called great.

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 And they paid attention to him,

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 because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

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 But when they believed Philip,

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 as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,

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 they were baptized, both men and women.

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 Even Simon himself believed,

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 and after being baptized, he continued with Philip.

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 And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

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 Now, when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,

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 they sent to them Peter and John,

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 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

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 For he had not yet fallen on any of them,

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 but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

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 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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 Now, when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands,

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 he offered them money, saying,

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 Give me this power also,

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 so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.

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 But Peter said to him,

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 May your silver perish with you,

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 because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.

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 You have neither part nor lot in this matter,

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 for your heart is not right before God.

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 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours,

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 and pray to the Lord that, if possible,

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 the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

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 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness

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 and in the bond of iniquity.

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 And Simon answered,

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 Pray for me to the Lord,

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 that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.

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 Now, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord,

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 they returned to Jerusalem,

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 preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Every year, Open Door USA publishes the World Watch List,

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 which lists 50 countries

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 where the persecution against Christians is most intense.

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 And according to the 2021 report,

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 more than 340 million Christians today

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 live in places where they experience high,

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 very high, or extremely high levels of persecution.

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 That's one in eight Christians worldwide.

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 340 million.

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 That's up from the 260 million

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 and 245 million persecuted Christians

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 from 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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 For many Christians around the world,

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 even though that might seem so foreign to us,

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 the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ

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 is very high.

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 In milder, subtler ways,

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 Christians in the West

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 also experience sometimes rejection

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 and ridicule for their faith.

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 And we know that powerful men and women,

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 powerful religions, philosophies, and ideologies,

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 and powerful evil spirits

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 oppose the advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 How, then, are we to bear witness to Jesus?

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 This passage teaches us

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 that we are to proclaim the gospel

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 wherever we go by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 And it beckons us to look at our world

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 not with our eyes of sight,

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 but with eyes of faith

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 by telling us about the great persecution

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 and the great power

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 and the great promise

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 that we see in this passage.

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 First, let's look at the great persecution

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 that the early church endured

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 when Stephen, the first martyr of the church,

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 was being stoned to death by his persecutors.

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 We looked at that passage last week.

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 It said in chapter 7, verse 58,

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 that the witnesses laid down their garments

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 at the feet of a young man named Saul.

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 This was our first introduction to Saul,

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 whom we know by his better-known Greek name, Paul.

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 And prior to his conversion,

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 Saul was a notorious persecutor of the church.

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 He says of himself in 1 Timothy 1, verse 3,

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 that formerly he was a blasphemer,

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 persecutor, and insolent opponent of the church.

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 And when Stephen was being stoned to death,

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 Saul provided the coat check service.

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 Watching the garments of the witnesses

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 in Stephen's trial,

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 who by law were required

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 to cast their first stones.

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 Since we know that Saul was educated

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 at the feet of Gamaliel,

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 we know that from Acts 22, verse 3,

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 who was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin,

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 the highest Jewish ruling court,

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 it's possible that Saul is present

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 at the trial as an assistant to the Sanhedrin.

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 But lest you think that Saul

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 was reluctantly complying

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 with orders of his superiors,

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 it tells us in chapter 8, verse 1,

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 that Saul himself approved of his execution.

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 Saul thought that that was well-fitting,

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 well-deserved, just.

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 As we noted last week,

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 even though the Jewish council

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 sanctioned Stephen's execution

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 because the Jews did not have the authority

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 to mete out capital punishment

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 under Roman governance,

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 this was essentially a lynching.

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 And the agitated mob that lynched Stephen

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 is not satisfied.

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 They are sun-soaked and sweaty

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 after exerting themselves

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 and casting heavy stones at Stephen,

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 but the air is still palpable

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 with the heat of anger

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 and hatred

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 toward the church

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 of which Stephen was a member.

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 And it says in verse 1,

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 There arose on that day

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 a great persecution

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 against the church in Jerusalem,

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 and they were all scattered

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 throughout the regions

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 of Judea and Samaria

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 except the apostles.

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 The persecution was so intense

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 that it broke up

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 the church in Jerusalem completely.

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 All the believers

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 had to scatter

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 throughout the regions

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 of Judea and Samaria

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 except the apostles.

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 The apostles,

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 who are the foundation

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 of the church

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 of which Christ is the cornerstone,

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 are the only ones

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 remaining in Jerusalem.

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 If you think of the early church

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 in Jerusalem as a house,

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 it looks as though

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 the entire structure

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 has been raised

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 and all that remains

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 is the foundation.

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 So Saul, it says,

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 was ravaging the church

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 and entering house after house.

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 He dragged off men and women

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 and committed them to prison.

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 With the zeal

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 of a religious fanatic

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 completely convinced

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 of the righteousness

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 of his cause,

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 Saul was ravaging the church

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 and he wasn't content

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 to just go to the temple,

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 Solomon's portico,

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 where Christians

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 were often gathering

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 and speaking and teaching.

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 He wasn't content

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 to just go to those public places

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 to round up the Christians.

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 No, he's interrogating people

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 to find out

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 where these Christians live

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 and he's going from house

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 after house

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 to drag off

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 against their will

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 men and women

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 to put them in prison.

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 That's the great persecution.

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 But against that great persecution,

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 we see a still greater power.

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 It says in verses 4 and 5,

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 Now those who were scattered

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 went about preaching the word

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 and Philip went down

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 to the city of Samaria

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 and proclaimed to them the Christ.

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 This is a remarkable turn of events.

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 The great scattering of the church

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 by persecution

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 led to the great spreading

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 of the gospel

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 by those very believers.

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 Ironically,

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 the attempt to snuff out

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 the gospel

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 actually spread the gospel

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 even further

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 so that it's no longer

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 confined to Jerusalem

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 and Judea,

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 the surrounding towns.

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 It's now,

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 through the ministry

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 of Philip and others,

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 penetrating even

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 the city of Samaria.

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 The persecutors of the church

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 are unwittingly

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 aiding the church.

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 And this is really encouraging

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 Noah and in light of

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 what Lauren shared earlier as well.

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 It's not just the apostles

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 who are proclaiming the gospel.

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 The apostles are all

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 left behind in Jerusalem.

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 All those scattered believers.

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 It names Philip as one of them,

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 but he's not the only one.

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 All of these believers

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 are going about

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 and sharing the gospel.

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 If you have ever gardened

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 or had a lawn,

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 you know that dandelions,

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 which you're seeing

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 all over the place now,

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 are extremely difficult weeds

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 to get rid of.

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 You could spend

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 an entire summer

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 mowing down dandelions

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 or hauling them

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 out of the ground,

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 but even if you work tirelessly

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 to remove every single one,

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 just weeks later,

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 even more yellow

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 dandelion flowers

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 sprout up again

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 in different parts of the lawn.

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 That's because of

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 the extraordinary way

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 in which dandelion seeds spread.

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 The pretty white

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 spherical heads

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 of the dandelions

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 contains approximately

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 150 seeds per flower.

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 And each plant

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 can produce up to

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 10 flowers.

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 So that means

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 each dandelion plant

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 can produce up to

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 15,000 seeds.

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 And each dandelion seed

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 is shaped like a parachute,

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 enabling it to travel

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 over half a mile

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 over a kilometer

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 by wind alone.

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 That's remarkable mileage

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 for a little tiny flower seed.

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 And for this reason,

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 when you're cutting down

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 the dandelions

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 or uprooting them,

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 you can unwittingly spread

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 hundreds of its seeds.

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 It's a losing battle.

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 You might as well

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 start calling them flowers

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 rather than weeds

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 and learn to enjoy

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 seeing them in your lawn.

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 The early church

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 was like these dandelions.

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 In this passage,

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 we see that the believers

00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:17.659
 in Acts

00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:19.399
 were effective carriers

00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.980
 of the seed of the gospel.

00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:23.000
 In verses 45,

00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.360
 those who were scattered

00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:26.039
 went about preaching the word

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:27.419
 wherever they went,

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.559
 including Philip to Samaria.

00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.820
 Verse 25 also says

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.679
 that after visiting

00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:33.620
 the Samaritan believers,

00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.220
 the apostles returned

00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:35.779
 to Jerusalem

00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.600
 preaching the gospel

00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.500
 to many villages

00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.759
 of the Samaritans.

00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.240
 It begins and ends

00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.519
 with people sharing the gospel

00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.519
 wherever they go.

00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:44.559
 In fact,

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.840
 the whole section of Acts

00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.759
 from chapter 8

00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.759
 to chapter 11,

00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:48.319
 verse 19

00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:49.159
 can be described

00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:49.960
 as examples

00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.600
 of believers

00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.379
 sharing the gospel

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.620
 wherever they go.

00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:55.079
 And every Christian,

00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.480
 that means,

00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.319
 is a carrier

00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.299
 of the seed

00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.039
 of the gospel.

00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:01.299
 And we must not

00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:03.379
 lose our germinating potential.

00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.179
 Whether we are scattered

00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.220
 by persecution

00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.340
 or deliberately

00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.480
 moved somewhere

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.659
 to do missions work,

00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.959
 or whether we move

00:14:10.959 --> 00:14:12.059
 somewhere for school

00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:12.899
 or work,

00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.620
 wherever we go,

00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.799
 wherever we are,

00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.079
 we must not forget

00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:18.299
 that we are carriers

00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:18.899
 of the gospel.

00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.039
 That's also an encouragement

00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.699
 for us not to be discouraged

00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:28.139
 when faced with persecution

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.860
 or even seeming failure

00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.759
 in our ministries.

00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:33.439
 Outwardly,

00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.519
 if you were to visit

00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.480
 Jerusalem that day

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.600
 when that great persecution

00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.259
 broke out,

00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:38.819
 it would have looked like

00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.400
 the church was decimated.

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.800
 There was nothing

00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:44.000
 much to see there.

00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:45.620
 I mean,

00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:46.840
 the apostles were left,

00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.800
 but that was about it.

00:14:48.260 --> 00:14:48.980
 It was like a tree

00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.000
 with only its stump.

00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.340
 What happened

00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.160
 to all the believers,

00:14:53.420 --> 00:14:54.220
 all those thousands

00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.320
 that had been converted

00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:55.879
 and baptized

00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.020
 in recent months?

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.320
 The persecution

00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.220
 looked like

00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.480
 a smashing success

00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.120
 if you were to go

00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.860
 and visit Jerusalem

00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.320
 that day.

