WEBVTT

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 Please open up your Bibles to Acts chapter 17.

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 This is after Paul and his missionary companions

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 take a detour with the Spirit's direction to Macedonia.

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 They preach the gospel in Philippi and Thessalonica,

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 and now they're leaving, going from there.

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 They preach the gospel in Thessalonica and Berea here in Acts 17.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Heavenly Father, you said that you look to those who fear you and tremble at all.

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 That we want to be people who rightly recognize

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 your greatness as creator,

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 the distance between us,

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 us man and you and God.

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 We want to be a church that rightly humble ourselves before you.

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 And we ask now that you address us.

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 Speak to us in your Word.

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 Exercise your rule, your worship over us

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 in the reading and preaching.

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 And show us, reveal to us the glory of Christ

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 and His good news and salvation.

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 That we may behold Him,

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 whose glory be transformed.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Acts 17, verses 1 to 15.

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 Now, when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,

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 they came to Thessalonica,

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 where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

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 And Paul went in as was his custom,

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 and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures,

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 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ

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 to suffer and to rise from the dead.

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 This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you,

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 is the Christ.

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 And some of them were persuaded

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 and joined Paul and Silas,

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 as did a great many of the devout Greeks

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 and not a few of the leading women.

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 But the Jews were jealous,

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 and taking some wicked men of the rabble,

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 they formed a mob,

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 set the city in an uproar,

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 and attacked the house of Jason,

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 seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

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 And when they could not find them,

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 they dragged Jason in,

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 and some of the brothers before the city authorities,

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 shouting,

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 These men who have turned the world upside down

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 have come here also,

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 and Jason has received them,

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 and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar,

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 saying that there is another king, Jesus.

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 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed

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 when they heard these things,

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 and when they had taken money as security from Jason

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 and the rest they let them go.

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 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea,

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 and when they arrived,

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 they went into the Jewish synagogue.

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 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica.

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 They received the word with all eagerness,

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 examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

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 Many of them, therefore, believed,

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 with not a few Greek women of high standing,

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 as well as men.

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 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also,

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 they came there too,

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 agitating and stirring up the crowds.

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 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea,

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 but Silas and Timothy remained there.

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 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens,

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 and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible,

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 they departed.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 This is the first time I'm preaching with the real pulpit for Trinity Cambridge Church.

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 And the word pulpit comes from a Latin word that means platform.

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 And it's in the first few centuries of early church history,

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 the pulpit was featured prominently in the church's worship,

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 in the place of worship.

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 However, during the medieval ages,

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 the pulpit was set aside and replaced with the altar,

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 with the focus of worship shifting from the word of God

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 and being focused more exclusively on the mass.

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 And the pulpit relegated to a lectern off the side of the worship space.

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 It was not until the influence,

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 or due to the influence of the Protestant reformers,

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 that the pulpit started to be restored to its central place in the church's worship.

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 So that literally a platform was given for God's word,

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 so that we, as we gather as God's people,

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 we are sitting under the authority of God's word.

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 And 2,000 years later, here on September 12, 2021,

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 we continue that venerable tradition.

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 Our worship venue has changed, but the word of God has not changed.

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 And we learn from our passage here in Acts 17, verses 1 to 15,

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 that we must proclaim the word, the word of Christ,

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 from the scriptures in spite of opposition.

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 And we see how Paul and Silas do that,

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 first in Thessalonica, verses 1 to 9,

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 and then in Berea, verses 10 to 15.

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 Verse 1 tells us that after leaving Philippi,

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 Paul and his companions passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,

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 and they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

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 Thessalonica was a major city, the capital of the province of Macedonia.

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 And because this narrative is condensed,

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 it sounds to us like these missionaries are making short trips,

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 you know, forays here and there,

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 maybe going from Boston to Cambridge to Somerville,

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 or something similar to that.

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 But the travel from Philippi to Thessalonica,

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 through Amphipolis and Apollonia,

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 was about 102 miles.

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 165 kilometers for British people and other citizens of the world.

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 That's about the distance from Cambridge to Portland, Maine.

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 It's not a short distance to travel on foot.

