WEBVTT

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 Good morning. Open up your Bibles to Acts chapter 16.

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 So I appreciate your prayers.

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 As most of you know, I have some pretty serious respiratory problems,

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! and I am pretty short of breath this morning for various reasons.

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 So I'm going to obey a really good rule of preaching,

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 which is for the preacher to take comfort in the message that he's about to say.

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 So what I'm about to say from God's Word is even kind of what's encouraging me and sustaining me right now.

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 But I'm also going to disobey another preaching rule, which is read the whole text before you start.

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 But because this is a long text, I'm going to save myself the breath and just sort of walk through it with you.

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 A lot of Reformed pastors are like, no, read the text first.

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 But I'm just going to just walk through it with you, scene by scene, step by step.

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 Because it's a narrative, and because it is a narrative, it's pretty easy to do that.

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 So just join me in a word of prayer together.

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 Father, we gather together this morning only for you.

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 And I pray that if our hearts are divided, thinking about other things,

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 that you would convict us of that and bring us to a right understanding of yourself and the gathering of your people.

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 Just give us eyes to see, ears to hear this morning.

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 And I pray that you would have your way.

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 And Christ would be seen.

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 In his name, amen.

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 So we're in Acts chapter 16.

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 And Nathan did a really good introduction to last week about going,

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 Paul and some other of the apostles going into Europe and kind of landing in Macedonia.

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 So I'm going to try my best not to go over to some of the same ground.

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 But those of you who know me know I can't resist sometimes because there's so much awesome history in all of this.

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 But I just have this picture, you know, like of Paul and Silas and some of the other apostles just sailing over,

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 you know, in a boat, like ready to invade Europe with the gospel, sailing across the Aegean Sea.

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 In the Aegean Sea, you've seen a ton of invasions.

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 The Greek invasion of Troy, the Persian invasion of Greece, the Roman invasion of Carthage.

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 All happened like right there.

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 Now, this is like the greatest of them all.

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 Now, this is Christ sending his people to invade like the pagan land of Europe.

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 I just love it.

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 So it's this idea of our Jesus, the Jesus that we love kind of clashing into the world of Greek mythology and Rome

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 and just ready to take it down.

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 So I love that.

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 Just a picture of him invading Europe, not with natural weapons,

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 but really the weapons of prayer, the gospel, the word of God, sacrificial love is what his weapons are invading this.

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 And why is this a big deal?

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 So I'll tell you, for not all of us in here, but for most of us,

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 I would dare to say that most of us come from a European descent.

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 Most of our ancestors were from Europe in some way or another.

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 Not all.

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 But I want you to see this as grace.

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 Why?

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 You ever stop and ask yourself, why didn't the gospel not go east instead of west?

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 And this means that, like, the people that most of us descend from heard the gospel, our ancestors.

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 And then ever since then, a lot of the time, it's been moving west.

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 It came from Europe to America to South America.

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 Now it's wheeling back around and hitting Asia again.

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 But God and his providence for some reason chose to comport the gospel message through Greco-Roman culture.

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 And at this time, the Roman Empire was in three, arguably four continents at the time, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.

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 And now Paul taking the gospel to Europe.

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 And as Nathan mentioned last week, it kind of started in Philippi, a Roman colony in the heart of Macedonia.

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 And as he said last week, and again, I'll spare you all this, it was Philip of Macedon II, Alexander the Great's father,

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 who the city was named after.

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 And it was very much about as Roman as you can get.

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 In Philippi had an amphitheater, a forum, an acropolis, which is like a fortified hill, an agora, a marketplace.

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 So it was like a very picturesque.

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 They called it the Little Rome.

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 So it looked very much like that.

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 And settled by a lot of soldiers that had been discharged from service after the battle from Octavian or Caesar Augustus against, you know, Anthony and his baby cakes, Cleopatra.

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 After that, like a lot of them, went and lived in Philippi.

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 So there was a lot of strong Roman people in this area.

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 And as he said last week, there probably wasn't enough Jews there to actually even form a synagogue.

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 So that's why we saw them going to the river to pray and to gather.

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 And through his mercy, God saved Lydia and some others that were there with her.

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 And so this is a great setup.

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 So they just kind of stay there and they're kind of continuing their ministry in Philippi.

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 And this is where we'll get into our text.

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 Just join me and look at verse 16.

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 Excuse me.

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 So, sorry.

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 We're going to break this up in like three different scenes, if you would, of a story.

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 But scene one is we're going to see in verse 16 through 24.

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 Scene one is the predicament.

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 There's so many predicaments that we face.

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 So this is the predicament, 16 through 24.

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 It says,

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 And she kept doing this for many days.

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 Paul, having become greatly annoyed, that's my favorite Bible word, by the way,

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 hacked off, perturbed, turned around and said to the spirit, so not the girl, the spirit,

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 and said,

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 I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.

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 And it came out that very hour.

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 So great news, right?

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 I mean, like deliverance.

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 An amazing thing.

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 Nope.

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 Bad news for Paul and Silas.

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 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone,

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 they seized Paul and Silas,

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 dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.

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 And when they had brought them to the magistrates,

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 they said,

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 These men are Jews,

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 and they are disturbing our city.

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 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us Romans,

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 as Romans to accept our practice.

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 The crowd joined in the attack,

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 in attacking them.

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 Excuse me.

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 And the magistrates tore their garments off of them,

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 and gave them orders to be beaten with rods.

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 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them,

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 they threw them into the prison,

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 ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

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 Having received this order,

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 he put them in the inner prison,

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 and fastened their feet in the stocks.

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 So, you have Paul and Silas just sort of going about their daily routine.

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 They're there to love.

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 They're there to serve.

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 They're there to deliver the gospel message in a peaceful manner.

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 They're there with God's direction.

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 God sent them there, if you remember that.

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 He sent them to this area.

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 They're there with His authority,

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 His power.

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 They mean no harm, only good.

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 And they're on their way.

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 You know, they just get up in the morning,

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 on their way over to the river,

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 to spend some time in prayer together.

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 You know, birds chirping, sun shining.

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 You know, a great, great morning to be alive.

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 And on the way, they meet this slave girl,

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 who was possessed by a demon, more likely.

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 And this slave girl,

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 the word for divination here,

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 is the word python.

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 And so, it was a picture of,

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 you ever heard of the, in Greek mythology,

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 the oracle, the Delphic oracle,

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 where a lot of the Greek kings and Greek generals

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 would send their people to find out

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 they were going to have victory or defeat in battle.

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 So, she was from this area.

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 And python really was the name of this dragon

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 or serpent that guarded the Delphi oracle.

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 And, at least in Greek mythology,

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 the god Apollo had come and slain this dragon

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 or slain this snake.

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 And now he spoke through the Delphi oracle.

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 So, it was seen as a,

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 she had a spirit of prophecy.

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 But make no mistake,

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 this is a deep, dark,

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 ancient, pagan, demonic practice

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 that she was involved with.

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 It's this idea of soothsaying,

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 fortune-telling.

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 I want you to know, guys,

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 that stuff's real, okay?

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 It's real, but it's not of the Lord at all.

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 This girl had this deep history.

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 And she was the new age lady ahead of her time.

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 She would have a 1-800 number today.

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 So, you should know, though,

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 if you're curious,

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 God's people have been forbidden

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 to deal with that kind of stuff.

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 Deuteronomy 18, verse 10,

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 1 Samuel 28, 8.

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 Yet, know that she has this real,

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 deep, dark, spiritual connection.

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 And that spirit in her

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 recognizes that these are servants of the light.

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 They weren't going around and saying this.

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 They weren't wearing Christian t-shirts

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 saying we're the apostles and we're here.

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 This spirit recognized who they were.

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 She had this spiritual connection.

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 These men are servants of the Most High God

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 who proclaim to you the way of salvation.

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 Isn't that awesome?

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 That dark, demonic spirit in her saw that

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 and was saying that?

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 She's like,

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 If you think I'm awesome

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 and my spiritual connections are great,

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 don't.

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 These men have the real answer.

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 These men have the way of salvation

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 and they're proclaiming it to you now.

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 So, this wasn't a really quick,

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 short introduction.

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 It says she kept doing this for many days.

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 So, all day Monday, all day Tuesday,

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 all day Wednesday, on and on.

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 And then finally,

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 it says that Paul became greatly annoyed.

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 So, hacked off.

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 He was just like,

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 Yes, we are servants of the Most High God,

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 but please just stop with the announcement.

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 And, kind of turns around

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 and just says to her,

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 Like, come out.

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 Commanded the Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ

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 to come out.

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 So, and she was delivered.

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 So, that's great.

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 I mean, awesome.

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 But at least you would think

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 all these great things are happening.

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 But then, turns around

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 and these slave girl's owners,

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 who've been making money off of her,

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 seek greedy and brutal vengeance

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 against Paul and Silas.

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 So, they were exploiting her.

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 Using her.

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 Isn't it interesting?

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 Stop and think about this.

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 Isn't it interesting throughout

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 the book of Acts particularly,

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 but the Bible in general,

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 that the desire for money,

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 success, profit,

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 always is working against the gospel.

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 You ever notice that?

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 Simon the Magician

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 in chapter 8.

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 Demetrius the Silversmith

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 in chapter 19.

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 Isn't that interesting?

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 This is another example.

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 The gospel is hurting their means

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 of making a lot of money

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 in a sinful manner.

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 So, they seek this vengeance on them.

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 It says they drag them

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 into the marketplace

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 before the rulers

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 and before the magistrates.

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 So, in Roman law,

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 like magistrates are put there

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 to carry out civil authority.

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 They were kind of like

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 the arm of Caesar

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 in the Roman provinces.

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 And there was two usually

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 assigned to each province

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 at this time

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 in the first century A.D.

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 And they,

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 these men lied.

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 They lied.

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 They bore false witness

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 against Paul and Silas.

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 They said,

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 these Jews

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 are disturbing us.

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 That word disturbing

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 means to cause an uproar,

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 like to cause exceedingly

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 great trouble, chaos.

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 Is that what they're really doing?

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 Not at all.

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 And they're advocating customs,

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 not lawful for us Romans

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 to accept.

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 So, understand that

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 in some degree,

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 Jews had kind of

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 already gained a reputation,

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 at least in the Roman Empire,

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 for people who don't want

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 to submit to the law of Caesar,

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 the rule of Caesar.