00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:05.600
 But not visible

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.560
 to the naked eye

00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:08.399
 was the spread

00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:08.899
 of the gospel

00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.639
 that God

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.639
 had sovereignly

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.439
 orchestrated

00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:13.279
 through this persecution.

00:15:15.479 --> 00:15:16.979
 Faithful gospel ministry

00:15:16.979 --> 00:15:18.739
 often invites

00:15:18.739 --> 00:15:19.619
 criticism,

00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:20.719
 opposition,

00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.159
 and even persecution.

00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.199
 Faithful gospel ministry

00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.579
 sometimes experiences

00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:26.419
 setbacks

00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.619
 and disappointments.

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.619
 Faithful gospel ministry

00:15:29.619 --> 00:15:30.579
 will sometimes

00:15:30.579 --> 00:15:31.419
 look like

00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:33.019
 a complete failure.

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:35.240
 But even then,

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:37.019
 we must never despair

00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:38.299
 because we do not see

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.340
 all that the Holy Spirit

00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:39.819
 is doing.

00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.960
 God is sovereignly

00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.419
 at work

00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:44.039
 and we are to do

00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.939
 our part

00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:45.939
 of sowing,

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:47.579
 trusting that

00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:48.699
 the wind of the Spirit

00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:49.600
 will carry forth

00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.879
 the gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.539
 As Philip did this

00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:56.399
 in the city of Samaria,

00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.740
 the response was electric.

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.279
 It says in verses 6 to 8,

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.939
 And the crowds

00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:00.840
 with one accord

00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.899
 paid attention

00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.959
 to what was being said

00:16:02.959 --> 00:16:03.519
 by Philip

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.959
 when they heard him

00:16:04.959 --> 00:16:05.899
 and saw the signs

00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.480
 that he did.

00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.519
 For unclean spirits,

00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.319
 crying out

00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:10.319
 with a loud voice,

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.240
 came out of many

00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.980
 who had them,

00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.559
 and many who were paralyzed

00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:14.100
 or lame

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.639
 were healed.

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:16.059
 So there was much joy

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:16.899
 in that city.

00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:19.259
 These verses highlight

00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.899
 two things

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.720
 that Philip did.

00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:21.959
 It says in verse 6,

00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.199
 When they heard him

00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.799
 and when they saw

00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.279
 the signs he did.

00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.439
 So the Samaritans

00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.500
 with one accord

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.179
 paid attention

00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:30.340
 to what was being said

00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.039
 by Philip.

00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.219
 We know that

00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:32.879
 what he was saying

00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.240
 was proclaiming the Christ.

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.079
 So they heard the good news

00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:36.839
 of Jesus Christ.

00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.919
 And they also saw signs,

00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.860
 miraculous signs

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:41.379
 that confirmed the message,

00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.120
 which included

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.799
 healings

00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.339
 and exorcisms

00:16:44.339 --> 00:16:45.639
 of unclean spirits.

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.039
 And the response

00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:48.980
 of the Samaritans

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.959
 to Philip's message

00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:51.939
 is contrasted

00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.579
 with their former

00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.159
 way of life

00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.240
 in verses 9 to 11.

00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.279
 But there was a man

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.259
 named Simon

00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.399
 who had previously

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.319
 practiced magic

00:16:59.320 --> 00:16:59.800
 in the city

00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:00.400
 and amazed

00:17:00.400 --> 00:17:01.440
 the people of Samaria

00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.960
 saying that he himself

00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.279
 was somebody great.

00:17:05.080 --> 00:17:06.360
 They all paid attention

00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:06.940
 to him

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.920
 from the least

00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.460
 to the greatest

00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.299
 saying this man

00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.240
 is the power of God

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.259
 that is called great.

00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:12.820
 And they paid attention

00:17:12.820 --> 00:17:13.200
 to him

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.200
 because for a long time

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.960
 he had amazed them

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.620
 with his magic.

00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:18.460
 Simon was a famous

00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.660
 magician at that time

00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:21.680
 that many ancient writers

00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.019
 actually write about.

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.700
 And by magician

00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.180
 I don't mean

00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.019
 people,

00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.200
 someone who practices

00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.660
 sleight of hand

00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.500
 and illusions.

00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.660
 I mean someone

00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.259
 who practices

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.180
 sorcery,

00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.519
 witchcraft,

00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.480
 a person associated

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.379
 with the occult

00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:40.539
 and the realm

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.559
 of spirits

00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.220
 and demons.

00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.700
 Simon

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:46.019
 unashamedly

00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.859
 styled himself

00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.639
 to be

00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:48.879
 somebody great.

00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.760
 And he was quite

00:17:50.760 --> 00:17:51.340
 successful

00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.400
 in promoting himself

00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.260
 because people

00:17:53.260 --> 00:17:54.240
 from the least

00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.040
 to the greatest

00:17:55.040 --> 00:17:56.300
 paid attention

00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:56.760
 to him.

00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.340
 The poor

00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:59.160
 as well as the rich,

00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.000
 the educated

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.220
 as well as the uneducated,

00:18:01.540 --> 00:18:02.000
 the weak

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.080
 as well as the strong

00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.740
 and the powerful,

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.220
 they all regarded

00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.240
 him highly

00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.600
 saying that this man

00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:08.480
 is the power

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.240
 of God

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.920
 that is called

00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.740
 great.

00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.640
 This is likely

00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:14.000
 a divine title

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.380
 that Simon

00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.380
 claimed

00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.100
 for himself.

00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:19.819
 Early 2nd century

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.759
 Christian apologist

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.480
 and philosopher

00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.399
 Justin Martyr

00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:23.419
 who was himself

00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.139
 a Samaritan

00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.819
 before coming

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.779
 to faith in Jesus

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.799
 writes in one

00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.480
 of his books

00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.159
 that his fellow

00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:29.240
 Samaritans said

00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.139
 that Simon

00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.619
 the magician

00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.559
 is God

00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:31.980
 quote,

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:33.379
 God above all

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:33.899
 power

00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.919
 and authority

00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.759
 and might.

00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.939
 2nd century

00:18:38.939 --> 00:18:40.139
 pastor Irenaeus

00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.819
 also says

00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.379
 in his book

00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.439
 Against Heresies

00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:42.980
 that Simon

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.399
 the magician

00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:43.839
 quote,

00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.259
 represented himself

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.759
 in a word

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.819
 as being the loftiest

00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.599
 of all powers

00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.579
 that is a being

00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.460
 who is the father

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.299
 over all

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.419
 and he allowed

00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:52.439
 himself to be called

00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.759
 by whatsoever title

00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.579
 men were pleased

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.359
 to address him.

00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.639
 So he was quite

00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:59.059
 a self-absorbed man

00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.439
 who had grandiose

00:19:00.439 --> 00:19:01.759
 claims about himself

00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.599
 but because

00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.980
 of his powers

00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.819
 of sorcery

00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.720
 people actually

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.559
 believed him.

00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:10.519
 but all of this

00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:10.940
 changes

00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:12.539
 when people

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:12.980
 of Samaria

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.720
 are confronted

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.700
 with a truly

00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.740
 great power

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:20.019
 the power

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:21.019
 of the living God

00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.619
 and when they hear

00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.279
 the good news

00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.240
 of Jesus Christ

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.720
 the true God

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.500
 incarnate

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:28.000
 their transformation

00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.980
 is seen

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.440
 here

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:33.460
 look at the word

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.500
 pay attention

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.500
 paid attention

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.660
 it says in

00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.279
 verses 10

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.019
 and 11

00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.860
 that the Samaritans

00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:40.000
 paid attention

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.059
 to him

00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.660
 to Simon

00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.620
 but now

00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:43.019
 it says in

00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.400
 verse 6

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.940
 the crowds

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.820
 with one accord

00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.660
 paid attention

00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.320
 to what was being

00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:46.920
 said by

00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:47.700
 Philip

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:49.120
 their attention

00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.960
 is shifted away

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.720
 from Simon

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.259
 the magician

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.279
 as a result

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.880
 of Philip's

00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.340
 ministry

00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:54.680
 and notice

00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.140
 what exactly

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.880
 people are paying

00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.460
 attention to

00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.180
 in verse 6

00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.680
 formerly they all

00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.320
 paid attention

00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.320
 to him

00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.539
 to Simon

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.180
 himself

00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.779
 they were amazed

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.519
 by him

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.320
 and thought him

00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:07.160
 to be the great

00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.380
 one

00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.240
 the power of God

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.140
 but look at

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:09.580
 verse 6

00:20:09.580 --> 00:20:09.880
 it says

00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:10.400
 the crowds

00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.060
 with one accord

00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:11.799
 paid attention

00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:13.640
 to what was

00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:14.740
 being said

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.680
 by Philip

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:19.460
 this is carefully

00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:19.940
 phrased

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.400
 and I believe

00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.279
 intentionally so

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.039
 because the same

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.860
 phrase is used

00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.519
 later in Acts

00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.279
 chapter 16

00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.000
 verse 14

00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.880
 to say that

00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.240
 the Lord

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.519
 opened Lydia's

00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:27.860
 heart

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.979
 to pay attention

00:20:28.979 --> 00:20:29.659
 to what

00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.819
 was said

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.779
 by Paul

00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:34.919
 charlatans

00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:36.799
 false messengers

00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:38.099
 always bring

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.879
 attention to

00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.639
 themselves

00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:41.119
 as Simon

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.699
 the magician

00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:42.199
 did

00:20:42.199 --> 00:20:45.179
 but true

00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:45.779
 messengers

00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.639
 of the gospel

00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:48.079
 always bring

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.500
 attention

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.079
 to the message

00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:53.719
 because they

00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:54.619
 know well

00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.299
 that they

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.740
 themselves

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.859
 have no power

00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.439
 to save

00:20:57.439 --> 00:20:58.399
 because they

00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.199
 know that

00:20:59.199 --> 00:21:01.519
 only Christ

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.679
 and only his

00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.539
 gospel can save

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.059
 because they

00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.759
 know that they

00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.559
 themselves have

00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.339
 no power to

00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.139
 perform signs

00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.699
 and wonders

00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:10.079
 because they

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.599
 know that they

00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.240
 are merely

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.240
 conduits

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.419
 instruments

00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:14.519
 in the hands

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.059
 of God

00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:18.099
 so Philip

00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:18.480
 is not

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.119
 interested in

00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.299
 bringing

00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.700
 attention

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.500
 to himself

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.339
 garnering

00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:21.899
 the acclaim

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.319
 of men

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:22.899
 he's simply

00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.519
 concerned with

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.019
 being faithful

00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.359
 to his

00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:24.679
 Lord

00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.899
 by faithfully

00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.500
 conveying the

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.000
 message

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.859
 that he

00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.879
 was entrusted

00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:32.319
 and due to

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:32.659
 Philip's

00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:33.299
 faithful ministry