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 Most Bible scholars estimate that Paul traveled over 10,000 miles by foot

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 on all of his missionary journeys,

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 which is longer than going from Cambridge to Los Angeles

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 and back three times to over.

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 The Lord Jesus commanded Paul to go and proclaim the gospel

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 to the ends of the earth,

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 and he took that command, Jesus.

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 He knew that people would perish forever apart from the good news of Jesus Christ,

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 and that they would never hear the good news

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 unless someone were to go to them and tell them.

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 And so, Paul literally traveled to the ends of the earth,

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 and the known boundaries of the world at the time.

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 And wherever he went, he proclaimed the gospel.

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 It says in verses 2 to 3,

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 And Paul went in, as was his custom,

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 and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures,

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 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ

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 to suffer and to rise from the dead,

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 and saying,

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 This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.

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 Paul reasoned with them.

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 He used his rational faculty to have a dialogue with these hearers.

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 But he didn't merely reason with them.

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 He said he reasoned with them from the scriptures.

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 Explaining and proving that it is necessary for the Christ

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 to suffer and rise from the dead.

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 Paul's reasoning was based on the scriptures.

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 The word explain is the same word that Luke used in Luke 24, 32,

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 after Jesus teaches some of his disciples after his resurrection.

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 And the disciples say to each other,

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 Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road?

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 While he opened to us the scriptures.

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 The word open is the same word here for explain.

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 Paul opens the scriptures, explains it, makes it sensible to his hearers.

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 Later in this chapter, Paul will again reason with people,

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 and there in chapter, starting in verse 17 and beyond,

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 with Athens' intelligentsia, their philosophers, their academics.

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 And there, Luke's assessment of the Athenian intelligentsia is not flattering.

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 He says in Acts 17, verse 21,

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 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there

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 would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

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 Now Paul's evangelistic approach to them is understandably different

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 because they are pagans.

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 They have no biblical background.

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 So he first, in that context, establishes some common philosophical grounds

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 before challenging them from the truth of scripture

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 and proclaiming the resurrection of Christ.

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 However, here, Paul's speaking to Jews.

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 He's not at the Areopagus.

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 He's at a Jewish synagogue.

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 And they already believe in the authority of the Old Testament scriptures.

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 And so he reasons with them from the scriptures

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 to prove to them that, according to their scriptures,

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 that they believe Jesus was supposed to die and be raised from the dead,

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 the Messiah.

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 We Christians, like the Jews before us, are people of the book.

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 God has already revealed to us all that is needful for life and doctrine,

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 for our salvation.

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 He's already revealed the salvation plan to us in his scriptures.

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 So it is our privilege to open up the scriptures with each other.

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 We do not rely solely on our imperfect reasoning or finite wisdom

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 when we advise or counsel people.

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 We do not merely speak from our experience or from what others have told us.

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 As people of the book, we should make it our habit

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 when we are in each other's company to say,

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 let's open up God's word.

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 Let's see what scripture has to say about that issue.

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 Sometimes we're like people who are straining our eyes to see something,

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 to read something in the dark.

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 When we can simply bring that note over to the light.

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 Psalm 119 verse 105 says,

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 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

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 We should let the light of scriptures shine on our path of life.

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 Christians are not those who have found what's in scripture

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 to be agreeable to their sentiments and opinions.

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 Christians are those who mold their sentiments and opinions

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 to be agreeable with what is found in scripture.

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 We do not conform God's word to our mind.

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 We conform our mind to God's word.

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 So we should reason with one another from the scriptures.

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 And the most important thing to get from the scriptures

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 is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

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 This is what Paul calls in 1 Corinthians 16, 15 verse 3,

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 the matter of first importance.

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 That's what Paul is demonstrating to the Thessalonians here in this passage,

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 that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead.

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 Jesus is the Christ.

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 Christ is not Jesus' last name, as most of you know.

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 It's a title.

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 Christ is just a Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah,

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 which in English we call Messiah or Christ.

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 He's the anointed one,

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 the prophesied king who was to come to rescue God's people.

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 This was Paul's main contention to his audience,

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 his Jewish fellows in Thessalonica.

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 This Jesus, when I proclaim to you,

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 is the Christ you've been waiting for.

