WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:07.200 Well folks, wonderful to be with you this morning. Hope you're well. Hope those who are joining us online are doing okay as well. 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:16.539 Let's come back to God's holy word, shall we? Acts chapter 5 is where we are today. Why don't you turn there and we're back in our series of Acts. 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:26.859 We're joining this group, remember, of about 5,000 people who have decided to follow Jesus and who collectively together make up this early church. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:30.820 And one of the central figures to our passage today is this guy called Gamaliel. 00:00:31.339 --> 00:00:34.280 Gamaliel is one of the respected religious leaders of the day. 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:41.619 And what we get in this passage is his take on this whole Jesus of Nazareth business. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:46.560 So let me try and get us to the kind of heart of what he makes of it. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:50.200 Here are three famous faces from history on the screen. 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:54.719 And I want you to think about the word which connects them. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:59.879 So we have Shea Guevara, we've got Joan of Arc, and we've got William Wallace. 00:00:59.939 --> 00:01:04.560 I thought I'd put Mel Gibson up there because I know some of you love the historical accuracy of that film. 00:01:05.819 --> 00:01:09.180 Okay, so there are three people. What's the word that connects them? 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:13.539 Revolutionaries, not freedom. Revolutionaries. 00:01:14.819 --> 00:01:15.640 Revolutionaries, right? 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:22.640 So somebody who goes against the establishment, somebody who rallies against the cultural norms, 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:26.900 somebody who's not accepting of the status quo. 00:01:27.960 --> 00:01:29.420 Right? Revolutionaries. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:35.460 And that's Gamaliel's take on this whole Jesus of Nazareth movement. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:38.439 If you come with me to the text, you'll see that he puts 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:45.959 Jesus in the same category as two local guys who've just led many revolts. 00:01:46.039 --> 00:01:46.719 Right? Come with me. 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:47.620 Verse 36. 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:49.519 Here's our two guys. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:50.319 Verse 36. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:52.459 Thedas, number one. 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:56.519 And Judas the Galilean, verse 37. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:00.099 Two guys who've led many revolts in recent history. 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:06.379 And what connects these two men is that they both rolled up in Jerusalem claiming to be somebodies. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:08.060 Right? Do you see that? 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:09.280 Claimed to be somebodies. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:10.280 Had a cause. 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:11.759 Had a mob. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:15.340 But in the end, time proved. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:22.800 With hindsight, we can look back and see that these somebodies were in fact nabodies. 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:35.599 And Gamaliel reckons that the same thing may well end up happening with this little Jesus revolution. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:39.579 Do you see how he thinks it's only going to go one of two ways? 00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:40.719 Right? 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:45.719 It's either going to be like a sparkler that you have in fireworks night. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:46.859 Do you remember those when you were young? 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:49.099 Sparkling fireworks night. 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:52.759 You would write your name, take a couple of cool photos, wave it around. 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:55.019 Looked really impressive for a while. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:58.860 And then after a couple of minutes, the thing completely fizzled out. 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:08.840 Or it will be like a spreading forest fire that you cannot hope to contain. 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:11.100 Remember having that experience? 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:14.880 Alex and I were in Sicily in a place called Agrigento. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:19.199 And it's the only time in my life where I've witnessed a forest fire. 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:20.639 Have you ever seen one of these things? 00:03:20.799 --> 00:03:20.900 Right? 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:21.699 Devastating. 00:03:21.799 --> 00:03:25.960 What started as a kind of just a few trees fizzling away. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:35.079 After only 10 or so minutes, you saw the thing with the wind taking it, engulfing a whole farm. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:39.780 Fire engines coming, one by one lining up, trying to hose water onto the thing. 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:43.259 Realized after a while there was not a chance to be putting this out. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:51.959 So, this Jesus revolution is either going to be sparkler or it's going to be forest fire. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:54.879 Sparkler or forest fire. 00:03:55.679 --> 00:04:00.780 And the reader reading on in this, we're supposed to ask the question, which is it going to be? 00:04:02.959 --> 00:04:04.000 And here's what that means. 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:08.699 That means if you're here today and you follow Jesus of Nazareth, 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:13.120 Gamaliel has just called you a revolutionary. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:15.139 Cool. 00:04:15.519 --> 00:04:17.379 Kind of edgy, isn't it, to be called a revolutionary? 00:04:18.159 --> 00:04:20.980 But that's what he's just labeled you if you follow Jesus of Nazareth. 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:22.279 A revolutionary. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:23.279 And let's be honest. 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:26.480 You live your life as a Christian today. 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:32.060 And it doesn't take you long to realize that you feel like a revolutionary living in our culture, does it? 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:33.039 I mean, I'll just give you... 00:04:33.039 --> 00:04:35.300 Here's a couple of things I noticed this week. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:37.379 Just perception. 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:38.699 Just seeing what's round about. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:43.539 Going up into the Royal Mile this week and there's a big statue of who at the top? 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:45.079 David Hume. 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:46.060 Right? 00:04:46.159 --> 00:04:49.759 Leader of the Scottish Enlightenment back in the day. 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:52.459 Very simply, a man, I'm putting this really simply, 00:04:52.539 --> 00:04:57.480 a man who stood for the fact that science and reason have done away with any need for a belief in God. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:04:58.680 Right? 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:00.779 And there he is, slap bang in the middle of our city. 00:05:00.919 --> 00:05:04.579 You walk past him and you think to yourself, I feel like a revolutionary. 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:05.019 Okay? 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:08.199 One of our local high schools. 00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:10.180 Just over the road there. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:10.779 Big sign. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:11.500 Straight outside. 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:13.259 That says, some people are trans. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:14.719 Get over it. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:16.060 Okay? 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:21.500 So that anybody looking on from our Christian persuasion or from our friends from other faith groups 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:25.060 or our secular friends who might want to ask a question or two, 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:28.919 enter into a respectful and a loving conversation about these things, 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.599 is told in no uncertain terms that that isn't happening. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:33.039 Right? 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:34.620 You feel like a revolutionary, don't you? 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:36.080 Capital letters. 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:37.020 Revolutionary. 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:42.580 But the thing is, I think, that if the book of Acts has taught us anything, 00:05:43.640 --> 00:05:46.820 it's that the people of the world are not the opposition. 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:48.140 Right? 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:49.920 We're not interested in fighting a culture war. 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:52.400 That's not what Christ has called us to do. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:55.120 The people of the world are the mission field. 00:05:55.200 --> 00:05:59.360 We long to see our friends come to know Jesus and have life with him. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:00.620 And to quote Don Carson, 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:02.579 What is evangelism? 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:03.600 What is witnessing? 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:11.079 If it's not one beggar telling another beggar where they can find bread. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.180 Okay? 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:15.560 And that's why I think this passage today, 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:16.980 if you feel like that in your life, 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:18.280 if you feel like a revolutionary, 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:19.639 if you know what that means, 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:22.639 this should greatly strengthen us today. 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:23.459 Right? 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:30.419 It greatly strengthen us and I hope encourage us to keep living and speaking for Jesus wherever he has put us 00:06:30.419 --> 00:06:32.839 and loving the people of our city. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.839 Because what it's telling us, 00:06:35.859 --> 00:06:40.060 and this is backed up with thousands of calendars worth of church history, 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:47.399 what this is telling us is that the gospel is forest fire rather than sparkler. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:48.620 Okay? 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:51.240 Because despite the persecution hotting up, 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:55.680 and we see it today moving from the threatening to the imprisoning stage, 00:06:56.980 --> 00:07:01.199 the unstoppable purposes of God continue to be ramping up. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.819 So let's allow the text then, I think, 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:08.240 to give us three reasons why we should keep witnessing. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:10.979 And by way of kind of an accessible sermon outline, 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:13.319 here is an ABC of the text. 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:13.639 Okay? 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:15.079 ABC. 00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:17.659 Here's your A. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:21.839 God is always adding people. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:23.240 Right? 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:25.240 He's always adding people. 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:26.819 So come with me. 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:28.419 Verse 12 of chapter 5. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:29.759 Okay? 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.500 God is continuing to authenticate his apostles. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:40.599 Rubber stamp them as his guys and their message in front of the eyes of the watching world. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:45.519 Do you see how great signs and wonders are continuing to be done? 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:49.319 And if anything, they're kind of getting more incredible. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:50.680 Do you see it? 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:51.939 The sick are being healed. 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:55.360 Evil spirits are being cast out. 00:07:55.719 --> 00:07:57.500 People are being made whole. 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.920 Remember what we said a few weeks ago? 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:05.720 These wonderful little foretastes of the future as the kingdom of God smashes into the darkness. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:11.380 What I want us to notice, friends, 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:15.100 is how people are responding to what's going on. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:15.440 Right? 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:19.860 And how they're responding differently to the gospel message as it goes forward in word and deed. 00:08:20.980 --> 00:08:21.240 Okay? 00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:23.340 In the words of the late John Stott, 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:30.599 the presence of the living God will always be alarming to some and attractive to others. 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:31.779 Okay? 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:35.159 Alarming to some and attractive to others. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:37.980 That's exactly what we see here. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:39.519 Check out verse 13 and 14. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:40.120 Right? 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:42.100 What is some watching this? 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.779 How do they react? 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:47.039 They find it hugely alarming. 00:08:47.579 --> 00:08:47.939 Do you see? 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:52.659 And despite the fact that they hold the church in high esteem, 00:08:53.079 --> 00:08:58.379 which I think is another little lesson for us there in terms of how the people of the world view us as a community. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:08:59.459 Right? 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:01.079 Hold them in high esteem. 00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:02.519 Despite that, 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:07.279 do you see none of the onlookers dare join this little Jesus of Nazareth group? 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:08.059 Do you see it? 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:15.079 Because I take it that they understood what siding with the Jesus revolutionaries would mean that they'd have to do, 00:09:15.239 --> 00:09:16.299 what they'd have to give up, 00:09:16.619 --> 00:09:19.059 and what it might lead to. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:22.500 I remember I had a friend at uni called Karen. 00:09:22.599 --> 00:09:23.579 I remember going out one night, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:24.639 a few of us, 00:09:25.239 --> 00:09:26.279 talking to her, 00:09:26.359 --> 00:09:28.679 having an opportunity to speak about the things of Christianity. 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:30.719 And this was her phrase always to me. 00:09:31.359 --> 00:09:31.719 Jesus, 00:09:32.619 --> 00:09:33.559 just not yet. 00:09:34.739 --> 00:09:35.739 Just not yet. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:40.580 Because she saw what it would mean for her that she would have to give up, 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:41.460 what she'd have to do, 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:43.220 and so she kept saying that phrase to me, 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:44.879 just not yet. 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:47.399 And I don't know, 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:50.019 but I find those kind of responses incredibly hard. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:52.639 Just long for people to come to know Jesus, 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:53.500 know who he is, 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:54.399 have life in his name. 00:09:55.180 --> 00:09:56.100 Just not yet. 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:02.680 And yet see what else Luke is telling us was happening at the same time. 00:10:02.680 --> 00:10:03.779 Verse 14. 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:06.519 More than ever, 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:09.419 believers were added to the Lord, 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:11.620 both men and women. 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:12.579 So do you see it? 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:13.679 Others are, 00:10:13.819 --> 00:10:15.079 some are finding this alarming, 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:17.419 some are finding this attractive. 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:18.559 And I take it, 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:20.679 that as we live our lives today, 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:21.879 as we witness for Christ, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.319 these two things will be happening 00:10:23.319 --> 00:10:25.459 at exactly the same time. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:27.199 Alarming, 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:29.159 attractive. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:30.879 Let me just say, 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.839 we have no idea how the Lord is at work. 00:10:33.199 --> 00:10:35.019 Our job is just to witness for Christ, 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.719 believe the results to him. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:38.539 We've got no idea how he has worked, 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.500 particularly in this season. 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:40.639 But let me just encourage you with this. 00:10:40.719 --> 00:10:43.519 I was listening to an interview recently with John Stevens. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:46.919 John Stevens is the national director of the FIEC, 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:47.139 right? 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:49.379 Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.439 So churches just like us, 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.100 all up and down the UK. 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:55.539 And he was given just his overview 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:57.139 of kind of what he's seeing happening 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.139 in all these churches, 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:00.299 this network of churches that he's in charge of. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.740 And he's talking about how the fact, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.759 the fact that he has never before in his lifetime 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.159 heard about so many people 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:08.120 joining Christianity Explored courses 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:09.120 and Alpha courses 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.600 and becoming Christians. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:14.800 Friends, the Lord is always adding people. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.720 You know, and it might feel like 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:18.200 sometimes we speak about Jesus, 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:21.480 we feel what it's like for those to be alarmed. 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:24.340 But let's be encouraged that all over the world, 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:27.659 the Lord is always adding people. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.139 He's always adding people. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:34.820 Let's move from the A to the B, okay? 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:37.120 Here's the B that should encourage us this morning 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:37.779 from this text. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:40.699 God is always bigger than the barriers. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:43.699 He's always bigger than the barriers, okay? 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:44.839 Verse 17. 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:46.379 Do you see how the success 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:48.500 that the apostles were having, 00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:51.579 it didn't go unnoticed by the religious leaders? 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.220 Do you see that? 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:54.439 What's their response to it? 00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:57.939 Luke tells us they are jealous. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.199 Sometimes the thing is that 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:01.720 when we see these things crop up in our lives, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.000 these emotions, anger, 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.919 we'll see that in a few weeks' time, jealousy. 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.480 I was going to ask, 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:07.679 what's going on in the heart? 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.699 What is it revealing? 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:10.279 Well, these guys are jealous 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:12.379 because the only thing that they are interested in 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:15.039 is retaining their status and power. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:17.600 And because of that, 00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:18.720 do you see how the apostles 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:21.879 soon find themselves in prison? 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.120 Text makes it clear, 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:24.500 guards are at the door, 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.139 they're locked in, 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:26.779 okay, 00:12:26.839 --> 00:12:28.699 and I take it they're to be released in the morning 00:12:28.699 --> 00:12:31.100 so that they can appear before the religious court. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:33.120 So the religious powers that be here 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.540 are flexing their muscles. 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:36.100 And at this point, 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.980 you'd be tempted to think, 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:37.460 wouldn't you? 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:39.120 It's like playing a PlayStation game 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.860 when you were young, 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:40.920 okay, 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.100 and you get defeated. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.759 And what's those words that comes on the screen? 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:45.240 Game over. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:46.720 Right? 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.879 Is this game over 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.620 for the early church? 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:50.980 Well, remember, 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:52.340 the whole point of this passage 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.379 is that God will not be stopped. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.379 Okay? 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.259 And supernaturally, 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.139 verse 19, 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:59.720 the angel of the Lord appears 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.720 and takes them out 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:03.679 and tells them to go where? 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.899 Back to the temple. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:06.679 Do you see it? 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.240 Back to the temple. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.159 So not anywhere. 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:11.779 It's no coincidence 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:13.799 that these men are told 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:15.740 to keep going back to the temple. 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.700 I think theologically, 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:18.500 let me just say that's significant 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.759 because for a people 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.240 in this day 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.799 for whom the temple represents 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:25.179 God with us. 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:26.699 It is significant 00:13:26.699 --> 00:13:27.919 the message of God 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:29.179 having saved us 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.759 and is now with us 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.379 in a new 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:33.139 and a far more significant way 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:36.000 by faith in the risen Christ. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.279 It's hugely significant 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.159 that it's there 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.240 that it's being proclaimed. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.000 But I love in the text 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.219 how we get the whole scene 00:13:43.219 --> 00:13:44.139 as the religious leaders 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:45.439 try and figure out 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:46.879 what has happened. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:47.899 Do you see how Luke 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.779 helps us see it? 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:50.319 Records the details for us. 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:52.859 They cannot figure out 00:13:52.859 --> 00:13:53.759 how this has happened. 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:54.419 I mean these guys 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:56.299 are like relighting candles 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.219 on a birthday cake. 00:13:57.339 --> 00:13:57.459 Right? 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.299 You ever had those things? 00:13:58.359 --> 00:13:59.599 How annoying are those things? 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:01.399 You just cannot put them out. 00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:03.559 You just cannot put them out. 00:14:04.359 --> 00:14:05.099 These guys are like 00:14:05.099 --> 00:14:06.139 relighting candles. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.120 Again, do you see it? 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.579 God always wins. 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.379 God will have his people 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.359 where he wants his people. 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.279 I remember having the experience 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:16.059 of starting a new job 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:18.319 calling up the IT department 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:18.659 and saying 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.500 can you come and help me 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.679 kind of set up my computer? 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:21.399 Right? 00:14:23.479 --> 00:14:24.339 The person on the phone 00:14:24.339 --> 00:14:25.019 comes back and says 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.679 sure, do you mind 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.959 if I take over your screen? 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.879 You ever had an experience 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:28.359 like this? 00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:29.179 Do you mind 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.219 if I take over your screen? 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:31.299 Never seen this before. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.519 And all of a sudden 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.399 I'm looking at my screen 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.879 and I'm not in control anymore. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:35.979 Right? 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.379 The cursor's moving around 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.979 and files are being moved. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.919 Settings are being adjusted. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.479 Icons are being moved 00:14:42.479 --> 00:14:43.439 to the right places. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.159 You're not in charge 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:46.179 of the screen anymore. 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:46.620 Right? 00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:48.839 And that's exactly 00:14:48.839 --> 00:14:50.059 what God is doing here. 00:14:51.079 --> 00:14:51.519 It's almost like 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.019 he's pressed the override button 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:53.699 and he's declaring 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:54.219 to the world 00:14:54.219 --> 00:14:55.620 no, I am sovereign 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:57.799 and I will have my people 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:59.559 where I want my people. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.679 You think you can do this 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.479 to my apostles? 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.899 I will have them 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.719 where I want my people. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.759 God's declaration to the world 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.579 that he is sovereign. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.580 Okay? 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.520 And they say to the apostles 00:15:14.520 --> 00:15:15.879 verse 28 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:18.280 we told you to stop speaking. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.780 You filled Jerusalem 00:15:21.780 --> 00:15:22.580 with your teaching. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.400 I mean talk about 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:25.540 making an impact 00:15:25.540 --> 00:15:26.160 on a city. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.400 You filled Jerusalem 00:15:28.400 --> 00:15:29.220 with your teaching 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:32.120 and notice the irony 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.340 of what they say next. 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:34.320 And I think the ESV 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.920 probably picks this up 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:36.680 slightly better. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.120 Right? 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:37.879 Quite literally 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.020 you have filled Jerusalem 00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:39.720 with your teaching 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.580 and 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:42.020 you intend 00:15:42.020 --> 00:15:43.680 to bring this man's blood 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.800 on us. 