00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.759
 and the power

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.099
 of the Holy

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.399
 Spirit

00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.159
 many men

00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.559
 and women

00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.960
 are converted

00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.619
 and baptized

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.139
 it says in

00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:38.639
 verse 12

00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.480
 in fact

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.019
 verse 13

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.559
 says even

00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.799
 Simon himself

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.279
 believed

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.680
 and after

00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.660
 being baptized

00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.399
 continued

00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:45.039
 with Philip

00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.059
 and seeing

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.579
 signs and

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.200
 great miracles

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.599
 performed

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.619
 he was amazed

00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:50.420
 in verses

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.099
 10 to 11

00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.899
 Simon called

00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.960
 himself great

00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.319
 and amazed

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:54.799
 the people

00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.019
 in verse 13

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.079
 Simon is himself

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.819
 amazed

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:59.019
 by the great

00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.980
 miracles that

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.700
 God performed

00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.339
 through Philip

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:03.299
 the man who

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.819
 used to have

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.879
 crowds of people

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.839
 flocking to him

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:07.279
 and gawking at him

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.299
 now follows

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.079
 Philip around

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.920
 like a groupie

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:13.740
 no great

00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.519
 powers

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.660
 or boasts

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.440
 of men

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.640
 can hold

00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.300
 a candle

00:22:18.300 --> 00:22:19.440
 to the power

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.400
 of God

00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:26.140
 sometimes I

00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.920
 see articles

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.620
 or books

00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.900
 written about

00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.640
 Christian ministry

00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.279
 and they say

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.539
 we're competing

00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.620
 with Hollywood

00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:34.019
 and Netflix

00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.860
 so we need

00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.660
 to make our

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.120
 sermons

00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:37.000
 more entertaining

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:39.279
 they say

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.000
 we're competing

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.359
 with pop artists

00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.200
 and concerts

00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.759
 so we need

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.480
 more professional

00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.359
 worship bands

00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.380
 and to complete

00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.140
 with LED

00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:47.119
 stage lights

00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.359
 and fog machines

00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:51.660
 hear this

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:53.500
 Simon

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.299
 was a sorcerer

00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:55.799
 who had

00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.119
 captivated

00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.019
 the people

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.619
 of Samaria

00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.480
 from the least

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.819
 to the greatest

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.039
 he was so

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.660
 compelling

00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.920
 that people

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.960
 thought he was

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.000
 a deity

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.859
 and yet

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:10.039
 he can do

00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.079
 nothing

00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.339
 when the Holy

00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.000
 Spirit

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.480
 does his

00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.619
 signs and wonders

00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.539
 and brings the

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.420
 gospel of Jesus

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.359
 Christ to bear

00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.119
 with conviction

00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:20.099
 on the hearts

00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.940
 of man and woman

00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:23.119
 he can do

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.720
 nothing

00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.839
 to stop the

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.759
 conversion of his

00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.299
 audience

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.220
 and the loss

00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.160
 of his business

00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:30.599
 in fact

00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.640
 Simon himself

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.440
 who is

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.539
 who had made

00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.099
 a career

00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.880
 of wowing

00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.900
 people is

00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.620
 wowed and

00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.280
 won over

00:23:37.280 --> 00:23:39.880
 so let's

00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.440
 not

00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.720
 patronize

00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.280
 God

00:23:42.280 --> 00:23:43.360
 and treat

00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:43.820
 him

00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.560
 like a

00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.220
 has-been

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.660
 act

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.640
 or a gig

00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.200
 that needs

00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.920
 some extra

00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.580
 help from

00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.560
 our amazing

00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.560
 creative minds

00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:53.720
 instead

00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.540
 let's humble

00:23:54.540 --> 00:23:55.020
 ourselves

00:23:55.020 --> 00:23:55.960
 before him

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.580
 confess

00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:58.540
 our own

00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.240
 inadequacies

00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.960
 and weaknesses

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.080
 and ask

00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.960
 for his

00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.400
 help

00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.360
 ask

00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.240
 for his

00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.740
 power

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:06.320
 because when

00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.800
 the power

00:24:06.800 --> 00:24:07.259
 of the Holy

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.720
 Spirit

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.720
 comes upon

00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.580
 his church

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.740
 there is

00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.259
 nothing

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.720
 that can

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.100
 stand in

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:12.540
 their way

00:24:12.540 --> 00:24:19.320
 this also

00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:19.820
 means we

00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.360
 have nothing

00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:20.900
 to fear

00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.180
 when we

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.080
 face powerful

00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.720
 manifestations

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.160
 of the

00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:24.500
 spiritual

00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.140
 forces of

00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.400
 evil

00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:28.240
 often in

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.440
 foreign

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.780
 missions

00:24:28.780 --> 00:24:29.420
 contexts

00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:32.100
 when facing

00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.920
 literal

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.680
 witch doctors

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.820
 and sorcerers

00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:36.120
 who claim

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.400
 and manipulate

00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.940
 supernatural

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.800
 power

00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:40.779
 people who

00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.680
 captivate

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.340
 and rule

00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:43.640
 others

00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.420
 hearts

00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.180
 with fear

00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:47.759
 when they

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.519
 threaten us

00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.180
 with curses

00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.140
 and incantations

00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:50.680
 and whatever

00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.140
 else

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.800
 we have no

00:24:52.800 --> 00:24:53.960
 need to be

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.539
 afraid

00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:57.019
 the

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.420
 rulers

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.879
 and the

00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.399
 authorities

00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:58.700
 the

00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.119
 cosmic

00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.579
 powers

00:24:59.579 --> 00:24:59.779
 over

00:24:59.779 --> 00:24:59.980
 this

00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.299
 present

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.799
 darkness

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.279
 the

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.659
 spiritual

00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.059
 forces

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.460
 of evil

00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:02.720
 in the

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:02.920
 heavenly

00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.460
 places

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.480
 have no

00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.899
 power

00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:05.259
 over the

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.519
 Lord

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.879
 Jesus

00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.420
 Christ

00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.019
 who is

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.359
 seated

00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:07.759
 at the

00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.119
 right

00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.500
 hand

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:08.940
 of the

00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.299
 Father

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.099
 whose

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.500
 name

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:10.680
 is

00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.200
 exalted

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.539
 above

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.059
 every

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.460
 name

00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.740
 that

00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:12.920
 is

00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.440
 named

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.159
 in

00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:14.519
 heaven

00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:14.960
 or on

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.299
 earth

00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.839
 or under

00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.039
 the

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.259
 earth

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:19.159
 the

00:25:19.159 --> 00:25:19.519
 spirit

00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.839
 of the

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.099
 risen

00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.379
 Lord

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.819
 Jesus

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:22.039
 indwells

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.460
 us

00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.500
 empowers

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:23.940
 us

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.559
 and goes

00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.240
 with us

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.519
 and there

00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.120
 is nothing

00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.600
 that can

00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:27.100
 stand

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:27.440
 in his

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:27.700
 way

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.259
 we are

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.779
 to proclaim

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.360
 the gospel

00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:31.320
 wherever we

00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:31.700
 go

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.900
 not by

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.580
 our power

00:25:33.580 --> 00:25:34.799
 but by

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.460
 the power

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.799
 of the

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.440
 Holy Spirit

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.059
 that's the

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.680
 great power

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.180
 that we see

00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:41.400
 and now we

00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:41.759
 turn to the

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.400
 great promise

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.820
 in verses

00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:43.440
 14 to

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.980
 25

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.759
 it says

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.019
 in verse

00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.580
 14

00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:46.580
 now when

00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.240
 the apostles

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.100
 at Jerusalem

00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.660
 heard that

00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.180
 Samaria had

00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.700
 received the

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.259
 word of God

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.120
 they sent

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.600
 to them

00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:51.980
 Peter

00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.680
 and John

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.320
 this is the

00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.039
 first time

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.360
 in the book

00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.940
 of Acts

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.220
 that Samaria

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.180
 has received

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.660
 the word

00:25:58.660 --> 00:25:59.100
 of God

00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.660
 throughout this

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.140
 passage

00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.660
 Luke

00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.240
 emphasizes

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.620
 the fact

00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:02.880
 that the

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.180
 gospel

00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.539
 is going

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.180
 beyond

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.620
 Jerusalem

00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.039
 and Judea

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.759
 into Samaria

00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.340
 five times

00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:07.640
 in this

00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.220
 passage alone

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.900
 he mentions

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.500
 Samaria

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.460
 and Samaritans

00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.640
 to make sure

00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.480
 we don't miss

00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.259
 the significance

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.060
 of the fact

00:26:14.060 --> 00:26:14.700
 that the

00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.539
 gospel ministry

00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.160
 is now taking

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.980
 place in

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.560
 Samaria

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:19.879
 and this

00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.460
 is connected

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.159
 to the

00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:22.200
 great promise

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.859
 of Jesus

00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.839
 in Acts

00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.519
 chapter 1

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.139
 verse 8

00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:26.379
 which is

00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:27.240
 the

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.779
 programmatic

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.480
 verse of

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.200
 the entire

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.779
 book of Acts

00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.379
 it's like

00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.819
 the thesis

00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.240
 statement

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.399
 but you

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:33.980
 will receive

00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.740
 power when

00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.039
 the Holy

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.419
 Spirit

00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:35.839
 has come

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.379
 upon you

00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.639
 and you

00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:36.839
 will be

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.480
 my witnesses

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.220
 in Jerusalem

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.179
 in all

00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:39.720
 Judea

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.700
 and Samaria

00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.799
 and to

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.440
 the end

00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.859
 of the

00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.159
 earth

00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:45.000
 the book

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.379
 of Acts

00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:46.299
 follows this

00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.859
 outline

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.019
 recounting

00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.419
 the spread

00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:48.639
 of the

00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:48.879
 goodness

00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.319
 of Jesus

00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.019
 in Jerusalem

00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.559
 in chapters

00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.159
 1 through

00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:51.619
 7

00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.579
 in all

00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:52.940
 Judea

00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.700
 and Samaria

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.379
 in chapters

00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:54.919
 8 to

00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.419
 12

00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:56.200
 and to

00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.700
 the end

00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:56.960
 of the

00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.279
 earth

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.779
 in chapters

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.460
 13 to

00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:58.980
 28

00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.859
 Jerusalem

00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.740
 was the

00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.299
 center of

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.659
 Jewish

00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.059
 worship

00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.940
 and further

00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.399
 out in

00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:04.879
 Judea and

00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.259
 Samaria

00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.740
 you found

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.579
 syncretic

00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.139
 Judaism

00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:08.099
 mixed with

00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.440
 folk

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.919
 spirituality

00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.879
 and elements

00:27:09.879 --> 00:27:10.180
 of other

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.539
 religious

00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.039
 traditions

00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.220
 and then

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.680
 the end

00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:12.919
 of the

00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:13.240
 earth

00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.759
 represents

00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.259
 the realm

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.539
 of the

00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:14.980
 nations

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.740
 the Gentiles

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.319
 who practice

00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.799
 pagans

00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:20.740
 we are now

00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.279
 at this point

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.700
 of the book

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.299
 in the second

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:22.960
 stage of the

00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:24.059
 gospel's advancement