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 And Paul makes his case using the Old Testament scriptures.

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 We don't know exactly what parts of scripture he turned to,

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 but it's not hard to guess what some of them might have been.

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 Genesis 3.15 prophesied of a suffering Messiah,

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 that a descendant of the woman who's healed would be bruised by the serpent,

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 Satan,

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 but who will then bruise the serpent's head,

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 lend the fatal blow to Satan's head.

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 Psalm 16.10 prophesied of a Messiah who would rise from the dead.

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 It says,

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 For you will not abandon my soul to shield to the dead,

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 or let your Holy One see corruption.

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 David,

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 David,

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 who was a type of the Messiah,

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 or a forefather of the Messiah,

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 he's a forefather and a foreshadowing of the Messiah,

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 and he anticipated that this Messiah would die,

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 and you would not see corruption.

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 His body would never decay.

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 He prophesied that the Messiah would be raised from the dead.

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 Isaiah 53 prophesied of a suffering Messiah.

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 It says,

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 But he was pierced for our transgression.

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 He was crushed for our iniquities.

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 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.

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 And with his wound we are healed.

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 All weed-like sheep have gone astray.

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 We have turned everyone to his own way.

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 And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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 And they made his grave with the wicked and with the rich man in his death.

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 Although he had done no violence and there was no deceit in his mouth,

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 yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him.

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 He has put him to grief.

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 When his soul makes an offering for guilt,

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 he shall see his offspring.

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 He shall prolong his days.

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 Jesus is the Messiah who fulfills all of these prophecies.

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 He died on the cross,

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 bearing our sin and our iniquities.

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 It is because of his atoning death that many are accounted righteous

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 and have a pathway to God the Father.

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 Jesus died with wicked men and he was crucified with a criminal on each side.

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 And then he was buried in a rich man's grave.

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 But he didn't stay there.

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 After he made an offering for guilt with his own life,

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 Jesus was raised from the dead.

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 God prolonged his days,

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 gave him the spoils of victory,

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 and now he has many children,

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 offspring of faith.

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 That's what we call the gospel,

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 the good news of Jesus Christ.

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 To admit that we need the Christ

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 is to admit that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves.

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 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

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 And he has ordained that the only way of salvation

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 is to give up our pretensions of saving ourselves

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 and humbly clinging to Jesus alone for salvation.

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 We have a way of describing, right?

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 People who have delusions of grandeur,

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 people who style themselves as saviors.

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 We say that they are afflicted with a Messiah complex

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 or a savior complex.

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 But the reality is that this is not a mental health problem

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 that's reserved for a few,

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:29.339
 but a fundamental spiritual malady

00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:31.860
 that afflicts every single human being.

00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:38.100
 We always think that we are the heroes of the story, though.

00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:42.180
 We want to solve society's ills.

00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:46.659
 We want to civilize or educate people who disagree with us.

00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.940
 We want to save our country.

00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:52.340
 We believe that we can save ourselves.

00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:57.840
 We deny our need for the Messiah.

00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:02.220
 We seek to be self-sufficient and self-satisfied,

00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:05.680
 but God has already sent us a Messiah.

00:17:07.340 --> 00:17:08.759
 His name is Jesus.

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:12.019
 And that means we are not the Messiah.

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.980
 And that means we cannot save ourselves.

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:18.900
 Friends, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord

00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:22.319
 and you believe in your heart that he's been raised from the dead

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.960
 that he is for your salvation,

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.919
 then you will be saved.

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:30.000
 This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.

00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.480
 He is the Messiah.

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.720
 The only Messiah.

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:38.740
 And this message of Jesus is always polarizing.

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.259
 It says in verses 4 to 5,

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:43.079
 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas

00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:45.480
 and did a great many of the devout Greeks

00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.839
 and not a few of the leading women.

00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:49.000
 But the Jews were jealous.

00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:51.519
 And taking some wicked men of the rabble,

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:54.000
 they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar

00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.700
 and attacked the house of Jason,

00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:58.039
 seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:03.180
 Some people, including a great many of the devout Greeks

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:05.000
 and not a few of the leading women,

00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:06.980
 were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas.