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:46.259 Okay? 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:46.660 Remember we said 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:47.200 a few weeks ago 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.100 Luke's into irony 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.400 you intend to bring 00:15:49.400 --> 00:15:50.759 this man's blood on us. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.720 You can imagine them 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.300 thinking to themselves 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.460 yes that's exactly 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.540 what we're trying to do. 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:56.320 That's exactly 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.100 what we're trying to do. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:57.860 Remember they're speaking 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.639 to a group of people 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:00.120 who are pursuing 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.360 a very different way 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.259 of trying to be right 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.940 with God. 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:04.379 Okay? 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.240 By their own works 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.120 by their own merit 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.720 by being 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.480 seen to be 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.460 living in a 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.780 right way. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.540 You know they always say 00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:12.240 that you can explain 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:12.759 the difference 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.680 between Christianity 00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:14.840 and every other world 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.080 religion and philosophy 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:18.120 in two letters. 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.280 Right? 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.060 Letters N 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:20.940 and E. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.660 Not do 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:24.280 but done. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.060 Right? 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:26.900 Not what we do 00:16:26.900 --> 00:16:28.000 makes us right with God 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.700 but what Jesus 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.280 has 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:30.580 done. 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:31.879 Okay? 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:32.440 It's the only way 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.400 to be right with God. 00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:34.400 We friends, 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:35.420 we need his blood 00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:35.960 on us. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.139 We need the blood 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.580 of God's sacrificial lamb 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.740 shed in our place 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.480 on the cross 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.180 on us 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:41.879 to forgive us 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.600 for our sin 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.680 to be justified 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:44.460 before this 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.400 holy God. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.560 So when they say 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.300 you're intent 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.180 on bringing this man's 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:48.800 blood on us 00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:50.220 they think of themselves 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.160 of course we are. 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.379 Stop speaking. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.220 No chance. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.240 We've got to obey 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.759 God 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.639 rather than 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.800 man. 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:04.079 And let me just say 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.819 that that's what 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.519 we believe 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.419 as Christians 00:17:06.419 --> 00:17:09.180 that God calls us 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.079 to be praying for 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.779 and submitting 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.559 to our government. 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.240 That's why we've done 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.019 things that we've done 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.799 them over the last 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.659 year and a half. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.159 That's why we've been 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.319 praying for our leaders 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.779 consistently 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:20.079 over the last season. 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.180 That's what God 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.980 calls us to do 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.859 but if ever we are 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:24.759 told to stop 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.919 speaking about Christ 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.559 or to stop 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.740 living in the way 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.519 that he has called 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.139 us to live 00:17:30.139 --> 00:17:31.180 then friends 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.740 that is maybe 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.640 where we differ. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.120 Right? 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.840 And where our 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:36.620 primary loyalty 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.799 to King Jesus 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:39.380 kicks in. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.200 What do they say? 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.740 They say we can't 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.920 stop speaking 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.580 about him. 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:46.720 Right? 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.460 We are witnesses 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.820 to these things 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:50.900 that God exalted 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.960 Christ 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.680 and he commands 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.460 people everywhere 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.140 to repent 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.940 and believe. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.539 That is the message 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.340 that the world 00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:59.960 needs to hear 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.100 of God's great love. 00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:01.980 And sending 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.560 his son. 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:03.380 Listen friends 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:03.960 God is always 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.680 bigger than the 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.140 barriers. 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.160 He's always 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.820 bigger than the 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:07.140 barriers. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.580 He's always 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.240 adding people. 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.180 He's always 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:09.779 bigger than the 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.279 barriers and 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.820 here's our 00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:11.259 sea 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:13.539 that God is 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.279 always conforming 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.960 us to Christ. 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:17.460 Okay? 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:17.960 Have a look at 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.620 verse 41 00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:19.120 and I think 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.640 this is probably 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.720 one of the 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.500 biggest impacts 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.080 that this text 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:22.759 made on me 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.440 this week. 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.180 Couldn't get my 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:24.759 head around 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.279 what's going on 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.220 at verse 41. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:26.500 Right? 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:27.759 The religious 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.240 council. 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.340 They're convinced 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.119 Spigamelio's 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:30.539 advice. 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:30.779 Right? 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.159 They think 00:18:31.159 --> 00:18:31.500 no that 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.279 sounds good. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.500 Makes sense. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.679 But even then 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:36.059 do you see 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.699 how it doesn't 00:18:36.699 --> 00:18:37.319 stop them 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.799 giving the 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.699 disciples a 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:40.480 good flogging. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:40.639 Right? 00:18:40.679 --> 00:18:41.039 I take it 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.480 this is the 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.480 39 lashes. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.240 Okay? 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.839 That's what the 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.559 Romans reckoned 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.539 was pretty much 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.259 enough to scare 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.039 a person without 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.679 killing them. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.159 40 was supposed 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.459 to be the one 00:18:50.459 --> 00:18:51.000 that killed them 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.439 so you give 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:52.019 them 39 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.819 you teach them 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.220 a lesson 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.579 but you don't 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.079 kill them. 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:56.960 Okay? 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.439 How did the 00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.419 disciples react 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.039 to that 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.099 flogging? 00:19:00.199 --> 00:19:00.500 Do you see 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:00.919 what he said? 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.740 Then they 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.179 left the 00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:02.759 presence of 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.240 the council 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.339 rejoicing 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.519 that they 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.139 were counted 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:06.799 worthy 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.339 to suffer 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.639 dishonor 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.159 for 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:11.599 the name. 00:19:11.679 --> 00:19:12.720 Now take 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.139 an inhale 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:13.579 of that 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.000 verse. 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:15.939 They what? 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.819 They rejoiced 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.279 at that? 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:19.919 It's not like 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:20.240 they got the 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.740 kicks out of 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.339 casualty or 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:21.679 something like 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.079 that, right? 00:19:22.179 --> 00:19:22.960 They rejoiced 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.220 at that? 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.679 How do you 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.500 explain that? 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:27.660 Well do you 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:27.840 know what? 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.140 It's almost 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.720 as like God 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:30.299 is taking 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.759 the cookie 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.140 cutter, 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.080 the Christ 00:19:33.080 --> 00:19:33.700 cookie cutter 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.100 and he 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.820 slapped it 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:35.039 on the 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.360 dough of 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:35.900 their lives 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:38.740 and their 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.060 lives at 00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:39.519 this point 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.560 are beginning 00:19:40.560 --> 00:19:41.220 to line up 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.980 with Christ's 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.880 beginning to 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.759 resemble heads. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.000 You know 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.320 it reminded 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:46.799 me of the 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.100 you know 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:48.560 this is a 00:19:48.560 --> 00:19:49.039 famous scene 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.560 in The Lion 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.019 King and 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.279 it's Mephasa 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.200 walking ahead 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.480 and he 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.279 plants a 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.779 big paw 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.139 print on 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:54.619 the ground 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.539 and then 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.019 little Simba 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.399 comes on 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:56.859 behind and 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.259 his little 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.720 paw goes 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:58.019 into the 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.500 big paw 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:58.879 and it's 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.740 I think he's 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.039 getting a 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.399 row at the 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:00.740 time but 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.039 it's this 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:02.299 scene where 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.660 it's almost 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.240 as if Simba 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.619 needs to 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:03.980 bring his 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.500 life in 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:04.879 line with 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.440 his dad. 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:05.660 You know 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.079 that scene 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.839 big paw 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.559 little paw? 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.259 It's almost 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.539 what the 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.639 disciples sense 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.420 at this point 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.119 I'd imagine 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:12.440 that their 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.039 lives are 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.779 beginning to 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.599 line up 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.680 with their 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.339 kings. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:17.879 And despite 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.779 the bleeding 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.420 and the 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.099 lacerations 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.579 in this 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.099 moment the 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.119 pattern of 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:22.659 their lives 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.259 is becoming 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:25.299 cross-shaped 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.179 and I think 00:20:26.179 --> 00:20:26.659 this is where 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.219 the text made 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:27.879 an impact on 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.259 me this 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.579 week. 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.759 That this is 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.399 where joy is 00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:32.019 to be found. 00:20:32.219 --> 00:20:32.579 You see? 00:20:33.939 --> 00:20:34.919 This is where joy 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.659 is to be found 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.779 when our lives 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.579 begin to emulate 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.659 more and more 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:41.019 the shape of 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.399 our kings. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.079 Just imagine 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.719 these locals 00:20:43.719 --> 00:20:45.219 leaving Jerusalem 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:47.960 watching these 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.620 men as 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.180 they're leaving 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.039 the Sanhedrin. 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.720 Completely 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.299 baffled, 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:51.940 seeing them 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.259 bleeding. 