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:25.279
 where the gospel

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.140
 multiplies among

00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:27.099
 the Samaritans

00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:29.220
 Samaria was the

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.819
 capital of the

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.519
 northern kingdom

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.039
 of Israel

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.700
 when it was

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.319
 divided into

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.660
 two

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:34.039
 Israel and

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.319
 Judah

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.480
 and the name

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.079
 Samaria

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.960
 eventually came

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.360
 to be used

00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:37.920
 to refer to

00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.059
 the district

00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.660
 and sometimes

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.160
 even to the

00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.579
 entirety

00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:40.880
 of the

00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.539
 northern kingdom

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.920
 and when

00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.619
 the Assyrians

00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.319
 captured

00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.059
 Samaria

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.000
 in 722

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.440
 BC

00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.859
 they deported

00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.759
 all the

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.259
 Israelites

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.200
 of substance

00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.940
 and means

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:52.039
 and then

00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.899
 left behind

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.960
 other Israelites

00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.839
 and then

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.619
 settled that

00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.240
 land with

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.720
 foreigners

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.059
 who then

00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.720
 intermarried

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.180
 with the

00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.480
 remaining

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.059
 Israelites

00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:00.299
 leading to

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.899
 a form of

00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.759
 syncretized

00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.940
 Judaism

00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:05.140
 and when

00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.740
 the Jews

00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.600
 had been

00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.200
 the Jews

00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.240
 had been

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:08.720
 deported

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.660
 who had

00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.140
 been deported

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.180
 returned to

00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:13.580
 their homeland

00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:14.220
 from exile

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.360
 they viewed

00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:16.140
 the Samaritans

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.000
 as kind of

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.100
 half Jews

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.340
 people who

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:19.700
 were

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.900
 sub-Jewish

00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:24.100
 both in their

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.799
 ethnicity and

00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.200
 religion

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:27.620
 and one

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:27.960
 notable

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.340
 religious

00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:28.779
 difference

00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.340
 between them

00:28:29.340 --> 00:28:30.160
 I mentioned

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.740
 last week

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.299
 is that the

00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.039
 Samaritans

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:34.240
 saw the

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.599
 Mount Gerizim

00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:37.139
 in Shechem

00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:37.519
 in the city

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.940
 of Shechem

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.639
 as the center

00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.799
 of worship

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.119
 while the

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:42.000
 Jews saw

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.720
 Jerusalem

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.200
 and Mount

00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.659
 Zion

00:28:43.659 --> 00:28:44.319
 as the center

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.740
 of worship

00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:47.440
 and considering

00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.059
 this it's

00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.819
 notable that

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.500
 Stephen in

00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.079
 the previous

00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.680
 chapter in

00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.500
 Acts chapter 7

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.460
 pointed out

00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.200
 that Joseph

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.159
 one of the

00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:55.079
 Jews revered

00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.420
 by the

00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.079
 patriarchs

00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.700
 was buried

00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.779
 not in

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.279
 Jerusalem

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.859
 but in

00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.339
 Shechem

00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:01.139
 he did

00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.579
 this to

00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.019
 emphasize

00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.879
 that God's

00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.179
 presence

00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.639
 is not

00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:04.319
 confined

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.720
 to

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.220
 Jerusalem

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.539
 and that

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:06.919
 God's

00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.399
 powerful

00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:07.939
 and gracious

00:29:07.939 --> 00:29:08.399
 work

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.259
 transcends

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.839
 the boundaries

00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.399
 of Israel

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.460
 and with

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.240
 that detail

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.619
 Luke

00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.379
 deftly

00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:13.879
 prepared

00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:14.299
 a way

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.839
 for chapter

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.199
 8

00:29:15.199 --> 00:29:16.019
 where even

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.619
 Samaria

00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.439
 receives

00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:18.019
 the word

00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.579
 of God

00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:21.099
 and when

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.779
 the apostles

00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.539
 at Jerusalem

00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.460
 heard of the

00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:23.919
 reception of

00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.259
 the gospel

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.779
 in Samaria

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.559
 it says

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.179
 in verse 14

00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:26.559
 that they

00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.359
 sent to them

00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.919
 Peter and

00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.240
 John

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:30.019
 the reason

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.680
 for ascending

00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:30.980
 them

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.319
 is given

00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.960
 in verse 15

00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.400
 they came

00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:32.799
 down and

00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.579
 prayed for

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:33.900
 them

00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.599
 that they

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.400
 might receive

00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:35.920
 the Holy

00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.319
 Spirit

00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.940
 this was

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.480
 necessary

00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.059
 because

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.079
 as verse 16

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.660
 says the Holy

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.220
 Spirit had

00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.519
 not fallen

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.640
 not yet fallen

00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.519
 on any of us

00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.640
 but they had

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.259
 only been

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.019
 baptized in the

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.380
 name of the

00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.880
 Lord Jesus

00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:50.299
 this raises

00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.819
 the question

00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.480
 of how did

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:51.859
 they know

00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.380
 that the Holy

00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:52.839
 Spirit had

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.240
 not come

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.640
 upon the

00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.279
 Samaritans

00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:56.059
 earlier in

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.839
 Acts chapter 2

00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.559
 17 and 18

00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.279
 at Pentecost

00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.139
 Peter explained

00:29:59.139 --> 00:29:59.539
 that the

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.099
 descent of

00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.379
 the Holy

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.000
 Spirit is a

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.700
 fulfillment of

00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.220
 the prophecy

00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.019
 in Joel 2

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.039
 28 to 32

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:06.980
 and Peter

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.440
 and John

00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.799
 knew

00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.819
 likely from

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.279
 Philip's

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.639
 report

00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.019
 that the

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.500
 Holy Spirit

00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:10.960
 had not

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.639
 fallen upon

00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.039
 them yet

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.480
 because there

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.960
 was no

00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.700
 spirit of

00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.220
 prophecy

00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.359
 evident among

00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.619
 them

00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:17.940
 when we

00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.639
 repent and

00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.200
 believe in

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.680
 Jesus and

00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.180
 are baptized

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.740
 in his

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.059
 name

00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.639
 the Holy

00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.139
 Spirit

00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:22.859
 indwells

00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.180
 us

00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.519
 he brings

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.080
 genuine

00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:25.640
 conviction

00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.340
 of sin

00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:27.380
 and joy

00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.060
 of salvation

00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:28.560
 as we see

00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:28.799
 in this

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.220
 passage

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.640
 he sheds

00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.080
 the love

00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:31.560
 of God

00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:32.120
 upon our

00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.519
 hearts

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:33.880
 so that we

00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.620
 love God

00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.400
 in response

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.400
 and seek

00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.180
 to please

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.460
 him

00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.360
 he produces

00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.279
 his fruit

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.100
 within us

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:42.320
 and distributes

00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:43.039
 his gifts

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:44.539
 among us

00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:46.120
 gifts such as

00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.500
 tongues

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.180
 prophecy

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.060
 healing

00:30:48.060 --> 00:30:50.000
 he transforms

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.480
 us

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.860
 and this is

00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.240
 not

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.539
 an

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.400
 imperceptible

00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:54.799
 thing

00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:57.620
 it's

00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.420
 noticeable

00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.359
 to the

00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.759
 apostles

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.759
 that the

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.380
 Holy Spirit

00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:01.900
 had not

00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.500
 fallen upon

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.019
 a Samaritan

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:06.279
 this is a

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.980
 very intriguing

00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.620
 and surprising

00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.200
 situation

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.799
 you can see

00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.319
 on the screen

00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.420
 what Peter

00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.940
 preached in

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.480
 Acts 2

00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.059
 38 to

00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.579
 39

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.900
 repent and

00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.519
 be baptized

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.259
 every one

00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.480
 of you

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:16.839
 in the name

00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.200
 of Jesus

00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.559
 Christ

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:17.859
 for the

00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.160
 forgiveness

00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.579
 of your

00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:18.920
 sins

00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.960