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:11.759
 And those who put their faith in Jesus for the beginning of their sins

00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.940
 also included some of them,

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:17.079
 meaning some of the Jews of Thessalonica.

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:21.180
 But there were not as many of them.

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:23.279
 Most of the Jews did not believe in Thessalonica.

00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.700
 A lot of the Greeks believed.

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:28.460
 So it says in verse 5,

00:18:28.580 --> 00:18:30.019
 But the Jews were jealous.

00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:33.660
 And taking some wicked men of the rabble,

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.900
 they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar.

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:42.100
 Why did the Thessalonian Jews oppose Paul and his missionary companions?

00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:45.059
 Of course, there's a number of factors that we could conjecture,

00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:47.600
 but the primary reason is here in the text.

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.620
 Luke gives it to us.

00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.220
 It was not a concern for the truth.

00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:55.059
 It was not a sincere disagreement with their point of view.

00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.980
 No, the primary reason was jealousy.

00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:02.839
 They didn't like the fact that Jesus and his gospel

00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:06.720
 was gaining a following due to Paul's missionary work.

00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:10.000
 They didn't like the fact that Gentile God-fearers,

00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:12.539
 as well as influential patronesses from the city

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.640
 who used to visit their synagogues

00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.640
 and come to hear them speak and teach,

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.860
 were now going to hear Paul speak.

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:25.000
 They didn't like the fact that Paul told these Greeks

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:28.240
 that they did not need to become a Jew in order to be saved,

00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:31.380
 that they can be saved as Gentiles.

00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.779
 They were jealous.

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:37.480
 And their malice is seen in their hostility and violence.

00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:40.460
 They recruit some ruffians, organize a mob,

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.100
 and then rabble-wows the city,

00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:44.460
 and they attack the house of Jason.

00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:46.539
 Poor Jason's not done any teaching.

00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:49.200
 All he's done is host these people,

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:52.539
 and now he's getting stormed.

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:56.480
 The house is getting destroyed.

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:59.319
 He's getting tried and beaten.

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.559
 But when they can't locate Paul and Silas,

00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.559
 it says in verse 6,

00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:06.599
 they drag Jason and some of the brothers

00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:08.119
 before the city authorities, shouting,

00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:11.959
 These men who have turned the world upside down

00:20:11.959 --> 00:20:12.979
 have come here also.

00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.000
 And Jason has received them,

00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:18.659
 and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar,

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.879
 saying that there is another king, Jesus.

00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:25.239
 This is a remarkable accusation, isn't it?

00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:30.279
 In one sense, these Jews are being polemical and slanderous.

00:20:30.699 --> 00:20:32.219
 They're making exaggerated claims

00:20:32.219 --> 00:20:34.759
 that make Paul and Silas look like a menace to society.

00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:37.640
 The accusations that they have leveled against them

00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.379
 is baseless.

00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.160
 They've turned the world upside down.

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.859
 They haven't even been to the whole world yet.

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:47.759
 All they have done was preach.

00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:51.720
 They have not organized any protests or marches.

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:55.279
 They have not vandalized any property.

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:59.039
 They have never clamored for a political revolution.

00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.140
 They're not doing anything

00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:04.059
 to turn the world upside down in one sense.

00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:06.680
 But in another sense,

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.279
 their accusation is quite accurate.

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:15.079
 Without swords, guns, or missiles,

00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:19.519
 without microphones, blogs, and social media,

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:22.940
 without money, and without political connections,

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:26.660
 these men have turned the world upside down.

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:31.240
 Simply by proclaiming the word of Christ,

00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:34.140
 by proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ,

00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:35.500
 the Messianic King,

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.420
 the Son of God,

00:21:36.580 --> 00:21:38.080
 whom God the Father has appointed

00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:40.220
 to reign over His kingdom forever.

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:44.020
 These men have shared this good news,

00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:44.700
 and in doing so,

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:47.660
 have turned the world that was in rebellion against God,

00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:49.860
 a world that was upside down,

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.259
 right side up.

00:21:51.840 --> 00:21:52.920
 Starting to do that.

00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:55.800
 Bringing it under the lordship of Jesus.

00:21:55.799 --> 00:22:00.299
 So they were right that these men have turned the world upside down.