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.660 Completely 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.100 baffled, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.759 seeing what's 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.180 going on, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.620 the joy 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.200 that's there 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.500 is thinking 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:56.960 how do you 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.960 explain that? 00:20:59.380 --> 00:20:59.779 How do you 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:01.140 explain why 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:01.799 they are filled 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.519 with joy and 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:02.900 yet they're 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.400 covered in 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.059 bruises and 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.259 cuts? 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:04.680 How do you 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.420 explain what's 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.000 going on 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.339 there? 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.360 Sometimes it's 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.339 like when our 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.240 life's friends 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.440 conform to 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:12.920 Christ, 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.160 that is where 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.839 joy is to be 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.200 found. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.000 In knowing 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.480 him, 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.259 in living for 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.700 him, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.000 in witnessing 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.779 for him. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.620 That's where 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.059 joy is to be 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.180 found. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.559 Let me just 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.240 say our 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.960 world is full 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.400 of joy 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.299 pretenders. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:24.920 You want to 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.180 know what 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.579 these are? 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:26.120 Just go into 00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:26.779 W. Smith's 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.039 or something 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.380 like that. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.759 Look what's 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:27.960 on the 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.779 magazine shelf. 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.000 What are 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.519 the magazines 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.360 all about? 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.559 What's the 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:31.940 world trying 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.400 to sell 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.720 us? 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:33.579 What are 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:33.799 they all 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.100 about? 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.799 Your body, 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.400 their all 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.059 about relationships 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.860 and sex, 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.120 their all 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.460 about your 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.039 finances, 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.400 their all 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:38.660 about your 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.319 perfect home, 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:39.640 their all 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.319 about sports. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.019 Things that 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.400 the world 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.039 says will 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.819 give you 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.799 and we 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.160 look at 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.460 this and 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:46.799 we have 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.100 to say 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:47.440 that is 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.600 so 00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:48.539 countercultural 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:48.960 from what 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.299 our world 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.860 is saying. 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.019 This is 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.600 where joy 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.319 is to be 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.799 found. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.299 Let me just 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.940 say following 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.640 Christ will 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.440 always look 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.240 like death 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.079 and it will 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.559 always look 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.299 like foolishness 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.900 to the world 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.360 and yet this 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.200 text is telling 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.240 us this is 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.960 where it is. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.480 This is 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.220 where it is. 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.140 You know it 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.640 probably won't 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.180 mean for us 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.759 I'd imagine 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.299 in our lives 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:09.600 that we will 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:10.500 be flogged 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.039 for following 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.620 Jesus but 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.259 let's remember 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.759 that for 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.839 countless 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.939 millions of 00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.359 people around 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:15.799 the world 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.279 and different 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.799 parts of 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.079 our world 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.539 brothers and 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.980 sisters it 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.480 will mean 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.939 this. 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.319 But friends 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:21.639 are we 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.159 our lives 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:22.740 being shaped 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.339 to Christ 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.679 in a million 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:25.339 little decisions 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.859 that we make 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.480 every day? 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.740 Okay students 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.119 you're thinking 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.759 about the job 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.019 that you're 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.459 going to take 00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:30.959 next you're 00:22:30.959 --> 00:22:31.379 thinking about 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:31.799 what's coming 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.419 after this 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:33.439 is following 00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:34.319 Christ top 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:34.659 of your 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.179 agenda. 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:36.759 Right picking 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.459 a job that 00:22:37.459 --> 00:22:37.859 doesn't mean 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.059 you're going 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.339 to have to 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:38.839 sell your 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.240 soul. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:39.779 Picking a 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.240 job in a 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.779 place where 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.379 you'll thrive 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:41.899 in a local 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.459 church. 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.440 you'll have 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.079 chances to 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.299 speak for 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.759 him. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:46.779 Families what 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:46.980 are we 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.500 teaching our 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.900 kids about 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.799 what success 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.759 looks like? 