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 Not long after this,

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 Emperor Claudius,

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 he expelled all the Jews

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 from Rome.

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 That's in history books.

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 It's actually interesting

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 that soon in Acts,

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 like you actually see

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 that Luke says

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 that same thing.

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 Priscilla and Aquila

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 were kicked out of Rome

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 because they were Jews.

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 And,

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 basically saying,

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 these punks

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 aren't from around here.

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 They're bringing trouble,

00:14:52.020 --> 00:14:52.720
 this nonsense,

00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:53.580
 from Jerusalem.

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.040
 And they're saying

00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:55.660
 all this stuff

00:14:55.660 --> 00:14:56.340
 against Rome.

00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:57.640
 And really,

00:14:57.760 --> 00:14:58.720
 that's not what they're doing

00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.920
 at all.

00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:02.120
 So then this unruly crowd

00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.120
 kind of joins in,

00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:03.640
 like, yeah,

00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.940
 like they're here

00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:05.900
 disturbing us.

00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.440
 And they kind of

00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.820
 join in the attack.

00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.140
 You ever just try

00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.039
 to go the extra mile

00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.799
 to love somebody

00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.120
 and to, like,

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:14.059
 really sacrifice yourself

00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.600
 for their well-being,

00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:16.980
 then all of a sudden

00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.340
 they're, like,

00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.259
 coming at you with knives

00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.899
 and hating you?

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.159
 So it doesn't stop there.

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.159
 This fake trial

00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.100
 results in severe punishment.

00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:27.740
 So,

00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.319
 you ever thought about this?

00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.039
 I think about

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.199
 Christ

00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:32.240
 and some of the other

00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.699
 apostles that we see

00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:35.939
 going through this kind of,

00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.100
 we tend to overlook this.

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:40.159
 Do you know how intimidating

00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.200
 like an angry crowd

00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.820
 can be when they're

00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:42.420
 coming at you,

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.879
 stripping you down,

00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.779
 yelling at you,

00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:45.639
 beating you down?

00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:47.519
 It's a scary,

00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.420
 traumatizing thing.

00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.139
 That's,

00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:51.960
 don't overlook that.

00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.000
 So they had that happen.

00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.279
 But then they were

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.340
 beaten with rods.

00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.139
 What is that about?

00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.279
 So throughout

00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.259
 the Roman Empire,

00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.399
 magistrates

00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.220
 were followed around

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.279
 by these little attendants

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.080
 who carried these

00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:07.139
 bundles of sticks.

00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.540
 And

00:16:08.540 --> 00:16:10.120
 to kind of

00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.980
 serve as a

00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.480
 picture of their

00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.659
 authority from Rome.

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.779
 And they would

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.600
 beat people

00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.659
 with them.

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.279
 So they were,

00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:20.460
 they took the wooden rods

00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:22.279
 and inflicted

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:22.740
 not just

00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.580
 a couple,

00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.580
 a brief spanking,

00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.080
 but like

00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.200
 severe blows.

00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.420
 Inflicted many blows

00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.820
 upon Paul and Silas.

00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.620
 So it couldn't get worse,

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:31.899
 right?

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.160
 But it did.

00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.139
 After that,

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.800
 they threw them

00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:36.160
 into the prison

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.959
 and ordered the jailer

00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.939
 to keep them safely.

00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.539
 Put them in the

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.139
 inner prison,

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.860
 so not just

00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.799
 the nice,

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.659
 you know,

00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.179
 prison with bed

00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.620
 and breakfast.

00:16:45.719 --> 00:16:46.039
 They're like the

00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.699
 inner dungeon,

00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.379
 the dark,

00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.419
 cold,

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:48.980
 wet,

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.480
 damp place

00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.419
 where the rats are.

00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:53.939
 and fastened

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.360
 them in the

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.799
 stocks.

00:16:55.479 --> 00:16:56.000
 So very

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.639
 uncomfortable,

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.240
 painful.

00:16:59.319 --> 00:16:59.839
 So wow,

00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.860
 like some swift,

00:17:01.599 --> 00:17:02.039
 harsh

00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.439
 justice,

00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.639
 but a

00:17:04.639 --> 00:17:05.599
 travesty of

00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.019
 justice,

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.700
 injustice.

00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.200
 So,

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.619
 think about this

00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.200
 later on,

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.619
 like Paul says

00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.500
 in 1 Thessalonians,

00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.559
 we were shamefully

00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.039
 treated

00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.379
 in Philippi.

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:17.440
 So imagine

00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.120
 just sitting there

00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.760
 in the stocks

00:17:18.760 --> 00:17:20.120
 and in the cold,

00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.000
 the dark dungeon,

00:17:21.840 --> 00:17:22.480
 just kind of

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:22.900
 the shock

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.820
 wearing off a little bit

00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.220
 and just sort of

00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.820
 sitting there

00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:26.380
 dealing with that.

00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.460
 So in their place

00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.000
 right now,

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.400
 what would you be

00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:30.740
 thinking?

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.900
 What would be

00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.940
 crossing your mind?

00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.420
 How are you

00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.220
 processing that

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.760
 sitting there

00:17:36.760 --> 00:17:37.340
 in that dungeon?

00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:39.920
 Many of us

00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.880
 will be saying,

00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.400
 why,

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.960
 oh Lord?

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.019
 God,

00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.299
 can we just

00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.100
 kind of step back

00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:47.940
 and review the day?

00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.640
 Like we came here

00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.779
 with the best

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.279
 of intentions

00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.200
 to love people,

00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.620
 to serve them,

00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.660
 to give them the gospel,

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:56.019
 to lay our lives down.

00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.440
 You know,

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:59.140
 you used us

00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:00.480
 to bring salvation

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.000
 to Lydia

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.779
 and her household.

00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.180
 You used us

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.660
 to deliver

00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.480
 to a slave girl

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.180
 from demonic oppression.

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.400
 Now we don't even

00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:09.940
 have anything

00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.460
 but the clothes

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.180
 on our backs.

00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:12.519
 And now that's

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:12.900
 been taken

00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.799
 even away from us.

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.779
 In case you

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.539
 haven't noticed,

00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.980
 things down here

00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.299
 have gotten

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.579
 really,

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.240
 really rough.

00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:19.279
 So where are you?

00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:21.000
 What is going on?

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.579
 We are here

00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.519
 on your behalf.

00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.380
 What is happening?

00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.720
 We've been falsely

00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.059
 accused.

00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:27.759
 We've been arrested.

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.420
 We've been beaten

00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.160
 with our eyes.

00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.720
 Thrown into the dungeon.

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.740
 Now we're cold

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.220
 and naked

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.819
 and lonely.

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.700
 Why is this happening?

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.700
 Ever been there?

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:39.680
 So suddenly,

00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.759
 this great God

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.720
 that we sing about

00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:44.400
 and that we proclaim

00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:46.960
 isn't so great anymore.

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:49.279
 We've shrunk him down

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:53.059
 to almost a little God

00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.860
 and we put him

00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.720
 across the table

00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.900
 and we say,

00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.400
 you owe me

00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.059
 an explanation

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:59.200
 and this isn't right

00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.140
 and you need to fix it.

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:02.400
 But arrogantly,

00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:04.080
 we seek to bring him

00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.020
 down on our level.

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.160
 Not many places

00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.880
 to turn today,

00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.780
 but keep your hand

00:19:08.780 --> 00:19:09.680
 there in Acts.

00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:12.200
 Turn to Psalm 44.

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.980
 Psalm 44.

00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:20.819
 And so I want you

00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.299
 to know

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.799
 that

00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.599
 when you're going

00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.079
 through

00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.740
 suffering,

00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.460
 when you're going

00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:27.940
 through

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:29.400
 difficult times

00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:29.860
 that you don't

00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:30.480
 understand,

00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.380
 I want you to know

00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.160
 it's okay

00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.900
 to ask God

00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.019
 why.

00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:36.940
 Okay?

00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:40.000
 But also be aware

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.220
 that

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:43.039
 it's really

00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.640
 the spirit

00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.339
 or the manner

00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.360
 in which we ask him

00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:45.680
 why.

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:46.839
 Alright?

00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.420
 So,

00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.720
 this kind of stuff

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.299
 is all over

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.759
 in the scripture,

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.079
 particularly in the Psalms.

00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.059
 But,

00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.700
 even in the Psalms,

00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.319
 you see

00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.519
 this

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:57.640
 unshakable confidence

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.180
 that even though

00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.019
 I don't understand

00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.740
 and I'm asking you

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.160
 why,

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.099
 I recognize

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.599
 that you are still there

00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:03.900
 even though

00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.539
 I can't feel you there.

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.299
 And I'm putting

00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.220
 my trust in you.

00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.519
 So it's a humble asking,

00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.079
 not an arrogant,

00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:12.819
 angry,

00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:13.799
 bitter asking.

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.900
 So Psalm 44.

00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:18.559
 Look down at verse

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:20.140
 14

00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:22.039
 and just picture

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.900
 Paul and Silas.

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.259
 Picture

00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.460
 your life.

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.940
 So you have made us

00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.740
 a byword

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.079
 among the nations,

00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.220
 a laughing stock

00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.660
 among the peoples.

00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.460
 all the day long

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.300
 and shame

00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:36.440
 and shame

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.660
 has covered my face

00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.960
 at the sound

00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.740
 of the taunter

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.580
 and the reviler,

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.940
 at the sight

00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.640
 of the enemy

00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.500
 and the avenger.

00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.859
 all of this

00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.019
 has come upon us

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.480
 though we

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.380
 have not forgotten

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:48.779
 you

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.640
 and we have not

00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.859
 been false

00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.720
 to your covenant.

00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.059
 Our hearts

00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.779
 have not turned

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.200
 back

00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.380
 nor have our

00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.140
 steps departed

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.920
 from your way.

00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.559
 So they're saying

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.000
 like we've

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.039
 trusted you,

00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.839
 we've followed you,

00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.559
 we're here,

00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.400
 we haven't left

00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.759
 yet you have

00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.600
 broken us

00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:07.380
 in the place

00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:08.100
 of jackals

00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:09.040
 and covered us

00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:10.240
 with the shadow

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.900
 of death.

00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.920
 Jump ahead

00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.860
 to verse 23.

00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:15.419
 Awake.

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.159
 Why are you

00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:17.799
 sleeping,

00:21:17.979 --> 00:21:18.419
 O Lord?

00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.379
 Browse yourself.