00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:03.019
 Everywhere Paul preached the gospel,

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.759
 there were some who responded with faith,

00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:11.319
 but others responded with unbelief and active opposition.

00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.819
 More often than not,

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:16.839
 Paul was driven out of the city that he preached at,

00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:18.259
 by the hostile crowds.

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:22.579
 Why was the gospel message so polarized?

00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:26.399
 It's because it's the message of King Jesus.

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:29.460
 The King who ascended to the cross

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:32.359
 to redeem His people from slavery to sin and death.

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:36.240
 The King who was raised and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:39.519
 The King who now sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father

00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:41.579
 to rule over His people forever.

00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:47.579
 Because the gospel demands that we bow before this King,

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.279
 that we submit to this King,

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.980
 pledge allegiance to this King,

00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.839
 in order to be saved.

00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.539
 That's why the gospel is polarized.

00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.660
 Look at their charge in verse 7.

00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:01.279
 They are all acting against the decrees of season,

00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:03.720
 saying that there is another King, Jesus.

00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:06.740
 After the reign of Julius Caesar,

00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:09.720
 the term Caesar became a title for the Roman emperors,

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:12.680
 and Roman citizens were required

00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:14.640
 to pledge reverence and obedience

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.319
 to the emperor, their king.

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.440
 Proclaiming another king

00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:21.440
 would have been considered treasonous.

00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.620
 In one sense,

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:28.000
 the governments should never feel threatened by the church,

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:30.960
 because Christians will not seek to usurp

00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.079
 their rule,

00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.639
 the throne of the kingdom of man.

00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:37.139
 Jesus said in Luke 20, verse 25,

00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:39.599
 Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,

00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:41.699
 and to God the things that are God's.

00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.220
 In saying this,

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.639
 Jesus told His Jewish followers

00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:47.119
 that they should dutifully pay taxes to Caesar.

00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:51.039
 You should be subjected to your governing authorities,

00:23:51.139 --> 00:23:52.359
 as Romans 13 says.

00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:55.339
 But when Caesar demanded worship,

00:23:55.339 --> 00:24:01.879
 when He demanded total allegiance

00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:05.319
 that undermined the Christian allegiance to Christ,

00:24:05.959 --> 00:24:09.439
 they would in no way submit to the wishes of Caesar.

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:14.500
 The Acts of the Silicenten Martyrs,

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:18.400
 it's the oldest extant document from the Latin church,

00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.480
 the Latin-speaking church.

00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.880
 It's a second-century account

00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:23.660
 of 12 North African Christians

00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:26.400
 who were executed for their faith

00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:29.660
 on July 17, 180 A.D.

00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:31.779
 by Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:34.220
 What was their crime?

00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:36.139
 Their crime was refusing to swear

00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.700
 an oath of allegiance to the emperor.

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.579
 As they were being tried and sentenced,

00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:45.299
 the proconsul Saturninus

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:47.119
 is recorded to have said this,

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:50.259
 We too, Greeks, are religious people,

00:24:50.719 --> 00:24:52.339
 and our religion is a sinful one.

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:56.339
 We swear by the genius of our Lord, the emperor,

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.579
 and we offer prayers for His health

00:24:58.579 --> 00:25:00.159
 as you also ought to do.

00:25:02.679 --> 00:25:03.799
 The Silicenten Martyrs

00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.859
 refuse to subscribe to such religion.

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:10.079
 Jesus said in Matthew 6, verse 24,

00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:12.219
 No one can serve two masters,

00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:14.199
 for either he will hate the one

00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:15.619
 and love the other,

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:17.500
 or he will be devoted to the one

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:19.219
 and despise the other.

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.899
 The person who tries to serve two masters

00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:24.839
 is called a spy

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:27.259
 or a traitor.

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:33.459
 And he is executed as soon as he is found out

00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:34.679
 because his ultimate allegiance

00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:37.339
 lies with one and not the other.

00:25:39.479 --> 00:25:41.199
 The gospel is polarizing

00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:43.299
 because it admits no neutral ground.

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:46.700
 You can serve only one master.

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.680
 Totalitarian governments throughout history

00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:51.519
 have always persecuted Christians.