 and you

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.800
 will receive

00:31:20.800 --> 00:31:21.259
 the gift

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:21.480
 of the

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.039
 Holy Spirit

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:24.220
 for the

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.600
 promises

00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:25.060
 for you

00:31:25.060 --> 00:31:25.320
 and for

00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:25.480
 your

00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.800
 children

00:31:25.800 --> 00:31:26.080
 and for

00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:26.460
 all who

00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:26.759
 are far

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:26.940
 off

00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.259
 everyone

00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.480
 whom

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.600
 the

00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:27.759
 Lord

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.080
 God

00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:29.000
 calls

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.140
 to

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.600
 himself

00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:30.740
 so

00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.240
 scripture

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.900
 ties the

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.259
 reception

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.940
 of the

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.519
 Holy Spirit

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.259
 to

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.220
 baptism

00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.620
 in the

00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.019
 name

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.420
 of

00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:37.740
 Jesus

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.220
 Christ

00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.740
 and in

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:39.940
 this

00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.320
 passage

00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:40.860
 we see

00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.360
 that the

00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:42.120
 Samaritans

00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:43.060
 have done

00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:44.080
 exactly

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.259
 what Peter

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.720
 said

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.259
 they needed

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.759
 to do

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.879
 they've

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.460
 repented

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.339
 and they

00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.939
 believed

00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:50.519
 and they've

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.079
 been baptized

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:51.559
 in the name

00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:51.740
 of the

00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:51.919
 Lord

00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.339
 Jesus

00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:53.939
 and yet

00:31:53.939 --> 00:31:55.259
 where's

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.519
 the Holy

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:55.859
 Spirit

00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:59.119
 what gives

00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:00.319
 this is

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.779
 supposed to

00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.000
 be an

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.220
 odd

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.759
 situation

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:04.879
 Luke

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.599
 acknowledges

00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.439
 the strangeness

00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:06.879
 of this

00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.220
 when he

00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.599
 notes that

00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:07.939
 the Holy

00:32:07.939 --> 00:32:08.379
 Spirit

00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:08.939
 had not

00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.240
 yet

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.699
 fallen

00:32:09.699 --> 00:32:10.259
 on any

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.740
 of them

00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.339
 but they

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.000
 had only

00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.599
 been baptized

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.039
 in the name

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.179
 of the

00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:13.319
 Lord

00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:13.639
 Jesus

00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:14.020
 the word

00:32:14.020 --> 00:32:14.640
 only

00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.780
 highlights

00:32:15.780 --> 00:32:16.020
 this

00:32:16.020 --> 00:32:16.660
 conspicuous

00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.160
 absence

00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.540
 of the

00:32:17.540 --> 00:32:17.740
 Holy

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.080
 Spirit

00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:19.900
 because we

00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.380
 saw earlier

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:20.720
 in chapter

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.040
 1

00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:21.300
 verses

00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.860
 46

00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.520
 Jesus

00:32:22.520 --> 00:32:22.940
 commanded

00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.100
 the

00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.360
 apostles

00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:24.000
 to wait

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.500
 for the

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:24.840
 promise

00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.120
 of the

00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:25.520
 Father

00:32:25.520 --> 00:32:26.360
 but he

00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:26.600
 said

00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:26.980
 you heard

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.400
 from me

00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:27.900
 for John

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.480
 baptized

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:28.820
 with

00:32:28.820 --> 00:32:29.360
 water

00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.320
 but you

00:32:30.320 --> 00:32:30.640
 will be

00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.060
 baptized

00:32:31.060 --> 00:32:31.420
 with the

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:31.740
 Holy

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.380
 Spirit

00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:33.080
 not many

00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:33.460
 days

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.020
 from now

00:32:34.020 --> 00:32:36.759
 the days

00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.340
 of John's

00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:37.680
 baptism

00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.220
 of water

00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.140
 has passed

00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.340
 now is

00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:40.820
 the age

00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.380
 of baptism

00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:41.660
 of the

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:41.840
 Holy

00:32:41.840 --> 00:32:42.240
 Spirit

00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.140
 so it

00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:43.780
 is unique

00:32:43.780 --> 00:32:44.400
 that these

00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:44.880
 Samaritan

00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.300
 believers

00:32:45.300 --> 00:32:45.940
 have not

00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.940
 yet received

00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.280
 the Holy

00:32:47.280 --> 00:32:47.580
 Spirit

00:32:47.580 --> 00:32:48.460
 despite the

00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:48.800
 fact that

00:32:48.800 --> 00:32:49.100
 they have

00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:49.640
 received the

00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:49.920
 word of

00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.140
 God

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:52.560
 so what's

00:32:52.560 --> 00:32:53.000
 the reason

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.420
 for this

00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:54.300
 unusual delay

00:32:54.300 --> 00:32:56.140
 why did

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.860
 God wait

00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:57.280
 to send

00:32:57.280 --> 00:32:57.620
 the Holy

00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:57.880
 Spirit

00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.560
 until Peter

00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.320
 and John

00:32:59.320 --> 00:32:59.960
 came to lay

00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.400
 their hands

00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:00.700
 on them

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.060
 and pray

00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:01.480
 for them

00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:03.400
 the best

00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:03.420
 the best

00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:03.860
 explanation

00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.559
 seems to

00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:04.900
 be that

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.240
 this is

00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.900
 a special

00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.420
 moment

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.380
 in God's

00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:07.819
 salvation

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.339
 plan

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.759
 when salvation

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.460
 which is

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.019
 from the

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.460
 Jews

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.420
 is extended

00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:12.940
 to the

00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.599
 Samaritans

00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:15.759
 Samaritans

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.460
 were accustomed

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.079
 to being

00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.720
 treated as

00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.400
 second class

00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:18.799
 Jews

00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.759
 they were

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.519
 never fully

00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.400
 received into

00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:21.900
 the covenant

00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.519
 community of

00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:22.819
 God

00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.599
 in Ezra

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.299
 chapter 4

00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.640
 when the

00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:25.960
 Jewish

00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:26.599
 exiles

00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.299
 returned

00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:28.099
 to Jerusalem

00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:28.680
 to rebuild

00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.259
 the temple

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.500
 the Samaritans

00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.039
 approached

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.700
 these Jews

00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.140
 and said

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.480
 to them

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.259
 let us

00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:33.660
 build

00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.440
 with you

00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.320
 for we

00:33:35.320 --> 00:33:35.840
 worship

00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:36.600
 your God

00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.060
 as you

00:33:37.060 --> 00:33:37.380
 do

00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:37.920
 and we

00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.240
 have been

00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.940
 sacrificing

00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:39.360
 to him

00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:39.940
 ever since

00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.440
 the days

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.360
 of Eserhaddon

00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:41.860
 king of

00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.360
 Assyria

00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.799
 who brought

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.180
 us here

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.279
 but the

00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:44.700
 Jews

00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.360
 rejected

00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:45.740
 them

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.259
 and said

00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:46.980
 you

00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.539
 have

00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.180
 nothing

00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.039
 to do

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.580
 with us

00:33:49.580 --> 00:33:50.160
 in building

00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:50.620
 a house

00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:50.940
 to our

00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:51.279
 God

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:52.120
 but we

00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:52.620
 alone

00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:53.600
 will build

00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:53.940
 to the

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.200
 Lord

00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.740
 the God

00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.340
 of Israel

00:33:55.340 --> 00:33:57.980
 this ancient

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.620
 rivalry

00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.339
 and enmity

00:33:59.339 --> 00:33:59.919
 between them

00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.779
 were so

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.359
 strong

00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:01.899
 that they

00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:02.799
 wanted

00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.339
 nothing

00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:03.779
 to do

00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.179
 with each

00:34:04.179 --> 00:34:04.339
 other

00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:04.579
 as we

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:04.939
 see in

00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:05.119
 John

00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:05.819
 chapter 4

00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:07.939
 it's in

00:34:07.939 --> 00:34:08.719
 that context

00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.659
 of hostility

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.719
 Peter

00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:11.440
 and John

00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:13.159
 representatives

00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:13.799
 of the

00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.139
 twelve

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.639
 apostles

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.319
 who according

00:34:15.319 --> 00:34:15.699
 to Luke

00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.119
 22

00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.539
 30

00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.819
 sit on

00:34:17.819 --> 00:34:18.319
 thrones

00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:18.799
 judging

00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.259
 the twelve

00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:19.639
 tribes

00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.079
 of Israel

00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.380
 in the

00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:20.579
 kingdom

00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.139
 of God

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.900
 personally

00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:24.019
 come to

00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.460
 Samaria

00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.960
 to physically

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.039
 lay their

00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:27.799
 hands on

00:34:27.799 --> 00:34:27.920
 the Samaritans

00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.700
 Samaritans

00:34:28.700 --> 00:34:29.639
 and offer

00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.360
 them the

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:30.720
 right

00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.400
 can of

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:31.980
 fellowship

00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:37.440
 laying on

00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.000
 of hands

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:39.059
 in the

00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.360
 book of

00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.559
 Acts

00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.019
 occurs

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.559
 in context

00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.240
 of appointing

00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:41.480
 someone

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:41.860
 for a

00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.099
 special

00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.619
 ministry

00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.760