00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:21.979
 Do not reject

00:21:21.979 --> 00:21:22.579
 us forever.

00:21:23.479 --> 00:21:24.059
 Why do you

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:24.939
 hide your face?

00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.319
 Why do you

00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:26.899
 forget our

00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:27.379
 affliction

00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:27.979
 and oppression?

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:29.959
 For our soul

00:21:29.959 --> 00:21:30.699
 is bowed down

00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.339
 in the dust.

00:21:31.959 --> 00:21:32.500
 Our belly

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.759
 clings to the ground.

00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:35.059
 So here it is.

00:21:35.219 --> 00:21:35.899
 Rise up,

00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.479
 come to our help,

00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.379
 redeem us

00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.399
 for the sake

00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.059
 of your

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.179
 steadfast love.

00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:44.400
 So even though

00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.240
 they don't understand,

00:21:45.340 --> 00:21:46.039
 they're asking why,

00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:46.700
 at the very end

00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.180
 they say,

00:21:47.820 --> 00:21:48.480
 redeem us

00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.180
 for the sake

00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.580
 of your

00:21:49.580 --> 00:21:50.500
 steadfast love.

00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:51.880
 Rise up

00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.220
 and come

00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.900
 and help us.

00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:54.480
 So,

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.120
 we've all been there,

00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:58.019
 some more than others,

00:21:58.100 --> 00:21:58.700
 and you will

00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.380
 before you breathe

00:21:59.380 --> 00:21:59.900
 your last.

00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.440
 You'll ask why.

00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.580
 So,

00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.500
 this leads

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.460
 to the second scene,

00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:06.720
 number two,

00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.440
 scene two,

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.200
 the deliverance.

00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.799
 Back in Acts,

00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.940
 back in Acts 16.

00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.160
 You see this

00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.200
 in verse 25

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.740
 through 34.

00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.240
 So,

00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.060
 about midnight,

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.400
 Paul and Silas

00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.060
 were praying,

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.480
 and he's like,

00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.640
 yeah,

00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:25.380
 I'll be praying too,

00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:25.779
 like God,

00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:26.500
 get me out of this,

00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:26.900
 here's how you're

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.480
 going to fix it.

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.299
 They were praying

00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:33.180
 and singing hymns

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.740
 to God,

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.240
 and the prisoners

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.080
 were listening

00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.580
 to them,

00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.980
 and suddenly

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.860
 there was a great

00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.360
 earthquake.

00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:39.799
 Wow,

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.560
 amazing timing.

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.360
 So,

00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.000
 the foundation

00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.720
 of the prisons

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.380
 were shaken,

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.680
 and immediately

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.519
 all the doors

00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.039
 were opened,

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:48.019
 and everyone's bonds

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.940
 were unfastened.

00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.440
 And when the jailer

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.240
 woke and saw

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.080
 the prison doors

00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:52.640
 were open,

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.360
 he drew his sword

00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.039
 and was about

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.440
 to kill himself,

00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:58.039
 supposing that

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.539
 the prisoners

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.320
 had escaped.

00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.080
 Sorry.

00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:10.980
 But Paul cried

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.819
 with a loud voice,

00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:12.539
 do not harm

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.000
 yourself,

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.460
 for we are all

00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.799
 here.

00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.639
 And the jailer

00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.539
 called for lights

00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:19.000
 and rushed in

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.599
 with trembling

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.639
 and with fear.

00:23:21.199 --> 00:23:22.059
 He fell down

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.819
 before Paul

00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:24.319
 and Silas.

00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:26.240
 Then he brought

00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.699
 them out

00:23:26.699 --> 00:23:27.139
 and said,

00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:27.799
 sirs,

00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:29.519
 what must I do

00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.339
 to be saved?

00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:32.279
 And they said,

00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:34.059
 believe in the

00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.679
 Lord Jesus

00:23:34.679 --> 00:23:36.459
 and you shall

00:23:36.459 --> 00:23:37.139
 be saved,

00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:39.099
 you and your

00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.619
 household.

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.559
 And they spoke

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.279
 the word of the

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.919
 Lord to him

00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:44.039
 and to all

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.419
 who were in

00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:45.039
 his house.

00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.179
 And he took

00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:46.839
 them in the same

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.639
 hour that night

00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.059
 and washed

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.759
 their wombs,

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:49.839
 and he was

00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.959
 baptized at once,

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.439
 he and his

00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:52.799
 family.

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.720
 Then he brought

00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.319
 them up into

00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.879
 the house

00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:57.139
 and set food

00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:57.819
 before them,

00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.500
 and he rejoiced

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.639
 with his

00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:01.619
 entire household

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.539
 that he

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.279
 believed in

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.619
 God.

00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.839
 So deliverance,

00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:10.119
 double meaning

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.960
 deliverance,

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.960
 not just Paul

00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.579
 and Silas,

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.680
 physical

00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.399
 deliverance,

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.680
 but this

00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.619
 man's and his

00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.559
 family's deliverance

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.799
 from the

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.599
 slavery and

00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.240
 death of sin.

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:23.160
 So they

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.859
 praised him

00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.200
 in their

00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.599
 pain,

00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:25.819
 right?

00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.140
 There's no

00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.680
 guarantee they

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:27.920
 were going to

00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.380
 get out of

00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.559
 there.

00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.059
 They pretty

00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.539
 much set

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:29.960
 themselves

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.400
 ready to

00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:30.700
 die.

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.079
 They just

00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.140
 went through

00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.579
 all that

00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.059
 oppressive

00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.740
 stuff,

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.680
 and then about

00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.120
 midnight,

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.019
 so I almost

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.339
 just don't

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.559
 want to

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.099
 overlook that.

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.519
 Think about

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.559
 how Luke

00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:40.839
 could be

00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.420
 saying about

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:41.819
 midnight,

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.160
 you know,

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.740
 that dark

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.900
 hour when

00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.380
 the adrenaline

00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.799
 is worn

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.220
 off and

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.579
 you're just

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.160
 sitting there

00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.660
 dealing with

00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.240
 reality,

00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.599
 you're thinking

00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.220
 over just what

00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.640
 happened.

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.859
 praying,

00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.339
 probably

00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:54.799
 getting me

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.120
 out of

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.339
 this,

00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:55.680
 but no,

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.000
 they were

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.200
 praying and

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.120
 singing hymns

00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:59.240
 to God,

00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.880
 right?

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.240
 Amid their

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.740
 suffering,

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.839
 our brothers,

00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.099
 Paul and

00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:05.539
 Silas,

00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.339
 experienced this

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:06.900
 overwhelming

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.839
 presence of

00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.799
 the Holy

00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.380
 Spirit in

00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.099
 their lives

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.400
 with this

00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.140
 great joy

00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.420
 that's

00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.180
 inexpressible.

00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.400
 Remember when

00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:15.779
 Paul was

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.359
 writing to the

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.039
 Philippians many

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.620
 years later?

00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.119
 Peter, I

00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.539
 wonder if

00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:19.819
 he even

00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.439
 thought about

00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:22.459
 this experience

00:25:22.459 --> 00:25:23.139
 as he wrote

00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:23.559
 to them.

00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:24.679
 Can you just

00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:24.979
 hear him

00:25:24.979 --> 00:25:25.319
 praying?

00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.000
 It's been a

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.559
 painful day,

00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:28.239
 Lord, but we

00:25:28.239 --> 00:25:30.099
 rejoice in

00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:31.500
 you, O

00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:31.519
!

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:33.119
 Lord, because

00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.639
 you are not

00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.279
 far, you are

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.979
 near, so we

00:25:35.979 --> 00:25:36.459
 will not be

00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:37.079
 anxious for

00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.559
 anything, but

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.059
 in everything.

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.619
 We will turn to

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.259
 you in prayer

00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.339
 and rejoice at

00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.119
 all times and be

00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:43.519
 thankful.

00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.740
 And now your

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.359
 peace is

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.720
 flooding our

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.160
 souls.

00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.160
 Sound familiar?

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.500
 Philippians 4,

00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.319
 4 through 7.

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.920
 So, I

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.440
 believe that

00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:53.980
 happened and

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.240
 that just

00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.980
 kind of erupted

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.879
 into praise.

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.539
 It erupted

00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.799
 into glory to

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.200
 God.

00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.720
 And then this

00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.900
 supernatural

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:04.220
 earthquake

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:07.259
 happened and

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.819
 their chains

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.279
 fell off.

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.200
 So, quick

00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.859
 break and run

00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.359
 for it, right?

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.660
 Nope.

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:12.039
 They stayed

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.440
 there.

00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.700
 and they

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.460
 called this

00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.259
 Macedonian

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.920
 jailer in who

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.400
 was about to

00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:17.960
 kill himself

00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.500
 because his

00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.100
 punishment would

00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.340
 have been

00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.660
 death.

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:19.880
 So, he

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.380
 thinks, I'm

00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.519
 in trouble

00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.160
 either way.

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.320
 I need to

00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.880
 go ahead and

00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:25.580
 take my life

00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.000
 which had been

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.480
 seen as an

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.059
 honorable thing

00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.200
 to do in

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.779
 that culture

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.240
 instead of

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.660
 bearing the

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.000
 shame.

00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.200
 And they

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.860
 stop him and

00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.220
 say, wait,

00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:32.640
 stop.

00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.000
 We're all

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.299
 here.

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.860
 Don't harm

00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.279
 yourself.

00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.539
 So, this

00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.500
 proud jailer

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.720
 came in with

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.299
 just fear and

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.360
 trembling, of

00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:40.980
 course, right?

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.200
 And he took

00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:44.480
 them out to

00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:46.440
 his house and

00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:46.860
 then he

00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:47.420
 asked the

00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:49.279
 question, sir,

00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.120
 what must I

00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:51.420
 do to be

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:51.779
 saved?

00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:54.539
 Not, well,

00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.480
 become a member

00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.519
 of the church,

00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:57.039
 be baptized,

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.779
 and sign a

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.140
 card, and

00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.620
 you're good for

00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.180
 the rest of

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.500
 eternity, but

00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.700
 and go get

00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.940
 busy doing

00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.559
 things for

00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.460
 Jesus, but

00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.819
 believe in the

00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.559
 Lord Jesus and

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.220
 you'll be saved.