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:52.960
 Why?

00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:55.399
 Because they understand this reality.

00:25:57.339 --> 00:26:00.000
 They knew that the Christians' ultimate religions

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.359
 lay not with them,

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.539
 but with the Lord Jesus.

00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.480
 Look at verse 8.

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.879
 It says that the people in the city authorities

00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:08.579
 were disturbed when they heard

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:10.980
 that Christians proclaimed another king named Jesus.

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:15.700
 When a person reveals who they truly are,

00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.400
 we have an expression for that, right?

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:20.500
 We say that they're showing their true colors.

00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:27.200
 That expression has an origin in sailing.

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.740
 It has a nautical origin.

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:38.339
 The flags that ships were raised,

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.380
 that ships raised,

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:41.460
 were called colors of the ship.

00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:46.039
 Sometimes a ship would lower its colors

00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:48.059
 or even fly the enemy's colors

00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.539
 in order to stay undetected

00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:52.359
 and to gain an advantage in a naval battle.

00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:54.299
 But when the time came

00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.839
 for the ultimate confrontation,

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.139
 when the time came

00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:59.399
 to show their true loyalties,

00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:02.659
 they would take down their counterfeit colors

00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:04.699
 and show their true colors

00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:06.699
 by raising the flag

00:27:06.699 --> 00:27:08.159
 of the sovereign

00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:09.539
 to whom they pledged the Jesus.

00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:17.500
 Christian brothers and sisters,

00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:21.539
 have you raised your flags?

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:23.159
 Have you shown your true colors?

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:32.940
 Does the world know which king you serve?

00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:40.599
 Is it apparent to your neighbors

00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:43.619
 that you are citizens of another heavenly kingdom?

00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:48.119
 Are your purposes and priorities

00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:50.299
 governed by the Lord Jesus?

00:27:50.979 --> 00:27:52.939
 Or is it governed by another prince,

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.659
 another Lord,

00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.479
 rulers of the spirit?

00:28:00.719 --> 00:28:03.039
 You cannot fly two colors at once.

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:07.099
 You can't serve two masters at once.

00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:10.139
 Have you made the choice

00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.519
 to follow your king, Jesus?

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.959
 We must proclaim the word of Christ

00:28:15.959 --> 00:28:16.939
 from the scriptures

00:28:16.939 --> 00:28:19.119
 in spite of the opposition.

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.799
 Jason and some of the Christian brothers

00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:26.579
 who were dragged to the city authorities

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.659
 are then released

00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:28.839
 after posting bail.

00:28:28.939 --> 00:28:29.719
 I mean, they ultimately

00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:31.079
 didn't want anything to do with Jason.

00:28:31.199 --> 00:28:32.519
 They wanted Paul and Silas.

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.759
 And since they can't catch him,

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.439
 they let him go.

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:37.539
 And the Christians in Thessalonica,

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:39.259
 seeing the imminent danger

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.400
 that Paul and Silas were in,

00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:42.420
 they send them by night

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:44.039
 under the cover of darkness

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.640
 as a safe precaution.

00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.580
 In verse 10,

00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.720
 they send them away to the river.

00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.279
 When they arrive in Berea,

00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:53.240
 they don't hide and keep quiet.

00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:55.580
 A little bit foolish.

00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:59.140
 Foolish for the Lord's sake.

00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:03.700
 They preach the gospel again.

00:29:05.540 --> 00:29:06.680
 But thankfully this time

00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:08.280
 they get a better reception in Berea.

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.060
 He says in verse 11,

00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.480
 Now these Jews were more noble

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:12.040
 than those in Thessalonica.

00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.720
 They received the word

00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.560
 with all eagerness,

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:16.040
 examining the scriptures daily

00:29:16.040 --> 00:29:17.640
 to see if these things were so.

00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:20.420
 What comes to your mind

00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:22.240
 when you think of a man

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.300
 or a woman of nobility?

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:26.320
 Someone who has a noble bearing

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.960
 or an upbringing or an heritage.

00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:31.960
 Wealth?

00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.559
 Titles?

00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:39.079
 Parental lineage?

00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:42.039
 Educational pedigree?

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.659
 In God's perspective,

00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:47.200
 what makes one noble

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:49.099
 is not any of those things.