 or for

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.240
 healing

00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:44.740
 or for

00:34:44.740 --> 00:34:45.400
 impartation

00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:45.639
 of the

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:45.800
 Holy

00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:46.180
 Spirit

00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:47.500
 it seems

00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:47.800
 to be

00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:48.480
 an outward

00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.800
 representation

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.760
 of an

00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:51.400
 inward

00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.599
 transfer

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:52.960
 of the

00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.360
 Spirit's

00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:53.680
 power

00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:53.900
 the

00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.440
 application

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:54.800
 of the

00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.099
 Spirit's

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.360
 power

00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.140
 God

00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:57.079
 this is

00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:57.620
 God's

00:34:57.620 --> 00:34:58.120
 way

00:34:58.120 --> 00:34:59.280
 in sending

00:34:59.280 --> 00:34:59.780
 Peter and

00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.000
 John

00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.280
 of

00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:01.680
 authenticating

00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:03.340
 and legitimizing

00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.599
 the inclusion

00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.120
 of the

00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:05.780
 Samaritans

00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:06.140
 to the

00:35:06.140 --> 00:35:06.519
 church

00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.200
 of God

00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:08.280
 this is a

00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:09.200
 momentous

00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:10.099
 occasion

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.779
 there

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.239
 cannot

00:35:12.239 --> 00:35:12.799
 be

00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.199
 two

00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.759
 separate

00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.360
 churches

00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.880
 the

00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.259
 Jewish

00:35:16.259 --> 00:35:16.599
 one

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:17.059
 and the

00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:17.480
 Samaritan

00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:17.839
 one

00:35:17.839 --> 00:35:19.279
 there

00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:19.679
 can only

00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.299
 be one

00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:20.799
 church

00:35:20.799 --> 00:35:21.019
 of

00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:21.400
 Christ

00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:21.699
 this

00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:21.960
 was

00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:22.259
 not

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.460
 a

00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:22.900
 case

00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.460
 of

00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:23.759
 Philip

00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.360
 the rogue

00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.119
 evangelist

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.679
 offering

00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.179
 salvation

00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:26.420
 to

00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:26.960
 Samaritans

00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.400
 when God

00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:27.719
 himself

00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:28.299
 had no

00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:28.699
 plans

00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.059
 of doing

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.380
 that

00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.500
 God

00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:30.679
 is

00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.059
 himself

00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.500
 putting

00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:31.900
 his

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.360
 stamp

00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:32.539
 of

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:32.980
 approval

00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.539
 on

00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.319
 Samaria's

00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:34.860
 reception

00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.279
 of his

00:35:35.279 --> 00:35:35.699
 word

00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.839
 Samaritans

00:35:36.839 --> 00:35:37.139
 are no

00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.619
 longer

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.400
 second

00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:38.980
 class

00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.759
 Jews

00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.900
 they are

00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.300
 not

00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:41.960
 half

00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:42.600
 brothers

00:35:42.600 --> 00:35:42.900
 but

00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.400
 full

00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:43.740
 brothers

00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:43.980
 and

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.240
 sisters

00:35:44.240 --> 00:35:44.540
 in the

00:35:44.540 --> 00:35:44.800
 family

00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:44.960
 of

00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.160
 God

00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:46.000
 they are

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.360
 not

00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:46.900
 resident

00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.400
 aliens

00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:47.760
 but

00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:48.400
 full

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:48.900
 citizens

00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.540
 in the

00:35:49.540 --> 00:35:49.760
 kingdom

00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:49.960
 of

00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.100
 God

00:35:50.100 --> 00:35:50.280
 they're

00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:50.640
 not

00:35:50.640 --> 00:35:51.420
 visitors

00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:51.800
 or

00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.600
 observers

00:35:52.600 --> 00:35:53.040
 but

00:35:53.040 --> 00:35:53.740
 full

00:35:53.740 --> 00:35:54.420
 members

00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.180
 of

00:35:55.180 --> 00:35:55.620
 the

00:35:55.620 --> 00:35:55.900
 church

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.100
 of

00:35:56.100 --> 00:35:56.400
 God

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:58.340
 this

00:35:58.340 --> 00:35:58.460
 is

00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.640
 the

00:35:58.640 --> 00:35:59.160
 Samaritan

00:35:59.160 --> 00:35:59.840
 Pentecost

00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:02.160
 and

00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:02.460
 God

00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:02.640
 had

00:36:02.640 --> 00:36:03.040
 delayed

00:36:03.040 --> 00:36:03.260
 it

00:36:03.260 --> 00:36:03.520
 to

00:36:03.520 --> 00:36:04.140
 reveal

00:36:04.140 --> 00:36:04.440
 and

00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:05.060
 confirm

00:36:05.060 --> 00:36:05.460
 his

00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.040
 salvation

00:36:06.040 --> 00:36:06.620
 purposes

00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:09.060
 the

00:36:09.060 --> 00:36:09.360
 spirit

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:09.500
 of

00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:09.740
 God

00:36:09.740 --> 00:36:10.039
 fell

00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.260
 upon

00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:10.440
 the

00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:10.740
 Jews

00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:10.900
 in

00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.120
 chapter

00:36:11.120 --> 00:36:11.539
 2

00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.280
 he

00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:12.480
 now

00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:12.740
 falls

00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:12.900
 upon

00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:13.059
 the

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.640
 Samaritans

00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:13.800
 in

00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:14.059
 chapter

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.440
 8

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.019
 and

00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.140
 then

00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:15.260
 he

00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:15.400
 will

00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:15.660
 fall

00:36:15.660 --> 00:36:15.960
 upon

00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:16.160
 the

00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:16.760
 Gentiles

00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:16.960
 in

00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.240
 chapter

00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:17.700
 10

00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:19.800
 of

00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:20.059
 course

00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.260
 the

00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.440
 Holy

00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:20.760
 Spirit

00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:21.000
 can

00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:21.380
 descend

00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:21.640
 upon

00:36:21.640 --> 00:36:21.800
 a

00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:21.980
 group

00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.140
 of

00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:22.480
 believers

00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:22.700
 in

00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:22.980
 power

00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.340
 today

00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:23.780
 also

00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.440
 but

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:24.780
 these

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.340
 three

00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:25.960
 occasions

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.460
 are

00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:27.039
 unique

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:28.539
 unrepeatable

00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.120
 events

00:36:29.120 --> 00:36:29.800
 that

00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.140
 mark

00:36:30.140 --> 00:36:30.340
 the

00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.000
 initial

00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.519
 reception

00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:31.720
 of

00:36:31.720 --> 00:36:31.840
 the

00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:32.019
 Holy

00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.400
 Spirit

00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:32.680
 by

00:36:32.680 --> 00:36:33.099
 Jews

00:36:33.099 --> 00:36:33.740
 Samaritans

00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:33.920
 and

00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.340
 Gentiles

00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:34.900
 respectively

00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:37.280
 the

00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.800
 implications

00:36:37.800 --> 00:36:38.400
 of this

00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.440
 are manifold

00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.880
 over the

00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:41.480
 last year

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:41.780
 or so

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:42.099
 we have

00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.300
 gone

00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:42.559
 through

00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:42.980
 a health

00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.400
 crisis

00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:43.900
 as well

00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:44.139
 as

00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:45.059
 a turbulent

00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.519
 election

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:45.980
 season

00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:47.180
 our world

00:36:47.180 --> 00:36:47.880
 is full

00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.619
 of divisions

00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.440
 and factions

00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:50.940
 Democrats

00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:51.559
 versus

00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.200
 Republicans

00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.019
 Blacks

00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:53.539
 versus

00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:54.099
 Whites

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:55.059
 Urbanites

00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:55.480
 versus

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.320
 Ruralites

00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.079
 Rich

00:36:57.079 --> 00:36:57.559
 versus

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:57.960
 Poor

00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.880
 Americans

00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.340
 versus

00:36:59.340 --> 00:37:00.000
 Chinese

00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:03.360
 but

00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:03.699
 such

00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.360
 divisions

00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:05.519
 must

00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:06.320
 not

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.980
 create

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.519
 a rift

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.159
 within

00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:08.519
 the

00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:08.900
 church

00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.119
 of

00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:09.500
 Christ

00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:12.639
 as

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:12.760
 it

00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:13.000
 does

00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.119
 in

00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:13.219
 the

00:37:13.219 --> 00:37:13.440
 rest

00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.559
 of

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:13.679
 the

00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:13.880
 world

00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:16.719
 this

00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:16.920
 is

00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:17.360
 why

00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.119
 Ephesians

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.360
 4

00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:18.559
 3

00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:18.659
 to

00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:18.860
 6

00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:19.119
 tells

00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:19.239
 us

00:37:19.239 --> 00:37:19.340
 that

00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:19.440
 we

00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:19.539
 are

00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:19.659
 to

00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:19.800
 be

00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.320
 eager

00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:20.880
 to

00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.300
 maintain

00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:21.760
 the

00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.159
 unity

00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:22.360
 of

00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:22.500
 the

00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:22.760
 spirit

00:37:22.760 --> 00:37:22.920
 in

00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:23.039
 the

00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.320
 bond

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.480
 of

00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:23.880
 peace

00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:25.039
 there

00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.199
 is

00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:25.639
 one

00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.079
 body

00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:27.300
 one

00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.059
 spirit

00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.659
 just

00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:28.800
 as

00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:28.920
 you

00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.360
 recall

00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:29.679
 to

00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.119
 the

00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:30.619
 one

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.019
 hope

00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.199
 that

00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:31.599
 belongs

00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:31.759
 to

00:37:31.759 --> 00:37:31.919
 your

00:37:31.919 --> 00:37:32.259
 call

00:37:32.259 --> 00:37:33.199
 one

00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:33.639
 Lord

00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.539
 one

00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.019
 faith

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:35.819
 one

00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:36.339
 baptism

00:37:36.339 --> 00:37:36.960
 one

00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.559
 God

00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:38.839