00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.539
 God's

00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.059
 strong,

00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.680
 overwhelming,

00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.500
 powerful belief

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.799
 and faith that

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.819
 changes how you

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.640
 live, not just

00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.839
 an acknowledgement,

00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:19.220
 but a deep

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.900
 belief in your

00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.339
 heart that

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.220
 changes how you

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.640
 live.

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.559
 And so, he

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.279
 believed, he

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.860
 gave his life to

00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.279
 Christ.

00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.440
 The jailer

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.019
 washed their

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.539
 wombs.

00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.620
 One of the

00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.200
 early church

00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.019
 fathers said,

00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:36.120
 the jailer

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.419
 washed and

00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:38.139
 was washed.

00:27:38.959 --> 00:27:39.739
 He washed

00:27:39.739 --> 00:27:40.159
 them from

00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:40.839
 their stripes

00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.119
 and was

00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.000
 himself washed

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.399
 from his

00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:43.719
 sins.

00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.359
 The whole

00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.739
 family ended

00:27:46.739 --> 00:27:47.219
 up believing

00:27:47.219 --> 00:27:47.819
 in the gospel

00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.079
 and they

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.699
 rejoiced.

00:27:48.979 --> 00:27:50.099
 This really

00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.439
 is a cool

00:27:51.439 --> 00:27:52.000
 word that's

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.559
 actually not

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:54.039
 used in other

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.679
 Greek literature

00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.319
 at all this

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.619
 time.

00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.359
 It's not

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:56.719
 mentioned

00:27:56.719 --> 00:27:57.079
 anywhere.

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.500
 So it's

00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.599
 this idea

00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.279
 of deep

00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:01.079
 spiritual joy.

00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.279
 They

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.000
 rejoiced.

00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.319
 Wow.

00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.539
 was then

00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:07.039
 scene three.

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.879
 Number three,

00:28:09.939 --> 00:28:10.619
 the outcome,

00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:12.339
 verse 35

00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:14.099
 through 40,

00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.539
 the rest of

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.059
 our story.

00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:17.519
 But when it

00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:17.899
 was day,

00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.679
 the magistrates

00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:19.139
 sent the

00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:19.679
 police,

00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.299
 that's an

00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:20.899
 American word,

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.639
 sent the

00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.119
 police,

00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.879
 the popo,

00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:27.159
 let those

00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:27.879
 men go.

00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.000
 And the

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.759
 jailer reported

00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.659
 these words to

00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.419
 Paul saying,

00:28:32.179 --> 00:28:33.000
 the magistrates

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.700
 have sent to

00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.299
 let you go.

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.319
 So they

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.679
 actually went

00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.299
 back to the

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.559
 prison,

00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:36.819
 right?

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:37.759
 They sent to

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.259
 let you go.

00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:38.619
 Therefore,

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.619
 come out now

00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.139
 and go in

00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.480
 peace.

00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.000
 But Paul

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.379
 said to

00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:42.639
 them,

00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.839
 they have

00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.500
 beaten us

00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.079
 publicly,

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.579
 uncondemned,

00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.740
 men who are

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.899
 Roman citizens

00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.859
 and have

00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.359
 thrown us

00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:50.720
 into the

00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.099
 prison.

00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.579
 And now

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:54.700
 do they

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.159
 throw us

00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.799
 out secretly?

00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:56.980
 No.

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.319
 Let them

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.079
 come themselves

00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.720
 and take us

00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.000
 out.

00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:00.859
 And the

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.679
 police reported

00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.319
 these words

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.599
 to the

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.159
 magistrate.

00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.440
 And they

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.100
 were afraid.

00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:05.700
 Yeah.

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.740
 When they

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.200
 heard that

00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.420
 they were

00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.300
 Roman citizens,

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.480
 so they

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:09.920
 came and

00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.759
 apologized to

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.840
 them and

00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.279
 took them

00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:12.779
 out and

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.180
 asked them

00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.600
 to leave

00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:14.040
 the city.

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.040
 So they

00:29:15.040 --> 00:29:15.519
 went out

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.820
 of the

00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:16.160
 prison,

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.279
 visited

00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:17.720
 Lydia,

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.200
 and when

00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.500
 they had

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.900
 seen the

00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.299
 brothers,

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.059
 they were

00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.620
 encouraged.

00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.160
 They

00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.579
 encouraged

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.059
 them and

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.200
 then

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.559
 departed.

00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:28.940
 So the

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.700
 magistrates

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.460
 had a chance

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:30.819
 to kind of

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.360
 reflect on

00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.860
 what happened

00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.900
 and they

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:34.700
 were in

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.059
 serious

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.400
 trouble.

00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.600
 So they

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.279
 secretly

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.680
 ordered the

00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.680
 release of

00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.740
 Paul and

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.220
 Silas.

00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:45.400
 and why

00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:46.680
 Paul responded

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.120
 this way,

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.339
 we don't

00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.220
 exactly know.

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.839
 Maybe they

00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.200
 thought,

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.339
 the magistrates

00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.539
 thought,

00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.039
 they've

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.299
 suffered

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.660
 enough,

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.019
 let's just

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.319
 let them

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.640
 go.

00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:54.480
 But it

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.000
 seems like

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.339
 they were

00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.860
 scared when

00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.240
 they found

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.180
 out they

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.519
 were Roman

00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:58.980
 citizens.

00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.039
 And that

00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.799
 terrified them.

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.460
 So they

00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:02.700
 were just

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.120
 like, hey,

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.460
 just tell

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:03.799
 them to

00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.120
 go.

00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.100
 Tell

00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:06.600
 them no

00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:06.860
 hard

00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.500
 feelings.

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:09.579
 keep

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:09.920
 this on

00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.319
 the down

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:10.680
 low.

00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.079
 Kind of

00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.339
 go out

00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:12.680
 the back

00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:12.900
 door,

00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.440
 please.

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.319
 We're

00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.519
 cool,

00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:14.839
 right?

00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.500
 Just that.

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.640
 But Paul

00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.400
 says, no.

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.880
 Let them

00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.119
 come

00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.740
 themselves

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.339
 and walk

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.859
 us out.

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.339
 And I

00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:22.700
 want to

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.839
 point this

00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:23.980
 out.

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.259
 I don't

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.539
 think this

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:24.960
 was because

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.920
 Paul was

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.799
 angry and

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.880
 seeking

00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.640
 vengeance on

00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:28.920
 them.

00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.519
 I think

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:30.920
 he was

00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.160
 really

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.619
 worried

00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.160
 about how

00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.779
 the church

00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.759
 and

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.259
 believers

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:34.559
 would be

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.000
 perceived

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.380
 in the

00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:35.579
 Roman

00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:35.980
 world.

00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.220
 He

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.619
 wanted to

00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:36.799
 make

00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.140
 sure

00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.480
 that.

00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.160
 They

00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.280
 were

00:30:38.280 --> 00:30:38.640
 seen as

00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:38.820
 good

00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:39.340
 citizens,

00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.640
 as

00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.240
 people

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.000
 submissive

00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.860
 to the

00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.400
 authorities,

00:30:42.540 --> 00:30:42.780
 not

00:30:42.780 --> 00:30:44.160
 troublemakers.

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:45.700
 And so

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.040
 he was

00:30:46.040 --> 00:30:47.220
 like, no,

00:30:47.300 --> 00:30:47.600
 you tell

00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:47.880
 them to

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.140
 come and

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.580
 walk us

00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.820
 out so

00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:50.180
 that everyone

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.740
 will know

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.080
 that we

00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:51.600
 were not

00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:52.920
 guilty of

00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.340
 the crimes

00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:53.520
 that we

00:30:53.520 --> 00:30:54.000
 were accused

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.340
 of.

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.620
 But Roman

00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.300
 law could

00:30:56.300 --> 00:30:56.740
 have permitted

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.340
 Paul to

00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:57.740
 really

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.080
 seriously

00:30:59.080 --> 00:30:59.560
 bring down

00:30:59.560 --> 00:31:00.100
 the system

00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:01.220
 on these

00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.560
 men.

00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:03.000
 Law during

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.400
 the first

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.220
 century protected

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.540
 them from

00:31:04.540 --> 00:31:05.000
 punishment,

00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:05.840
 from

00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.380
 execution,

00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:06.860
 or even

00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:08.000
 torture without

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.460
 trial.

00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:09.660
 So they

00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.060
 had even

00:31:10.060 --> 00:31:10.500
 the right

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:10.980
 to appeal

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.280
 to a

00:31:11.280 --> 00:31:11.920
 higher court

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:13.160
 in Rome

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.660
 itself,

00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:14.940
 which he

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.340
 does do

00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:15.920
 later on.

00:31:16.040 --> 00:31:16.400
 Paul says

00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:16.580
 that he

00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:17.100
 was born

00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:17.740
 a citizen,

00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:18.880
 right?

00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.360
 So he

00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:20.760
 carried this

00:31:20.760 --> 00:31:20.960
 with him.

00:31:21.020 --> 00:31:21.380
 He wasn't

00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:21.900
 just a Jew,

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.240
 but he was

00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.580
 a Roman

00:31:22.580 --> 00:31:23.000
 citizen.

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:24.860
 So though

00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:26.380
 many believers,

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:26.880
 right,

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.540
 they didn't

00:31:27.540 --> 00:31:28.060
 want them to be,

00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.000
 many Jews were

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.500
 considered as

00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.040
 troublemakers,

00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.140
 he didn't want

00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.700
 that stench

00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.340
 kind of carrying

00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:32.380
!

00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:33.560
 on to the

00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:34.180
 believers in

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.660
 the empire.

00:31:35.560 --> 00:31:36.880
 So that's

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.520
 why I really

00:31:37.520 --> 00:31:38.040
 think that he

00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.640
 decided to

00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.740
 just kind of

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.360
 let it go,

00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.860
 but not let

00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.160
 it go.

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.640
 So exercise

00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.220
 your rights

00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.860
 as citizens

00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:46.540
 in America

00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:47.960
 underneath the

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.380
 kingdom of

00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:48.680
 God,

00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:49.780
 underneath

00:31:49.780 --> 00:31:50.500
 mercy.

00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:52.500
 Don't just

00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:52.660
 say,

00:31:52.800 --> 00:31:52.800


00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:53.040
 it's my

00:31:53.040 --> 00:31:53.400
 rights,

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:53.720
 I'm going

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.000
 to do it

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.300
 anyway.

00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:56.360
 Think about

00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.200
 God's

00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.560
 purposes.