00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.720
 What made the Berean Jews

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.240
 more noble than the Jews

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.039
 in Thessalonica

00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.099
 was this day

00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:56.680
 received the word

00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:58.639
 with all eagerness,

00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.799
 examining the scriptures daily

00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:03.460
 to see if these things were so.

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.460
 It's such a telling verse.

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.500
 It reveals the heart of God,

00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:09.639
 what He values in us,

00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:11.299
 what He cherishes.

00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:15.200
 What is your posture

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.759
 toward His word?

00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.720
 Those who accord to scripture

00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.960
 the proper authority

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.099
 as the word of God,

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.859
 those who handle God's word

00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.679
 with care,

00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.939
 those who are eager

00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:27.339
 to receive God's word,

00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:29.119
 those who diligently examine

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:29.759
 the scriptures,

00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:32.099
 such are the man and woman

00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.459
 of noble bearing.

00:30:35.959 --> 00:30:38.159
 You might have no status

00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:39.339
 or privilege

00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:40.439
 or prestige

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.639
 in this world,

00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:45.179
 but if you are such man

00:30:45.179 --> 00:30:45.480
 and woman,

00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.539
 you are noble

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:48.119
 in God's eyes.

00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:54.339
 And we should strive

00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.459
 to do this more and more.

00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.299
 Verse 11 says

00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.039
 that Berean Jews

00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.839
 received the word

00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.859
 with all eagerness.

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.939
 They weren't reluctant,

00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.839
 inattentive listeners

00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:04.479
 because they knew

00:31:04.479 --> 00:31:05.659
 that God Himself

00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:07.199
 speaks in His word.

00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:10.439
 Think about it.

00:31:10.439 --> 00:31:10.959
 They didn't even know

00:31:10.959 --> 00:31:11.659
 who Paul was.

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.199
 Paul said,

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:17.600
 Newcomer in town.

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.380
 Who is this guy?

00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.340
 And yet they listened,

00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.380
 received the word

00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.200
 with all eagerness,

00:31:25.080 --> 00:31:27.400
 not because of their reverence

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.960
 for Paul,

00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:30.019
 but because of their reverence

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.680
 for God's word.

00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.660
 The reception of the word,

00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.000
 however,

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.299
 was not passive

00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.940
 or undiscerning.

00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:42.059
 It involved examining

00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.220
 the scriptures daily

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.299
 to see if these things

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.940
 were so.

00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.960
 Because preaching

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.660
 involves human interpretation,

00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:50.519
 human application,

00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:52.120
 and human proclamation

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.880
 of the divine scriptures,

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.960
 it is not infallible,

00:31:56.120 --> 00:31:56.500
 the preaching.

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.539
 It can be the case

00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.700
 that even when a preacher

00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:01.000
 preaches from the Bible,

00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.580
 that what he's saying

00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:03.779
 is actually not biblical.

00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.360
 That happens.

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.860
 And so it is incumbent

00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.980
 upon all of us

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.680
 as God's people

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:12.360
 to keep our Bibles open

00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:15.179
 as we listen to a sermon

00:32:15.179 --> 00:32:16.599
 and examine the scriptures

00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:18.039
 to see if the preaching

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.459
 is saying

00:32:19.459 --> 00:32:20.819
 what really the Bible

00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.419
 is saying.

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.219
 The Greek word

00:32:24.219 --> 00:32:25.179
 translated examine

00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:26.019
 here refers to

00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:27.179
 a careful study

00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:27.779
 of an issue

00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.500
 or a question.

00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.779
 The word is often used

00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.419
 to describe

00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.759
 what a judge does.

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.359
 A judge examines

00:32:32.979 --> 00:32:33.479
 the evidence

00:32:33.479 --> 00:32:34.039
 of a case.

00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:37.440
 many of you are students

00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.399
 or have recently

00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.220
 been students

00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:41.000
 and you have excelled

00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.720
 in your studies.

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.299
 What if you apply

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.839
 that same industry

00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:47.059
 and resourcefulness

00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:48.659
 with which you apply

00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:49.259
 yourself

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.220
 to the subject

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.359
 of your specialty

00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.899
 to the examining

00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:54.299
 of God's word?