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:50.880 Right? 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.140 The good in 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.920 their lives is 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.680 not grades. 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.180 The good in 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.640 their lives is 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:55.940 God. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.460 This is where 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.079 joy will be 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.380 found. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:57.680 Are we 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.360 shaping our 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:58.680 lives? 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:58.860 Are we 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.079 making 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.640 decisions 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:01.000 based on 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.100 this truth? 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.660 Retired 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.279 people, do 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.740 people in 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.319 your lives 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.980 know that 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.400 once you 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.240 finish that 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.900 the S 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.960 that's dominating 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.640 your life is 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.640 not sombrero in 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.140 Spain. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:11.579 Right? 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.480 The S in 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.220 your life is 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.000 service to 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.439 the local 00:23:14.439 --> 00:23:15.079 church. 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.379 Friends, if you 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:16.899 live on your 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:18.659 own, do 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.359 people know, do 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.019 they look in and 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.599 they see that 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:20.980 you're not 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.919 defined by your 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:23.179 relationship status? 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.599 You're defined by 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.220 the fact that you 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.339 know the most 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.460 fully human person 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.460 who ever lived. 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.639 Friends, it's our 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:33.939 joy found in 00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:35.000 knowing Christ. 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.619 They rejoiced 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.819 because they 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:42.039 knew him and 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.439 their lives were 00:23:43.439 --> 00:23:44.519 lining up with 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:44.839 his. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.299 We're going to 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.779 see this even 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.359 more in a few 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.279 weeks time as 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.959 the persecution 00:23:47.959 --> 00:23:49.399 hots up even 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.859 more. 00:23:50.979 --> 00:23:52.199 That you look at 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:52.859 a man called 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.719 Stephen and you 00:23:53.719 --> 00:23:54.419 think to yourself, 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.599 he is oozing 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.339 Christ. 00:23:57.199 --> 00:23:58.019 Oozing him. 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.399 Friends, this is 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:01.079 where joy is to be 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.219 found. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.599 The words of 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.219 Matt Chandler, 00:24:02.979 --> 00:24:03.679 brilliant book 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.219 called Take 00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:04.559 Heart. 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:04.979 If you want to 00:24:04.979 --> 00:24:05.419 read it after 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.220 this, there's a 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.600 copy of my 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.480 office, brilliant 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.779 book. 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.259 When Satan says 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.759 he's taken 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.600 everything worth 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.920 having from you, 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:14.180 grace says he 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.200 can never take 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.000 what you most 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.120 need, Jesus 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:17.600 Christ. 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.160 And so day by 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.720 day in the 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.680 temple and from 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.980 house to house, 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.160 right, notice this 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:26.759 is not just a 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.680 public thing, this 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:29.120 is a neighbor's 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.900 thing, and this 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.420 is among the 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.320 believers as well. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.180 What are they 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.420 doing? 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.120 They're preaching 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.019 that Jesus is the 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.460 Messiah. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.099 And so friends, 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:38.720 as we close this 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.240 morning, do you 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.579 see it? 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.099 What is the 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.460 gospel? 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.259 What is this 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.700 message? 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.819 Is it sparkler? 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.599 Is it forest 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:44.980 fire? 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:47.160 Do you see that 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:48.240 it's forest fire? 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.200 And so do you 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.339 see then that the 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.420 advice that Gamaliel 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.099 gives at verse 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:53.440 39 is bang on 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.200 the money, right? 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.619 Whether he 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.359 intended it like 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.200 this or not, he's 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.740 bang on the 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.660 money, but if it 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.900 is of God, you 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:02.079 will not be able to 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.379 overthrow them. 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.760 And then what 00:25:04.760 --> 00:25:05.300 does he say? 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.800 You might actually 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.540 be found to be 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:08.840 what? 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.900 Fighting against 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.300 God. 00:25:12.280 --> 00:25:13.240 So think about 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.880 it, who's the 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:15.400 real revolutionary 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.140 according to 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.640 Gamaliel? 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:18.080 Okay? 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:19.800 Those who are 00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:21.780 trying to fight 00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.660 against God. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.560 Which the proof 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:24.940 of the pudding 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:27.180 shows us is those 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.300 who remain defiant 00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:29.800 in terms of bowing 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:31.300 the knee to King 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.639 Jesus. 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.220 If that's you 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.759 today, friends, 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:34.559 know that you 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.079 are going into 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.740 the boxing ring 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.480 against God, 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.279 right? 