00:31:58.600 --> 00:31:59.020
 And then we

00:31:59.020 --> 00:31:59.600
 see the

00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.059
 church was

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.480
 strengthened,

00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:01.480
 right?

00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:02.899
 Of course.

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:03.939
 What a heck

00:32:03.939 --> 00:32:04.339
 of a story

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:04.599
 that would

00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:04.879
 have been.

00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.379
 We're like

00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:06.319
 chilling at

00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.000
 Lydia's house

00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.339
 and Paul

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.819
 and Silas

00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.079
 come,

00:32:09.179 --> 00:32:09.399
 you know,

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.699
 really looking

00:32:10.699 --> 00:32:11.119
 rough,

00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:13.779
 and they

00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.539
 encouraged the

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:14.879
 brothers.

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.159
 And what a

00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.879
 story that

00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.039
 would have

00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.419
 been to

00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:17.740
 share with

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.159
 the brothers.

00:32:19.459 --> 00:32:20.179
 So some

00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:21.699
 application from

00:32:21.699 --> 00:32:22.259
 our story.

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.240
 When life

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.939
 trials come,

00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.359
 and we're

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.459
 tempted to

00:32:28.459 --> 00:32:28.659
 ask,

00:32:28.719 --> 00:32:28.819
 you know,

00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:28.980
 like,

00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.379
 why?

00:32:30.179 --> 00:32:30.619
 Oh,

00:32:30.679 --> 00:32:31.019
 Lord.

00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:32.980
 You've got

00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.399
 to remember

00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:33.679
 that we

00:32:33.679 --> 00:32:33.959
 are the

00:32:33.959 --> 00:32:35.319
 most finite,

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.279
 short-sighted

00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.639
 creatures

00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.219
 imaginable.

00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.679
 We cannot

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:38.559
 see tomorrow.

00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:39.919
 And

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:42.159
 very limited

00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.819
 perspective.

00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:43.719
 And we're

00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:44.299
 tempted to

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.759
 believe in

00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.399
 those moments

00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:45.779
 that God

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.079
 is not

00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:46.639
 sovereign and

00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:46.959
 He's not

00:32:46.959 --> 00:32:47.319
 good.

00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:48.439
 Right?

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.980
 I hope

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.339
 you follow

00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.019
 my analogy

00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.379
 here.

00:32:54.219 --> 00:32:54.639
 But life

00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:55.359
 to us is

00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:55.719
 like,

00:32:56.399 --> 00:32:56.899
 most of

00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.039
 you,

00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:57.379
 some of

00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:57.579
 you may

00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:57.939
 know what

00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.699
 a mosaic

00:32:58.699 --> 00:32:59.119
 is.

00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.579
 It's like

00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.559
 a big

00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.099
 picture that's

00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:01.439
 made up of

00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:01.719
 a lot of

00:33:01.719 --> 00:33:02.299
 different smaller

00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:02.739
 pictures.

00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.159
 So when you

00:33:03.159 --> 00:33:03.719
 stand back,

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.139
 you see

00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:05.279
 the whole

00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.619
 deal.

00:33:06.439 --> 00:33:06.879
 And life

00:33:06.879 --> 00:33:07.259
 is like

00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.599
 that to

00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:07.899
 us.

00:33:07.979 --> 00:33:08.219
 We have

00:33:08.219 --> 00:33:08.519
 these little

00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:09.199
 snapshots,

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.039
 these glimpses

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.219
 in the moment

00:33:11.219 --> 00:33:11.779
 that don't make

00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.059
 sense.

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.319
 like, I

00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:12.879
 don't make any

00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.259
 sense of

00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.679
 what I have

00:33:13.679 --> 00:33:14.000
 right here

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.220
 at all.

00:33:16.179 --> 00:33:16.539
 And in

00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:17.159
 those difficult

00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:18.819
 moments where

00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.039
 you have

00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.960
 those snapshots,

00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.500
 you have to

00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:22.019
 believe that

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.500
 they do

00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.799
 fit into

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.460
 God's

00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.859
 bigger picture.

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.480
 And He's

00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.619
 always doing

00:33:28.619 --> 00:33:28.839
 that.

00:33:28.899 --> 00:33:29.480
 He's always

00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.139
 moving and

00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:31.339
 creating this

00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:33.059
 beautiful mosaic

00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:34.220
 that testifies of

00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:34.940
 His glory and

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.539
 His grace.

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.879
 So in moments

00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.419
 of doubt,

00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:39.220
 remember God's

00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.740
 providence,

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.120
 that He works

00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.019
 all things,

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.620
 all things,

00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.100
 after the

00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:45.299
 counsel of

00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:45.880
 His will.

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.279
 Ephesians

00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.900
 1.11.

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.360
 It says of

00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:49.839
 Jesus in

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:50.640
 Hebrews 1.3,

00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.799
 He upholds the

00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.640
 universe by

00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.400
 the word of

00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:53.980
 His power.

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.640
 So this

00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.120
 stuff did not

00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.660
 just happen

00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.259
 when God was

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.839
 gone or on

00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.240
 vacation.

00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:00.779
 He ordained

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:00.940
 it.

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.440
 He allowed

00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:01.680
 it.

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:04.480
 And we

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.440
 always can't

00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:05.960
 just see it,

00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.279
 but just

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.860
 remember the

00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:07.600
 word providence.

00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:09.179
 If you're

00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:09.619
 looking for a

00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.259
 good definition,

00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.119
 Puritan

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.099
 pastor Ezekiel

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.920
 Hopkins said,

00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.500
 Providence is

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.000
 an act of

00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.400
 God,

00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.059
 whereby according

00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.480
 to His

00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.279
 eternal and

00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:19.980
 most wise

00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.519
 counsel,

00:34:21.259 --> 00:34:22.079
 preserves and

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.819
 governs all

00:34:22.819 --> 00:34:23.299
 things,

00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.659
 and directs

00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.420
 them to all

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.000
 their ends,

00:34:26.339 --> 00:34:27.219
 but chiefly to

00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.719
 His own

00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.179
 glory.

00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.380
 So know

00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.960
 that life is

00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.519
 not about

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.779
 you.

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.059
 It's not.

00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.299
 It's not

00:34:32.299 --> 00:34:32.799
 about me.

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.239
 When you

00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:35.860
 really ponder

00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.599
 who you are

00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.259
 before God,

00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.520
 you will

00:34:37.520 --> 00:34:38.040
 realize you

00:34:38.040 --> 00:34:38.500
 have no

00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.040
 rights at

00:34:39.040 --> 00:34:39.300
 all.

00:34:40.140 --> 00:34:40.660
 And anything

00:34:40.660 --> 00:34:41.380
 you have is

00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:42.120
 only by His

00:34:42.120 --> 00:34:42.380
 goodness,

00:34:42.560 --> 00:34:43.240
 only by His

00:34:43.240 --> 00:34:43.600
 grace.

00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:46.860
 That keeps

00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.160
 me from

00:34:47.160 --> 00:34:47.800
 asking why

00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:48.140
 a lot of

00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.420
 the time,

00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:48.660
 because I

00:34:48.660 --> 00:34:48.880
 know I

00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.260
 deserve far

00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.740
 worse than

00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:51.220
 I have

00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:51.620
 gotten,

00:34:53.120 --> 00:34:53.560
 infinitely

00:34:53.560 --> 00:34:54.080
 worse.

00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.160
 So know

00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:55.420
 that when

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:55.880
 you're living

00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:56.120
 in that

00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:56.740
 little picture

00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:57.300
 that God

00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:58.320
 is directing

00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.200
 all things

00:34:59.200 --> 00:35:00.360
 toward their

00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:00.640
 ends,

00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.380
 but chiefly

00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.100
 to the

00:35:02.100 --> 00:35:02.560
 glory of

00:35:02.560 --> 00:35:03.060
 His name.

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:04.900
 so some

00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.259
 things,

00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.299
 maybe another

00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.900
 message on

00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.299
 this another

00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.739
 time,

00:35:09.639 --> 00:35:10.519
 kind of,

00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.380
 we could do

00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:11.639
 a whole

00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:12.179
 message on

00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.440
 what are

00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:12.860
 those things

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.139
 that God

00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.679
 is always

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.119
 doing,

00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:15.059
 no matter

00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:15.360
 what,

00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:15.659
 no matter

00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:15.940
 how,

00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:16.739
 what your

00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:17.179
 situation

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.739
 looks like,

00:35:17.759 --> 00:35:18.079
 what is He

00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:19.000
 always doing,

00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.000
 we could have

00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.559
 a whole message

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.059
 on that,

00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.279
 but just from

00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:22.920
 our story,

00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:25.039
 here's one

00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.320
 thing,

00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.640
 God is

00:35:26.640 --> 00:35:27.440
 always seeking

00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:29.140
 to receive

00:35:29.140 --> 00:35:29.880
 praise in

00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.820
 dark places.

00:35:32.640 --> 00:35:33.539
 Very easy

00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.180
 to praise God

00:35:34.180 --> 00:35:34.620
 right here,

00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:36.440
 and seeing

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.140
 His excellence,

00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:39.700
 but when we

00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.180
 go through

00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:41.120
 dark places

00:35:41.120 --> 00:35:42.380
 and trials,

00:35:43.180 --> 00:35:43.940
 His supreme

00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:45.420
 worthiness is

00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.260
 really seen

00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:47.559
 in those moments

00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.180
 when we praise

00:35:48.180 --> 00:35:48.680
 Him and we

00:35:48.680 --> 00:35:49.280
 trust Him,

00:35:50.140 --> 00:35:50.420
 and we're

00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:50.880
 saying to

00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.460
 everyone around

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.059
 us that this

00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:52.519
 isn't what's

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.220
 controlling me,

00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:54.180
 God is

00:35:54.180 --> 00:35:54.880
 controlling me,

00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.760
 and I want

00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.340
 to show all

00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.080
 creation that

00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:58.760
 He reigns,

00:35:58.840 --> 00:35:59.539
 that He's

00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.300
 sovereign in

00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:00.980
 this moment,

00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.160
 and so when

00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:02.680
 you see Paul

00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.180
 and Silas

00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:03.740
 doing that,

00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:05.260
 they're praying

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:05.720
 and seeing

00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:06.200
 hymns to

00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:06.539
 God,

00:36:07.080 --> 00:36:07.460
 who do you

00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:07.720
 think is

00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.880
 getting the

00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.380
 glory for

00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:09.700
 that?