 and

00:37:38.839 --> 00:37:39.359
 father

00:37:39.359 --> 00:37:39.579
 of

00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:39.759
 all

00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:39.940
 who

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.079
 is

00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.440
 over

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:40.659
 all

00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:40.839
 and

00:37:40.839 --> 00:37:41.079
 through

00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.359
 all

00:37:41.359 --> 00:37:41.539
 and

00:37:41.539 --> 00:37:41.739
 in

00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:42.079
 all

00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:44.139
 over

00:37:44.139 --> 00:37:44.319
 the

00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:44.619
 last

00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.000
 year

00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:45.279
 or so

00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:45.559
 we

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.019
 as a

00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.239
 local

00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:46.659
 church

00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:46.960
 have

00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:47.319
 also

00:37:47.319 --> 00:37:48.119
 faced

00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:48.739
 many

00:37:48.739 --> 00:37:49.259
 tensions

00:37:49.259 --> 00:37:49.659
 and

00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.319
 potentially

00:37:50.319 --> 00:37:50.960
 divisive

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.399
 issues

00:37:51.399 --> 00:37:52.500
 and we

00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:52.679
 will

00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:53.299
 undoubtedly

00:37:53.299 --> 00:37:53.819
 face

00:37:53.819 --> 00:37:54.239
 more

00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:54.940
 in the

00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.139
 coming

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.619
 months

00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:56.059
 and

00:37:56.059 --> 00:37:56.500
 years

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:58.679
 should

00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:58.819
 we

00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.079
 gather

00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.319
 in

00:37:59.319 --> 00:37:59.759
 person

00:37:59.759 --> 00:38:00.179
 for

00:38:00.179 --> 00:38:00.599
 worship

00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:00.879
 and

00:38:00.879 --> 00:38:01.279
 fellowship

00:38:01.279 --> 00:38:01.679
 or

00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:02.039
 not

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:02.440
 in the

00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:02.579
 middle

00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:02.699
 of

00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:02.799
 a

00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:03.139
 pandemic

00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:05.299
 should

00:38:05.299 --> 00:38:05.419
 we

00:38:05.419 --> 00:38:05.639
 wear

00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.199
 masks

00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:06.559
 during

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.019
 worship

00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.500
 or

00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:07.960
 not

00:38:07.960 --> 00:38:08.619
 should

00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:08.980
 people

00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:09.199
 who

00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:09.319
 have

00:38:09.319 --> 00:38:09.539
 already

00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:09.799
 had

00:38:09.799 --> 00:38:10.139
 covid

00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:10.619
 get

00:38:10.619 --> 00:38:11.159
 vaccinated

00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:11.879
 or

00:38:11.879 --> 00:38:12.239
 not

00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:12.460
 should

00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:12.619
 we

00:38:12.619 --> 00:38:12.839
 meet

00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:13.059
 for

00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.480
 worship

00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.059
 on

00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.419
 saturday

00:38:14.419 --> 00:38:14.839
 morning

00:38:14.839 --> 00:38:15.319
 or on

00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:15.659
 sunday

00:38:15.659 --> 00:38:16.000
 evening

00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:19.179
 you

00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:19.579
 probably

00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.059
 have

00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:20.219
 your

00:38:20.219 --> 00:38:20.440
 own

00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:20.920
 convictions

00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.159
 on

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.400
 all

00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:21.539
 of

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:21.699
 these

00:38:21.699 --> 00:38:22.059
 matters

00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:23.139
 as

00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:23.940
 do

00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.199
 I

00:38:24.199 --> 00:38:26.039
 and

00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:26.159
 we

00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.280
 should

00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:26.679
 frankly

00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:27.099
 acknowledge

00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:27.300
 that

00:38:27.300 --> 00:38:27.460
 we

00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:27.920
 don't

00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:28.539
 all

00:38:28.539 --> 00:38:29.000
 agree

00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.760
 on

00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:29.940
 these

00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.340
 matters

00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:32.719
 however

00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:33.159
 these

00:38:33.159 --> 00:38:34.019
 disagreements

00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:34.579
 do

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:34.980
 not

00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.860
 nullify

00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:36.119
 the

00:38:36.119 --> 00:38:36.460
 fact

00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:37.460
 that

00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:37.880
 in

00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:38.460
 one

00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.079
 spirit

00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:39.400
 we

00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:39.539
 were

00:38:39.539 --> 00:38:39.860
 all

00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:40.380
 baptized

00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.300
 into

00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:41.860
 one

00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.579
 body

00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:46.679
 and

00:38:46.679 --> 00:38:46.860
 for

00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.099
 this

00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:47.440
 reason

00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:47.679
 with

00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:48.119
 all

00:38:48.119 --> 00:38:48.840
 humility

00:38:48.840 --> 00:38:49.539
 and

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.099
 gentleness

00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:50.380
 with

00:38:50.380 --> 00:38:51.079
 patience

00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:51.759
 bearing

00:38:51.759 --> 00:38:52.059
 with

00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:52.239
 one

00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:52.500
 another

00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:52.739
 in

00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.039
 love

00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:53.279
 we

00:38:53.279 --> 00:38:53.460
 must

00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:53.880
 strive

00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:54.059
 to

00:38:54.059 --> 00:38:54.400
 maintain

00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:54.639
 the

00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:54.920
 unity

00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:55.119
 of

00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:55.239
 the

00:38:55.239 --> 00:38:55.460
 spirit

00:38:55.460 --> 00:38:55.579
 and

00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:55.699
 the

00:38:55.699 --> 00:38:55.920
 bond

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.059
 of

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.340
 peace

00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:58.759
 with

00:38:58.759 --> 00:38:59.319
 humility

00:38:59.319 --> 00:39:00.799
 not

00:39:00.799 --> 00:39:01.420
 prideful

00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.099
 condescension

00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:02.319
 or

00:39:02.319 --> 00:39:02.940
 dismissiveness

00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:05.319
 with

00:39:05.319 --> 00:39:06.079
 gentleness

00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:07.279
 not

00:39:07.279 --> 00:39:08.079
 harshness

00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:08.420
 or

00:39:08.420 --> 00:39:09.340
 rudeness

00:39:09.340 --> 00:39:10.539
 with

00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:11.219
 patience

00:39:11.219 --> 00:39:11.699
 not

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:12.539
 impatience

00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:12.699
 or

00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.360
 irritability

00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:15.019
 in

00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.579
 forbearing

00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.179
 love

00:39:16.179 --> 00:39:16.759
 not

00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:17.519
 suspicion

00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.199
 or

00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:18.900
 indifference

00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:21.239
 and

00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:21.539
 many

00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:21.759
 of

00:39:21.759 --> 00:39:21.920
 you

00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.239
 have

00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:22.500
 been

00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:23.059
 fighting

00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:24.239
 valuing

00:39:24.239 --> 00:39:24.920
 for

00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:25.079
 the

00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:25.500
 unity

00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:25.860
 of

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:26.019
 the

00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:26.300
 church

00:39:26.300 --> 00:39:26.480
 over

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:26.599
 the

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:26.840
 last

00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:27.079
 year

00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:27.460
 or so

00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.000
 and

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.059
 I

00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:28.159
 want

00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:28.259
 to

00:39:28.259 --> 00:39:28.579
 encourage

00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:28.759
 you

00:39:28.759 --> 00:39:28.860
 and

00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:29.159
 exhort

00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:29.259
 you

00:39:29.259 --> 00:39:29.380
 to

00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:29.539
 do

00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:29.759
 so

00:39:29.759 --> 00:39:30.239
 more

00:39:30.239 --> 00:39:30.800
 and

00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:31.179
 more

00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:35.320
 and

00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:35.400
 the

00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:35.719
 reception

00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:36.000
 of the

00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.159
 Holy

00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:36.480
 Spirit

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:36.679
 by

00:39:36.679 --> 00:39:36.840
 the

00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.320
 Samaritans

00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:37.619
 also

00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:37.880
 has

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.400
 implications

00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:38.659
 for

00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:38.779
 our

00:39:38.779 --> 00:39:39.519
 evangelistic

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.039
 efforts

00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:41.340
 Jews

00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:41.539
 and

00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.079
 Samaritans

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:42.579
 were sworn

00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:43.119
 enemies

00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:43.860
 yet

00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:44.099
 Philip

00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:44.259
 the

00:39:44.259 --> 00:39:44.719
 evangelist

00:39:44.719 --> 00:39:44.960
 went

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.299
 down

00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:45.639
 to

00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:45.840
 the

00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:46.019
 city

00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.139
 of

00:39:46.139 --> 00:39:46.460
 Samaria

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:46.639
 and

00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:46.940
 proclaimed

00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.159
 to

00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:47.340
 them

00:39:47.340 --> 00:39:47.519
 the

00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:47.960
 Christ

00:39:47.960 --> 00:39:49.239
 because

00:39:49.239 --> 00:39:49.519
 being

00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:49.980
 indwelled

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.199
 by

00:39:50.199 --> 00:39:50.360
 the

00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:50.559
 Holy

00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:50.900
 Spirit

00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.119
 is

00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:51.579
 not

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:51.980
 an

00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:52.559
 exclusive

00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:53.259
 prerogative

00:39:53.259 --> 00:39:53.480
 of

00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:53.799
 ethnic

00:39:53.799 --> 00:39:54.299
 Jews

00:39:54.299 --> 00:39:54.799
 but

00:39:54.799 --> 00:39:54.980
 of

00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.319
 all

00:39:55.319 --> 00:39:55.599
 those

00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:55.719
 who

00:39:55.719 --> 00:39:55.860
 put

00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:56.019
 their

00:39:56.019 --> 00:39:56.299
 faith

00:39:56.299 --> 00:39:56.480
 in

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:56.739
 Jesus

00:39:56.739 --> 00:39:57.239
 Christ

00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:58.339
 people

00:39:58.339 --> 00:39:59.179
 therefore

00:39:59.179 --> 00:39:59.479
 we

00:39:59.479 --> 00:39:59.879
 have

00:39:59.879 --> 00:40:00.319
 no

00:40:00.319 --> 00:40:00.799
 right

00:40:00.799 --> 00:40:01.439
 to

00:40:01.439 --> 00:40:02.079
 withhold

00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:02.339
 the

00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:02.699
 gospel

00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.000
 from

00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.359
 anyone

00:40:03.359 --> 00:40:06.339
 not

00:40:06.339 --> 00:40:06.519
 even

00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:06.739
 from

00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:06.879
 our

00:40:06.879 --> 00:40:07.139
 worst

00:40:07.139 --> 00:40:07.619
 enemies

00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:09.939
 who

00:40:09.939 --> 00:40:10.099
 would

00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:10.219
 you

00:40:10.219 --> 00:40:10.459
 say

00:40:10.459 --> 00:40:10.619
 are

00:40:10.619 --> 00:40:10.959
 people

00:40:10.959 --> 00:40:11.239
 in

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:11.479
 your

00:40:11.479 --> 00:40:11.819
 life

00:40:11.819 --> 00:40:12.099
 that

00:40:12.099 --> 00:40:12.639
 oppose

00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:12.959
 you

00:40:12.959 --> 00:40:14.799
 maybe

00:40:14.799 --> 00:40:15.379
 political

00:40:15.379 --> 00:40:16.019
 opponents

00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:17.500
 theological

00:40:17.500 --> 00:40:18.259
 opponents

00:40:18.259 --> 00:40:18.919
 academic

00:40:18.919 --> 00:40:19.679
 opponents

00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:20.519
 racial

00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:21.119
 or ethnic

00:40:21.119 --> 00:40:21.679
 opponents

00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:22.239
 workplace

00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:22.799
 opponents

00:40:23.500 --> 00:40:28.039
 Maybe it's simply a rude and selfish neighbor that makes your living situation miserable.

00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:36.900
 Regardless, we have no right to withhold from them the saving news of Jesus Christ.

00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:41.200
 Because we have been commissioned as witnesses of the risen Christ,

00:40:41.200 --> 00:40:46.539
 and we are to proclaim the gospel wherever we go by the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:50.260
 But this story has a twist.

00:40:50.260 --> 00:40:53.060
 It says in verses 18 to 19,

00:40:53.160 --> 00:41:10.240
 The word translated power in verse 19 is more frequently translated authority.

00:41:11.060 --> 00:41:15.600
 It refers to the right to control something, to dispense something.

00:41:16.480 --> 00:41:19.760
 Simon's selfish ambition is now laid bare before our eyes.

00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:22.980
 He is essentially coveting the apostolic office.

00:41:25.140 --> 00:41:31.460
 In the book of Acts, it's not only the twelve apostles who pray for and lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit.

00:41:32.100 --> 00:41:38.300
 Later in chapter 9, Ananias, who is not one of the twelve, lays hands on Paul and prays for him to receive the Holy Spirit.

00:41:38.660 --> 00:41:39.860
 And he's filled with the Holy Spirit.

00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:51.500
 In chapter 19, rather Paul himself, who is not one of the twelve, preaches and baptizes and lays his hands on believers and they receive the Holy Spirit.

00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.720
 Not on believers, on new converts.

00:41:54.920 --> 00:41:56.840
 And they receive the Holy Spirit as they're converted and baptized.