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:38.039 You going in 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.859 there is like a 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.779 raging two-year-old 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.440 fancying their 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:42.000 chances against a 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.720 physical peak 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.359 Mike Tyson. 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.319 You will not 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:46.859 hope to fight 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.519 God and win. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.440 But the good 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.960 news of the 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.519 gospel, friends, 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.159 is that the God 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.799 who should be 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.720 rightly fighting us 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.359 because of our 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.220 sin offers us 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.519 what? 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.539 What's the 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.039 opposite of 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.359 fighting? 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.680 Peace. 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.559 He offers us 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:01.180 peace by the 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.940 blood of this 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:03.880 Jesus spilled 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.640 on the cross 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.820 on us. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.600 On us. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.100 Interestingly 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.620 enough, do you 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:08.880 know what I was 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:08.980 saying? 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.380 It was a guy 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.140 named Paul who 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.799 himself was a 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.900 pupil under this 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:13.360 guy, Gamaliel, 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.480 who we're going to 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.920 meet in a few 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.580 weeks' time, who 00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:16.100 was spitting 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:16.519 feathers. 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:16.900 You heard that 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.340 phrase before? 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.080 Spitting feathers 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:18.799 at the church 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.600 because of what 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.360 they stood for 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.820 before encountering 00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:22.720 Jesus and joining 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.039 him. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.620 It was this Paul 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.620 under this Gamaliel 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:26.220 who would later 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.100 write in Ephesians 00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:27.920 about Jesus 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:30.279 that he himself 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.420 is our 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.519 peace. 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.259 He is our 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.680 peace. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.240 Purposes of 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.840 God, so the 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.759 opposition hots 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.080 up. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.259 Friends, know 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.820 that the purposes 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.740 of God continue 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.500 to ramp up. 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.720 Stand up, stand 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.460 up for Jesus. 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.420 Stand in his 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.220 strength alone. 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.960 The arm of flesh 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.900 will fail you. 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.380 You dare not 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.120 trust your own. 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:57.820 Put on the 00:26:57.820 --> 00:26:58.660 gospel armor. 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.580 Each piece put 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:01.480 on with prayer. 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:03.560 Where duty calls 00:27:03.560 --> 00:27:05.300 or danger be 00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:06.980 never wanting 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.240 there. 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.120 Stand up, stand 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.780 up for Jesus. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.360 Friends, that's 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:10.080 the call this week 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:10.759 as we speak and 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.300 live for him in 00:27:11.300 --> 00:27:11.700 our city. 00:27:11.780 --> 00:27:12.220 Let's pray. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.620 So, Heavenly 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.160 Father, we just 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.840 thank you so much, 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:19.560 Lord, for your 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:20.680 precious word. 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.480 And the words of 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.019 Psalm 38, that 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.660 salvation, 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.900 the salvation of 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.640 the righteous is 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.460 from the Lord. 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.000 He is their 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.460 refuge in times 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.940 of trouble. 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:31.560 And so, Lord, I 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.560 pray for us today, 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.280 Lord, as we 00:27:33.280 --> 00:27:34.860 absorb your 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:36.180 word, Lord, that 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.360 your spirit would 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.960 encourage us. 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.440 Father, that he 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.860 would inspire us. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:42.880 And, Father, that 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.460 you would help us 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.380 to be mindful of 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.100 the opportunities 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:46.220 that are ours this 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.480 week. 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.460 Father, we long 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.920 that our lives 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:50.720 would be more 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:52.200 like our kings. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.400 And so, Father, 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.180 thank you for the 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.080 example of the 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:57.080 early church all 00:27:57.080 --> 00:27:57.800 these years ago. 00:27:58.540 --> 00:27:59.280 That we have your 00:27:59.280 --> 00:27:59.759 word in our 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.080 language. 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.040 We can read this 00:28:01.040 --> 00:28:02.840 and see what 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.420 people went 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.800 through and what 00:28:04.800 --> 00:28:05.920 you were doing 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:07.540 in the gospel that 00:28:07.540 --> 00:28:08.220 was bigger than 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.940 the barriers. 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.560 And so, Father, 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.300 we thank you for 00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:10.840 this morning. 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.160 Lord, may this 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.740 encourage our 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.500 hearts, we pray, 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.300 in Jesus' 00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:15.140 worthy name. 00:28:15.540 --> 00:28:15.900 Amen. 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.040 Amen. 00:28:16.040 --> 00:28:16.060 Amen. 00:28:16.060 --> 00:28:16.080 Amen. 00:28:16.080 --> 00:28:16.120 Amen. 00:28:16.120 --> 00:28:16.140 Amen. 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.160 Amen. 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.180 Amen. 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:18.140 Amen. 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.160 Amen. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:20.080 Amen. 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:20.120 Amen. 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:20.140 Amen. 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.160 Amen. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:20.180 Amen. 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.200 Amen. 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.259 Amen. 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.280 Amen. 00:28:20.280 --> 00:28:22.200 Amen. 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:22.220 Amen. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.240 Amen. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.259 Amen. 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:24.200 Amen.