00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:10.760
 Because all

00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.059
 the men,

00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:11.600
 it says the

00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:11.960
 men in the

00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.320
 jail were

00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:12.940
 listening to

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.180
 them,

00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.480
 like what is

00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:15.080
 that about

00:36:15.080 --> 00:36:15.660
 down there?

00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:17.120
 Crazy.

00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:18.480
 So often we

00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:18.960
 look at God

00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.539
 and we want

00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.180
 Him to change

00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.720
 our what?

00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:20.980
 Our

00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:22.380
 circumstances,

00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:22.440
 circumstances,

00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:25.519
 but what's

00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:26.380
 cool is God

00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.260
 is often more

00:36:27.260 --> 00:36:27.820
 focused on

00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.460
 changing us

00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.000
 in the midst

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:30.160
 of the

00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:30.800
 circumstances.

00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:32.559
 So look to

00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:33.200
 God when that

00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:33.880
 stuff happens,

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:35.039
 take your eyes

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.500
 off the

00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.099
 circumstances,

00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.260
 and He

00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:37.880
 either will

00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:39.140
 choose to

00:36:39.140 --> 00:36:39.579
 calm the

00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.180
 circumstances,

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:40.579
 or He'll

00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.240
 calm you in

00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:41.539
 the midst

00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.840
 of the

00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:43.460
 circumstances,

00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:45.539
 usually what

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.019
 He likes to

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.260
 do.

00:36:47.140 --> 00:36:47.640
 So as we

00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:48.260
 praise God,

00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:48.820
 He changes

00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.240
 us, He

00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:49.860
 fills our

00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.559
 souls with

00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.500
 hope,

00:36:51.620 --> 00:36:52.079
 with joy,

00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:53.599
 with peace.

00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:55.780
 Just a few

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.280
 more things

00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:56.680
 for you.

00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:58.019
 In those

00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:58.220
 little

00:36:58.220 --> 00:36:58.940
 snapshots,

00:36:59.120 --> 00:36:59.680
 God is

00:36:59.680 --> 00:37:00.620
 always seeking

00:37:00.620 --> 00:37:02.000
 to save

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.599
 the lost

00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.099
 and bring

00:37:03.099 --> 00:37:03.360
 them to

00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:03.720
 salvation.

00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:05.320
 This might

00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:05.700
 be heavy

00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:06.079
 for some

00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:06.380
 of you.

00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.760
 God is

00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.160
 committed

00:37:10.160 --> 00:37:11.539
 to bring

00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.180
 salvation

00:37:12.180 --> 00:37:12.620
 to His

00:37:12.620 --> 00:37:13.099
 people no

00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.840
 matter what

00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:15.200
 it takes.

00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:16.700
 And He's

00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:17.500
 providentially,

00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.599
 He places

00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.260
 His people

00:37:19.260 --> 00:37:19.880
 in places

00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:21.480
 of suffering

00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:23.040
 and death

00:37:23.040 --> 00:37:24.180
 in order

00:37:24.180 --> 00:37:24.680
 to call

00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:25.420
 lost souls

00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:25.820
 into His

00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.180
 fold.

00:37:28.060 --> 00:37:29.200
 A Bulgarian

00:37:29.200 --> 00:37:31.160
 pastor in

00:37:31.160 --> 00:37:33.520
 1985 was

00:37:33.520 --> 00:37:34.160
 arrested and

00:37:34.160 --> 00:37:34.720
 imprisoned by

00:37:34.720 --> 00:37:35.340
 the communists

00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:36.460
 for preaching

00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.780
 to his

00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.340
 congregation.

00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:38.880
 His first

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.260
 name was

00:37:39.260 --> 00:37:39.980
 Heristero.

00:37:41.180 --> 00:37:41.480
 This is

00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:41.940
 something he

00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.280
 said.

00:37:43.200 --> 00:37:43.840
 So when

00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.100
 they threw

00:37:44.100 --> 00:37:44.360
 him in

00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:44.540
 jail,

00:37:44.680 --> 00:37:45.280
 this often

00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:46.080
 happens to

00:37:46.080 --> 00:37:47.180
 believers.

00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:48.220
 They're

00:37:48.220 --> 00:37:48.600
 thrown in

00:37:48.600 --> 00:37:49.000
 jail and

00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.300
 they become

00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:49.659
 such a

00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:49.960
 nuisance

00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.300
 to the

00:37:50.300 --> 00:37:50.739
 jailers

00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.559
 and the

00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:51.960
 people in

00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:52.300
 there because

00:37:52.300 --> 00:37:52.920
 they continue

00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.519
 preaching the

00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.579
 gospel to

00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.260
 the jailers,

00:37:55.380 --> 00:37:56.719
 to those who

00:37:56.719 --> 00:37:57.059
 are holding

00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:57.559
 them captive

00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:58.139
 as well as

00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:58.340
 to the

00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:58.659
 prisoners.

00:37:59.360 --> 00:37:59.659
 And he

00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.219
 said this,

00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:00.940
 both prisoners

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.719
 and jailers

00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.239
 asked many

00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:03.599
 questions and

00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.340
 it turned out

00:38:04.340 --> 00:38:05.699
 that we had

00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:07.800
 a more fruitful

00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.739
 ministry there

00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.940
 in prison than

00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:10.519
 we ever could

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.139
 have had just

00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:11.880
 inside church

00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.340
 walls.

00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:13.780
 God was

00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.440
 better served

00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:14.800
 by our

00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.460
 presence in

00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.780
 prison than

00:38:16.780 --> 00:38:17.159
 if we had

00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:17.619
 been free.

00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.260
 I mean,

00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:19.740
 do we think

00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:20.200
 that way?

00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:22.260
 Let's see

00:38:22.260 --> 00:38:22.539
 what I do

00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:22.780
 with this

00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.039
 thing.

00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.159
 It's

00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:24.460
 sitting there

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:24.840
 somewhere.

00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:26.240
 On your

00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.700
 bulletin,

00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:27.740
 there's a

00:38:27.740 --> 00:38:29.720
 quote by my

00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:30.059
 man,

00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:30.800
 Sinclair,

00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:30.800
!

00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:33.360
 In

00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:34.700
 relationship to

00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.039
 this,

00:38:36.820 --> 00:38:39.240
 he said,

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:39.979
 God doesn't

00:38:39.979 --> 00:38:40.639
 exist for

00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:41.279
 you and

00:38:41.279 --> 00:38:41.759
 for me.

00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.099
 Hear that.

00:38:43.839 --> 00:38:44.500
 But rather

00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.459
 God exists to

00:38:45.459 --> 00:38:46.159
 fulfill his

00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:47.659
 own glorious

00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:48.219
 purposes.

00:38:50.019 --> 00:38:50.979
 It is so

00:38:50.979 --> 00:38:51.579
 true in

00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:52.739
 scripture and

00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.239
 in the lives

00:38:53.239 --> 00:38:53.519
 of the

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.219
 Christians of

00:38:54.219 --> 00:38:54.599
 whom we

00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:55.000
 read in

00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:56.219
 history that

00:38:56.219 --> 00:38:56.919
 what we see

00:38:56.919 --> 00:38:57.979
 God doing

00:38:57.979 --> 00:38:59.359
 is not just

00:38:59.359 --> 00:38:59.859
 for their

00:38:59.859 --> 00:39:00.259
 benefit,

00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.779
 but because

00:39:01.779 --> 00:39:02.239
 he wanted

00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:03.059
 to work in

00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:03.639
 them and

00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.199
 through them

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:04.819
 for others.

00:39:05.839 --> 00:39:06.579
 And that's

00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:07.219
 what we see

00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:08.179
 here.

00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:09.419
 God will

00:39:09.419 --> 00:39:10.000
 even allow

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.579
 death to

00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:10.919
 come to

00:39:10.919 --> 00:39:12.139
 someone who

00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:12.739
 belongs to

00:39:12.739 --> 00:39:13.239
 him if it

00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:14.119
 means reaching

00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:15.460
 others for

00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:15.960
 salvation.

00:39:16.419 --> 00:39:17.099
 If you think

00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:17.559
 that sounds

00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.219
 harsh, then

00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:19.359
 you need to

00:39:19.359 --> 00:39:19.940
 contemplate the

00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:20.460
 cross because

00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:20.940
 he allowed the

00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:21.379
 one he loved

00:39:21.379 --> 00:39:22.119
 the most to

00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.980
 go to the

00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:24.739
 smallest little

00:39:24.739 --> 00:39:26.379
 picture and

00:39:26.379 --> 00:39:27.199
 die on the

00:39:27.199 --> 00:39:27.919
 cross in

00:39:27.919 --> 00:39:28.219
 order to

00:39:28.219 --> 00:39:28.739
 bring you

00:39:28.739 --> 00:39:29.440
 and I

00:39:29.440 --> 00:39:30.859
 into salvation.

00:39:31.919 --> 00:39:32.279
 He is

00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:33.099
 dedicated to

00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:33.679
 saving his

00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:34.159
 people in

00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:34.619
 the hardest

00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:35.059
 and most

00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.460
 dreadful

00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:36.319
 places.

00:39:37.319 --> 00:39:38.019
 Jesus said

00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:39.380
 this in

00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:40.059
 John 6

00:39:40.059 --> 00:39:40.780
 verse 37,

00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:41.840
 all the

00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:42.500
 father gives

00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.440
 to me will

00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:43.960
 come to

00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.219
 me.

00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:45.179
 Whoever

00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:45.679
 comes to

00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:45.960
 me I

00:39:45.960 --> 00:39:46.300
 will never

00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:47.019
 cast out

00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:48.119
 for I

00:39:48.119 --> 00:39:48.400
 have come

00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:49.000
 down from

00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:49.639
 heaven not

00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:50.420
 to do my

00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:51.699
 own will but

00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:52.400
 the will of

00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:52.940
 him who sent

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:53.179
 me.

00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:54.340
 And there it

00:39:54.340 --> 00:39:54.960
 is, this is

00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:55.599
 the will of

00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.059
 him who sent

00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:57.300
 me that I

00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:57.840
 should lose

00:39:57.840 --> 00:39:59.159
 nothing of

00:39:59.159 --> 00:39:59.840
 all that he

00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:00.199
 has given

00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:01.280
 me but

00:40:01.280 --> 00:40:01.900
 raised it up

00:40:01.900 --> 00:40:02.480
 on the last

00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:02.820
 day.