00:41:56.840 --> 00:42:02.559
 Sometimes the Holy Spirit even comes upon people without the laying on of hands.

00:42:02.840 --> 00:42:06.640
 Like in Acts chapter 10 when he falls upon the Gentiles even before they are baptized.

00:42:06.639 --> 00:42:16.539
 So it's silly, in a sense, to think that we can contain the activity of the Holy Spirit to the touch of our two hands.

00:42:17.739 --> 00:42:25.539
 But Simon the magician was used to thinking that way because he's used to paying money to exchange magical secrets.

00:42:25.539 --> 00:42:27.519
 That's how he made his living.

00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:32.019
 So he applies that pagan mentality to this situation.

00:42:32.380 --> 00:42:39.259
 He thinks he can buy the gift of God with money to acquire the authority to dispense the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

00:42:40.480 --> 00:42:46.880
 And Peter is understandably offended and we see his fiery response in verses 20 to 30.

00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:54.019
 May your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.

00:42:54.019 --> 00:42:59.800
 You have neither part nor lot in this matter for your heart is not right before God.

00:43:00.719 --> 00:43:02.920
 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of your heart.

00:43:03.579 --> 00:43:05.659
 This is where we get the term simony.

00:43:05.860 --> 00:43:06.860
 Have you guys heard of that term?

00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.380
 Simony?

00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:12.259
 It's a term that we get from church history.

00:43:12.880 --> 00:43:20.960
 It was historically used to refer to attempts to buy or sell with temporal price something that is spiritual.

00:43:20.960 --> 00:43:29.139
 For example, if you pay a pastor money so you can be appointed a deacon, that's Simon.

00:43:31.079 --> 00:43:33.940
 There are people who actually think this way.

00:43:36.460 --> 00:43:39.760
 But spiritual benefits cannot be bought.

00:43:39.760 --> 00:43:48.100
 Peter tells Simon, you have neither part nor lot in this matter for your heart is not right before God.

00:43:48.580 --> 00:43:57.000
 Earlier in chapter 1, the word lot or the word share, it's the same word, was used to refer to the apostolic ministry of the 12.

00:43:57.820 --> 00:44:02.540
 And when they were choosing by lot who will be the 12th apostle to replace Judas Iscariot,

00:44:02.539 --> 00:44:08.000
 they prayed, you, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen.

00:44:08.619 --> 00:44:13.119
 God who knows man's hearts chose Matthias for the lot of apostleship.

00:44:13.679 --> 00:44:17.460
 And here, because Simon's wicked, selfish heart is laid bare,

00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:20.340
 Peter rebuffs his advances and tells him,

00:44:20.400 --> 00:44:25.219
 you have neither part nor lot in this matter, in this ministry,

00:44:25.599 --> 00:44:27.759
 for your heart is not right before God.

00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:33.660
 When God sent Samuel to anoint the new king in 1 Samuel 16, 7,

00:44:33.720 --> 00:44:37.740
 He told him, do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature,

00:44:38.060 --> 00:44:42.320
 because I have rejected him, for the Lord sees not as man sees.

00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:47.320
 Man looks on the outward appearance, the Lord looks on the heart.

00:44:48.540 --> 00:44:54.840
 That's why qualifications for officeholders in the church in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3

00:44:54.840 --> 00:44:57.240
 emphasize the person's character.

00:44:57.760 --> 00:45:02.800
 I don't care how much money you give to the church

00:45:02.800 --> 00:45:07.620
 or what kind of a big shot you are at your workplace or out in society.

00:45:09.720 --> 00:45:14.880
 I don't care if Joe Biden or George Clooney or Oprah Winfrey

00:45:14.880 --> 00:45:19.360
 or Justin Bieber or Jeff Bezos or Dalai Lama

00:45:19.360 --> 00:45:22.000
 walks into our church service.

00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:29.199
 Simon was a celebrity and most likely rich.

00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:33.639
 He clearly thought he could afford the great power, authority of dispensing the Holy Spirit.

00:45:34.639 --> 00:45:39.260
 But his conversion, which undoubtedly would have garnered a lot of attention from the region,

00:45:39.260 --> 00:45:45.480
 does not automatically make Simon hold standing authority in the church.

00:45:45.480 --> 00:45:54.400
 wealthy people, powerful people who are wicked think that they can get whatever they want with their deep pockets.

00:45:54.400 --> 00:45:59.179
 They try to buy politicians, police officers, newspapers, and even judges.

00:45:59.679 --> 00:46:04.519
 But to think that you can buy and control the spirit of the living God

00:46:04.519 --> 00:46:07.820
 is the height of human humorous.

00:46:07.820 --> 00:46:12.460
 This is why Simon is so sinful.

00:46:12.600 --> 00:46:14.140
 It offends the glory of God.

00:46:16.860 --> 00:46:21.420
 It makes him out to be some lesser deity that you can manipulate and control.

00:46:21.420 --> 00:46:25.460
 But Simon is sinful for another reason.

00:46:26.820 --> 00:46:29.159
 It offends the grace of God.

00:46:31.059 --> 00:46:36.780
 Why does Peter say in verse 20 that Simon can't buy the authority to impart the Holy Spirit?

00:46:37.559 --> 00:46:41.619
 Because it is the gift of God.

00:46:41.619 --> 00:46:51.659
 The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who applies all the saving benefits of Christ to us,

00:46:52.659 --> 00:46:54.920
 is the gift of God.

00:46:55.679 --> 00:47:01.179
 And a gift is by definition not something that is bought, but something that is freely given.

00:47:01.179 --> 00:47:12.679
 I often give my daughters, whom I love, gifts, whether it's clothes, food, books, or toys.

00:47:13.859 --> 00:47:18.619
 But imagine one day that they came up to me with four quarters that they had saved up

00:47:18.619 --> 00:47:19.819
 and said,

00:47:19.960 --> 00:47:23.879
 Dad, thank you for all that you've done for us.

00:47:25.339 --> 00:47:28.980
 We finally saved up enough money to pay you all back.

00:47:31.179 --> 00:47:38.859
 That would make me maybe laugh at first, but that would make me so sad and insulted.

00:47:42.619 --> 00:47:47.039
 Because they miss my heart as their father.

00:47:49.739 --> 00:47:57.639
 Because they have reduced my loving father-daughter relationship with them to a market transaction.

00:48:01.179 --> 00:48:05.259
 But this is so often what we do with God.

00:48:07.799 --> 00:48:11.199
 Non-Christians, and sometimes even Christians,

00:48:11.319 --> 00:48:16.119
 try to buy or earn the favor of God with what they bring to the table.

00:48:19.199 --> 00:48:20.759
 Look at what I've done, God.

00:48:22.059 --> 00:48:24.000
 Look at what I've paid to you.

00:48:24.000 --> 00:48:26.860
 Look at my devotion.

00:48:27.780 --> 00:48:29.079
 Look at my good works.

00:48:29.840 --> 00:48:31.219
 Look at my tithes.

00:48:32.659 --> 00:48:34.320
 Thinking that we can earn,

00:48:34.800 --> 00:48:36.059
 by our own merits,

00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:37.039
 the favor of God,

00:48:37.119 --> 00:48:38.059
 the salvation of God,

00:48:38.099 --> 00:48:39.039
 the grace of God,

00:48:39.179 --> 00:48:40.380
 the power of God.

00:48:41.780 --> 00:48:44.460
 But that is no less foolish than what Simon did here.

00:48:45.179 --> 00:48:48.420
 Because it also spurns the grace of God.

00:48:48.420 --> 00:48:53.639
 God doesn't need anything from us.

00:48:53.720 --> 00:48:59.039
 We can neither deserve nor afford the presence of God,

00:48:59.139 --> 00:49:00.059
 the gift of God,

00:49:00.119 --> 00:49:00.700
 His Spirit.

00:49:01.519 --> 00:49:04.920
 But God offers Himself to us freely in Jesus Christ.

00:49:05.700 --> 00:49:07.019
 Jesus says in Luke 11,

00:49:07.019 --> 00:49:33.340
 He who did not spare His own Son,

00:49:33.340 --> 00:49:35.639
 but gave Him up for us all,

00:49:35.639 --> 00:49:39.699
 will He not also with Him give us all things?

00:49:41.779 --> 00:49:44.420
 God sent His beloved Son,

00:49:45.079 --> 00:49:46.940
 His only Son, Jesus,

00:49:47.139 --> 00:49:49.759
 to die for our sins on the cross

00:49:49.759 --> 00:49:51.299
 and to rise from the dead,

00:49:51.379 --> 00:49:52.980
 to give us eternal life.

00:49:53.779 --> 00:49:55.019
 He owed us nothing.

00:49:55.339 --> 00:49:57.440
 We broke our end of the covenant.

00:49:58.679 --> 00:50:00.299
 We were sinners destined for

00:50:00.299 --> 00:50:02.279
 and well deserving of eternal punishment.

00:50:03.079 --> 00:50:04.859
 But out of His rich mercy,

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 out of His endless compassion,

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 out of His loving kindness,

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 God sent Jesus to be our Messiah,

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 to save us.

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 That, more than anything else,

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 reveals the heart of God toward us.

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 Do you think then that God would begrudged to give you His Holy Spirit?

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 We have freely received,

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 and now we are commissioned to freely give.

00:50:51.980 --> 00:50:54.919
 As recipients of the great promise of the Holy Spirit,

00:50:55.879 --> 00:50:59.699
 let's go liberally sharing the good news of Jesus Christ

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 wherever we go

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 by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 Heavenly Father, we ask,

00:51:09.099 --> 00:51:13.059
 we claim this great promise

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 which You have already given to us.

00:51:15.239 --> 00:51:20.139
 we pray for more and more

00:51:20.139 --> 00:51:21.500
 the feeling of the Holy Spirit

00:51:21.500 --> 00:51:23.539
 who already indwells us.

00:51:28.539 --> 00:51:30.039
 That we might live

00:51:30.039 --> 00:51:32.239
 in spite of great persecution

00:51:32.239 --> 00:51:34.899
 with awareness of Your great power,

00:51:36.379 --> 00:51:37.839
 remembering Your great promise

00:51:37.840 --> 00:51:42.360
 to bear witness to Jesus

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 to the end of the earth.

00:51:46.500 --> 00:51:47.680
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:51:48.240 --> 00:51:48.500
 Amen.