00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:03.980
 So Jesus

00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:05.280
 has come to

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:05.659
 save his

00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:06.300
 people and he

00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:06.900
 will do it.

00:40:06.900 --> 00:40:13.139
 God is

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:13.780
 always seeking

00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:15.000
 to do

00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:16.700
 good to

00:40:16.700 --> 00:40:17.360
 his people.

00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:19.000
 So God

00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:19.579
 isn't committed

00:40:19.579 --> 00:40:20.079
 to what you

00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:20.920
 want or you

00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:21.420
 think you

00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:21.720
 need.

00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:23.440
 He's committed

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:24.099
 to giving you

00:40:24.099 --> 00:40:24.880
 only what is

00:40:24.880 --> 00:40:25.539
 good which

00:40:25.539 --> 00:40:26.059
 means what's

00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.380
 best for

00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:27.840
 you in

00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:28.720
 every situation.

00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:31.440
 So he's

00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:32.059
 not really as

00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:32.599
 concerned with

00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:33.680
 our temporal

00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:35.279
 joy or

00:40:35.279 --> 00:40:35.839
 our temporal

00:40:35.839 --> 00:40:36.980
 blessings.

00:40:37.419 --> 00:40:37.919
 He's more

00:40:37.919 --> 00:40:38.599
 focused on

00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:40.139
 eternity which

00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:40.739
 makes this

00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:41.199
 realm look

00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:41.659
 ridiculous.

00:40:42.799 --> 00:40:43.159
 And we know

00:40:43.159 --> 00:40:43.980
 our famous

00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:45.500
 Romans 8

00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.980
 28, don't

00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:47.279
 let that

00:40:47.279 --> 00:40:48.199
 verse become

00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:48.799
 too familiar

00:40:48.799 --> 00:40:49.299
 to you.

00:40:50.319 --> 00:40:50.980
 We know

00:40:50.980 --> 00:40:51.559
 that for

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:53.379
 those who

00:40:53.379 --> 00:40:54.139
 love God

00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:55.599
 all things

00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.219
 work together.

00:40:56.299 --> 00:40:56.699
 That working

00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.299
 together and

00:40:57.299 --> 00:40:58.159
 just, they

00:40:58.159 --> 00:40:58.539
 just work

00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:58.799
 out.

00:40:58.879 --> 00:40:59.199
 It means

00:40:59.199 --> 00:40:59.539
 that God

00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.199
 is working

00:41:00.199 --> 00:41:01.519
 providentially,

00:41:01.659 --> 00:41:02.279
 sovereignly,

00:41:02.400 --> 00:41:03.579
 working those

00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:04.759
 things for

00:41:04.759 --> 00:41:05.319
 their good.

00:41:06.460 --> 00:41:06.940
 Right?

00:41:07.339 --> 00:41:08.059
 For those who

00:41:08.059 --> 00:41:08.299
 are called

00:41:08.299 --> 00:41:08.679
 according to

00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:10.059
 his purpose,

00:41:10.379 --> 00:41:10.839
 not our

00:41:10.839 --> 00:41:11.239
 purpose.

00:41:13.879 --> 00:41:14.480
 Fourthly,

00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:15.619
 and I think

00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.199
 lastly,

00:41:16.199 --> 00:41:19.119
 God is

00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:19.799
 always seeking

00:41:19.799 --> 00:41:20.259
 to point

00:41:20.259 --> 00:41:20.819
 to Christ.

00:41:21.739 --> 00:41:22.000
 Right?

00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:23.619
 Not just

00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:24.039
 in terms of

00:41:24.039 --> 00:41:24.799
 salvation, but

00:41:24.799 --> 00:41:25.839
 he wants to

00:41:25.839 --> 00:41:26.480
 show Christ

00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:27.119
 in all that

00:41:27.119 --> 00:41:27.619
 he does.

00:41:28.159 --> 00:41:28.599
 So Christ

00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:29.139
 went into

00:41:29.139 --> 00:41:30.619
 the smallest

00:41:30.619 --> 00:41:32.299
 snapshot of

00:41:32.299 --> 00:41:32.960
 life on the

00:41:32.960 --> 00:41:34.759
 cross, and

00:41:34.759 --> 00:41:35.219
 he cried out

00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:35.539
 to his

00:41:35.539 --> 00:41:36.219
 father, right?

00:41:36.639 --> 00:41:37.199
 Even Jesus

00:41:37.199 --> 00:41:37.759
 did this.

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.119
 My God,

00:41:39.179 --> 00:41:39.659
 my God,

00:41:39.719 --> 00:41:40.259
 why have

00:41:40.259 --> 00:41:41.039
 you forsaken

00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:41.419
 me?

00:41:43.699 --> 00:41:44.239
 Yet,

00:41:45.019 --> 00:41:45.679
 he trusted

00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:46.279
 the sovereign

00:41:46.279 --> 00:41:46.819
 plan of

00:41:46.819 --> 00:41:47.279
 his father,

00:41:47.899 --> 00:41:48.219
 and in

00:41:48.219 --> 00:41:48.719
 that darkest

00:41:48.719 --> 00:41:49.339
 hour, he

00:41:49.339 --> 00:41:49.579
 said,

00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:49.940
 Father,

00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:50.339
 into your

00:41:50.339 --> 00:41:50.819
 hands I

00:41:50.819 --> 00:41:51.379
 commit my

00:41:51.379 --> 00:41:51.819
 spirit.

00:41:54.419 --> 00:41:54.859
 Yet,

00:41:55.699 --> 00:41:56.339
 as is the

00:41:56.339 --> 00:41:56.819
 story of

00:41:56.819 --> 00:41:57.279
 history and

00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:57.579
 the story

00:41:57.579 --> 00:41:57.799
 of the

00:41:57.799 --> 00:41:58.000
 scripture,

00:41:58.619 --> 00:41:59.119
 we see

00:41:59.119 --> 00:41:59.619
 what man

00:41:59.619 --> 00:42:00.480
 devises for

00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:00.799
 evil.

00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:03.759
 God uses

00:42:03.759 --> 00:42:04.339
 it for

00:42:04.339 --> 00:42:04.699
 good.

00:42:06.639 --> 00:42:07.079
 Genesis

00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:07.579
 50,

00:42:07.659 --> 00:42:08.179
 verse 20.

00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:09.239
 Ah,

00:42:09.319 --> 00:42:09.759
 this is such

00:42:09.759 --> 00:42:10.000
 a good,

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:10.619
 I don't want

00:42:10.619 --> 00:42:10.819
 to get into

00:42:10.819 --> 00:42:11.099
 this too

00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:11.279
 much,

00:42:11.359 --> 00:42:12.239
 but this

00:42:12.239 --> 00:42:12.679
 is Joseph

00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:13.219
 talking to

00:42:13.219 --> 00:42:13.699
 his brothers,

00:42:13.919 --> 00:42:14.879
 but he

00:42:14.879 --> 00:42:15.440
 said,

00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:16.599
 what you

00:42:16.599 --> 00:42:17.039
 meant,

00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:18.539
 what you

00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:19.059
 designed,

00:42:19.159 --> 00:42:19.359
 what you

00:42:19.359 --> 00:42:19.899
 meant for

00:42:19.899 --> 00:42:20.579
 evil against

00:42:20.579 --> 00:42:20.899
 me,

00:42:21.519 --> 00:42:22.679
 God meant

00:42:22.679 --> 00:42:23.559
 it for

00:42:23.559 --> 00:42:23.919
 good.

00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:25.219
 Alright,

00:42:25.460 --> 00:42:25.879
 I want to

00:42:25.879 --> 00:42:26.980
 just explain

00:42:26.980 --> 00:42:27.419
 this just

00:42:27.419 --> 00:42:27.739
 briefly.

00:42:28.239 --> 00:42:28.879
 There's a lot

00:42:28.879 --> 00:42:29.659
 of talk out

00:42:29.659 --> 00:42:30.899
 there in

00:42:30.899 --> 00:42:31.299
 the church,

00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:32.239
 and by some

00:42:32.239 --> 00:42:32.759
 well-amending

00:42:32.759 --> 00:42:33.159
 people,

00:42:33.279 --> 00:42:33.579
 so I don't

00:42:33.579 --> 00:42:33.899
 want to,

00:42:34.419 --> 00:42:34.819
 I'm not

00:42:34.819 --> 00:42:35.179
 trying to

00:42:35.179 --> 00:42:35.500
 hate on

00:42:35.500 --> 00:42:35.699
 this,

00:42:35.739 --> 00:42:35.980
 I'm just

00:42:35.980 --> 00:42:36.239
 trying to

00:42:36.239 --> 00:42:36.559
 say that

00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:37.179
 right thinking

00:42:37.179 --> 00:42:38.500
 will change

00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:40.899
 how right

00:42:40.899 --> 00:42:41.379
 thinking about

00:42:41.379 --> 00:42:41.719
 God,

00:42:41.819 --> 00:42:42.199
 right thinking

00:42:42.199 --> 00:42:42.819
 about life

00:42:42.820 --> 00:42:43.900
 is important,

00:42:45.180 --> 00:42:46.640
 so it

00:42:46.640 --> 00:42:47.160
 doesn't just

00:42:47.160 --> 00:42:47.680
 mean,

00:42:48.960 --> 00:42:49.500
 think about

00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:50.039
 when a tragedy

00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:50.500
 happens,

00:42:50.660 --> 00:42:50.880
 what do you

00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:51.160
 hear on the

00:42:51.160 --> 00:42:51.460
 radio,

00:42:51.620 --> 00:42:51.800
 what do you

00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:52.059
 hear in the

00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:52.340
 news,

00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:53.720
 God didn't

00:42:53.720 --> 00:42:54.460
 want this

00:42:54.460 --> 00:42:54.960
 to happen,

00:42:55.500 --> 00:42:56.140
 but whoops,

00:42:56.280 --> 00:42:56.600
 like it

00:42:56.600 --> 00:42:56.980
 happened,

00:42:57.980 --> 00:42:59.080
 and now he

00:42:59.080 --> 00:42:59.440
 can come

00:42:59.440 --> 00:42:59.760
 around and

00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:00.240
 clean it up

00:43:00.240 --> 00:43:00.559
 and just

00:43:00.559 --> 00:43:01.800
 make something

00:43:01.800 --> 00:43:02.780
 good for

00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:02.960
 it,

00:43:03.800 --> 00:43:04.620
 we've kind

00:43:04.620 --> 00:43:04.880
 of heard

00:43:04.880 --> 00:43:05.080
 that,

00:43:05.180 --> 00:43:05.340
 right,

00:43:06.100 --> 00:43:06.600
 and it

00:43:06.600 --> 00:43:07.260
 sounds right,

00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:08.640
 but was God

00:43:08.640 --> 00:43:09.360
 caught off guard,

00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:10.220
 was he asleep,

00:43:10.980 --> 00:43:11.199
 like,

00:43:11.419 --> 00:43:12.359
 is he now

00:43:12.359 --> 00:43:13.019
 rushing to the

00:43:13.019 --> 00:43:13.439
 scene of an

00:43:13.439 --> 00:43:13.779
 accident,

00:43:14.459 --> 00:43:14.980
 trying to

00:43:14.980 --> 00:43:15.619
 clean it up

00:43:15.619 --> 00:43:16.599
 and hopefully

00:43:16.599 --> 00:43:17.219
 make something

00:43:17.219 --> 00:43:17.759
 good out of

00:43:17.759 --> 00:43:17.919
 it,

00:43:18.659 --> 00:43:19.219
 no,

00:43:19.339 --> 00:43:19.799
 and like this

00:43:19.799 --> 00:43:21.239
 text here

00:43:21.239 --> 00:43:22.619
 in Genesis

00:43:22.619 --> 00:43:23.559
 50 verse 20,

00:43:24.019 --> 00:43:24.299
 what you

00:43:24.299 --> 00:43:24.839
 meant for

00:43:24.839 --> 00:43:25.159
 evil,

00:43:25.659 --> 00:43:26.000
 like you

00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:26.599
 willfully

00:43:26.599 --> 00:43:27.459
 did this

00:43:27.459 --> 00:43:28.019
 for evil,

00:43:28.699 --> 00:43:29.239
 God

00:43:29.239 --> 00:43:30.639
 meant it

00:43:30.639 --> 00:43:31.799
 for good,

00:43:32.819 --> 00:43:33.419
 so last

00:43:33.419 --> 00:43:33.739
 night,

00:43:34.539 --> 00:43:35.659
 I was looking

00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:36.039
 up how to

00:43:36.039 --> 00:43:36.539
 pronounce this

00:43:36.539 --> 00:43:37.219
 Hebrew word,

00:43:38.239 --> 00:43:38.619
 and Kathleen

00:43:38.619 --> 00:43:38.899
 was like,

00:43:38.959 --> 00:43:39.519
 what is that,

00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:39.879
 because it

00:43:39.879 --> 00:43:40.119
 was like,

00:43:40.119 --> 00:43:40.480
 saying it

00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:41.319
 to me,

00:43:41.579 --> 00:43:43.259
 kashab,

00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:43.719
 the word

00:43:43.719 --> 00:43:44.099
 meant,

00:43:44.819 --> 00:43:45.159
 God

00:43:45.159 --> 00:43:45.699
 meant it,

00:43:46.519 --> 00:43:47.099
 it means

00:43:47.099 --> 00:43:47.819
 to plan,

00:43:48.139 --> 00:43:48.799
 devise,

00:43:49.559 --> 00:43:50.079
 calculate,

00:43:51.159 --> 00:43:51.599
 imagine,

00:43:51.739 --> 00:43:52.239
 or invent,

00:43:53.119 --> 00:43:53.799
 so it

00:43:53.799 --> 00:43:54.219
 doesn't mean

00:43:54.219 --> 00:43:54.639
 that God

00:43:54.639 --> 00:43:54.920
 was like,

00:43:54.980 --> 00:43:55.559
 oh shoot,

00:43:55.659 --> 00:43:55.980
 let me clean

00:43:55.980 --> 00:43:56.319
 this up,

00:43:56.400 --> 00:43:56.559
 it meant

00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:57.460
 that he

00:43:57.460 --> 00:43:58.179
 sovereignly

00:43:58.179 --> 00:43:58.940
 designed that

00:43:58.940 --> 00:43:59.659
 evil action

00:43:59.659 --> 00:44:00.679
 to work

00:44:00.679 --> 00:44:01.639
 against itself

00:44:01.639 --> 00:44:02.519
 for good,

00:44:03.579 --> 00:44:03.960
 and so you

00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:04.400
 see in

00:44:04.400 --> 00:44:04.920
 scripture the

00:44:04.920 --> 00:44:05.380
 willful,

00:44:05.559 --> 00:44:06.960
 sinful actions

00:44:06.960 --> 00:44:07.599
 of men playing

00:44:07.599 --> 00:44:08.500
 right into

00:44:08.500 --> 00:44:09.920
 what God

00:44:09.920 --> 00:44:10.199
 wanted

00:44:10.199 --> 00:44:11.260
 every single

00:44:11.260 --> 00:44:11.780
 time,

00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:14.679
 great reason

00:44:14.679 --> 00:44:15.280
 to praise

00:44:15.280 --> 00:44:15.559
 him,

00:44:17.559 --> 00:44:18.860
 Piper says,

00:44:18.920 --> 00:44:19.619
 people lift up

00:44:19.619 --> 00:44:20.159
 their hand

00:44:20.159 --> 00:44:20.739
 to rebel

00:44:20.739 --> 00:44:21.320
 against the

00:44:21.320 --> 00:44:21.900
 most high,

00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:23.739
 only to find

00:44:23.739 --> 00:44:24.820
 that their

00:44:24.820 --> 00:44:25.500
 rebellion is

00:44:25.500 --> 00:44:26.659
 in the

00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.159
 unwitting

00:44:27.159 --> 00:44:28.539
 service of

00:44:28.539 --> 00:44:29.000
 the wonderful

00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:29.719
 designs of

00:44:29.719 --> 00:44:30.019
 God,

00:44:30.699 --> 00:44:31.860
 even sin

00:44:31.860 --> 00:44:32.860
 cannot frustrate

00:44:32.860 --> 00:44:33.519
 the purposes

00:44:33.519 --> 00:44:34.699
 of the

00:44:34.699 --> 00:44:35.099
 almighty,

00:44:36.440 --> 00:44:36.759
 if you

00:44:36.759 --> 00:44:37.259
 think about

00:44:37.259 --> 00:44:37.500
 it,

00:44:38.440 --> 00:44:39.759
 most vividly,

00:44:39.860 --> 00:44:40.360
 most seen

00:44:40.360 --> 00:44:41.099
 clearly at

00:44:41.099 --> 00:44:41.659
 the cross,

00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:42.920
 right,

00:44:44.039 --> 00:44:44.840
 Peter says

00:44:44.840 --> 00:44:45.199
 early in

00:44:45.199 --> 00:44:45.380
 Acts,

00:44:45.460 --> 00:44:45.960
 this Christ,

00:44:46.380 --> 00:44:46.659
 he was

00:44:46.659 --> 00:44:47.199
 delivered up

00:44:47.199 --> 00:44:47.759
 according to

00:44:47.759 --> 00:44:49.039
 the predetermined,

00:44:49.820 --> 00:44:50.719
 definite plan

00:44:50.719 --> 00:44:51.320
 of God,

00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:53.219
 right,

00:44:53.699 --> 00:44:54.340
 these evil

00:44:54.340 --> 00:44:55.139
 men crucified

00:44:55.139 --> 00:44:55.559
 him,

00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:56.619
 but it was

00:44:56.619 --> 00:44:58.059
 according to

00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:58.780
 the predestined

00:44:58.780 --> 00:45:00.139
 plan of

00:45:00.139 --> 00:45:00.480
 God,

00:45:01.179 --> 00:45:02.000
 so you can't

00:45:02.000 --> 00:45:02.480
 fight God,

00:45:02.480 --> 00:45:02.780
 who just

00:45:02.780 --> 00:45:03.280
 turn your

00:45:03.280 --> 00:45:03.840
 own traps

00:45:03.840 --> 00:45:04.400
 on you,

00:45:04.920 --> 00:45:05.760
 every single

00:45:05.760 --> 00:45:06.139
 time,

00:45:06.240 --> 00:45:06.740
 plan A,

00:45:06.840 --> 00:45:07.599
 not plan B,

00:45:08.679 --> 00:45:10.320
 so keep

00:45:10.320 --> 00:45:10.740
 in mind,

00:45:10.820 --> 00:45:11.219
 just those

00:45:11.219 --> 00:45:12.780
 things that

00:45:12.780 --> 00:45:13.240
 God is

00:45:13.240 --> 00:45:13.820
 always seeking

00:45:13.820 --> 00:45:14.760
 to get

00:45:14.760 --> 00:45:15.460
 praise in

00:45:15.460 --> 00:45:16.139
 dark places,

00:45:16.780 --> 00:45:17.340
 he's always

00:45:17.340 --> 00:45:17.860
 seeking to

00:45:17.860 --> 00:45:18.340
 save the

00:45:18.340 --> 00:45:18.900
 lost and

00:45:18.900 --> 00:45:19.340
 bring them

00:45:19.340 --> 00:45:20.019
 to salvation,

00:45:20.960 --> 00:45:21.460
 he's always

00:45:21.460 --> 00:45:21.900
 seeking to

00:45:21.900 --> 00:45:22.400
 do the

00:45:22.400 --> 00:45:22.840
 best,

00:45:22.960 --> 00:45:23.400
 the good

00:45:23.400 --> 00:45:23.860
 to his

00:45:23.860 --> 00:45:24.199
 people,

00:45:25.019 --> 00:45:25.400
 and God

00:45:25.400 --> 00:45:25.780
 is always

00:45:25.780 --> 00:45:26.260
 seeking to

00:45:26.260 --> 00:45:26.639
 point to

00:45:26.639 --> 00:45:27.000
 Christ,

00:45:28.420 --> 00:45:29.079
 so let's

00:45:29.079 --> 00:45:31.139
 just ponder

00:45:31.139 --> 00:45:31.480
 that,

00:45:31.480 --> 00:45:32.860
 reality,

00:45:34.000 --> 00:45:34.559
 let's pray

00:45:34.559 --> 00:45:35.000
 together,

00:45:35.300 --> 00:45:35.699
 and continue

00:45:35.699 --> 00:45:36.119
 to worship

00:45:36.119 --> 00:45:36.300
 God.