00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:57.240
 What if you believed

00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.879
 what was preached

00:32:58.879 --> 00:33:00.740
 not merely because

00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:02.019
 the pastor said it

00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:03.579
 but because you yourself

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.799
 also see it

00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.500
 in the scriptures

00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.480
 with your own eyes?

00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:10.619
 That inspires

00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.859
 so much confidence

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.480
 and enthusiasm

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.379
 when you see

00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:14.279
 and understand

00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.500
 the truth of God's word

00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.440
 firsthand

00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.879
 not merely

00:33:17.879 --> 00:33:18.480
 secondhand.

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:24.019
 Don't despair

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.860
 of understanding

00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:25.539
 God's word.

00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.460
 Don't be discouraged

00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.400
 that competent

00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:29.180
 godly pastors

00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.700
 disagree on certain things.

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.440
 As you saw

00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.299
 in chapter 15

00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.339
 godly people do

00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:35.339
 at times disagree

00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:35.980
 with each other

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.880
 because our knowledge

00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:37.700
 this side of heaven

00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.339
 is partial

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:38.920
 and imperfect.

00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.500
 Most of the

00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.680
 Korean Jews

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:44.740
 likely didn't have

00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.620
 Paul's

00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:47.259
 academic training

00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:49.039
 Paul had

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:50.379
 an impeccable pedigree.

00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.480
 If you remember

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.539
 he was a Pharisee

00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:52.859
 he said

00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.440
 according to

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.099
 the strictest

00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:55.099
 party of his religion

00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.440
 he was trained

00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.160
 under Gamaliel

00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.339
 the most prominent

00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.500
 rabbi at the time

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.579
 who was himself

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.420
 trained by the

00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.660
 famous Rabbi Hillel

00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:04.799
 presidents of the

00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.319
 Sanhedrin

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.099
 the highest ruling

00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:06.879
 Jewish body

00:34:06.879 --> 00:34:07.940
 ruling authority

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:09.619
 Paul in every

00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.300
 sense of the word

00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:11.440
 had the Ivy League

00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.460
 Jewish education

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:14.280
 he belonged to

00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:14.960
 the strictest

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.579
 Jewish sect

00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.800
 he was advancing

00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.800
 beyond the

00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.460
 people

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.620
 beyond his peers

00:34:19.620 --> 00:34:20.539
 in Judaism

00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:22.800
 and yet you don't

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.539
 see the Korean

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.380
 Jews kind of

00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.100
 throwing up their

00:34:25.100 --> 00:34:25.860
 hands in despair

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.220
 and saying

00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:27.120
 well that's settled

00:34:27.120 --> 00:34:29.740
 well Paul said

00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.620
 he's smarter than me

00:34:30.620 --> 00:34:31.300
 he's more learned

00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:31.580
 than me

00:34:31.580 --> 00:34:32.440
 so he must be right

00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:36.080
 there's no need

00:34:36.080 --> 00:34:36.539
 to search the

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:36.820
 scriptures

00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:39.500
 no look at their

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:39.900
 response

00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:40.580
 they're ordinary

00:34:40.580 --> 00:34:41.080
 Jews

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:44.539
 they were noble

00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.400
 not because of

00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:46.079
 their intelligence

00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.799
 or academic

00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:47.599
 pedigree

00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:48.539
 they were noble

00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:49.340
 because though

00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:50.239
 they were ordinary

00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:50.779
 Jews

00:34:50.779 --> 00:34:51.880
 they had a sincere

00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:53.179
 commitment to the

00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:54.239
 authority of God's

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.539
 word

00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.539
 and because they

00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.179
 had a humble

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.019
 disposition

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:58.059
 and faith

00:34:58.059 --> 00:35:00.079
 that they can't

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:01.239
 understand God's

00:35:01.239 --> 00:35:01.539
 word

00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:05.819
 I want to encourage

00:35:05.819 --> 00:35:06.460
 you with this quote

00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.000
 from J.I.

00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.880
 Packer's classic

00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.639
 Knowing God

00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:10.519
 he says John Owen

00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.539
 and John Calvin

00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.579
 knew more theology

00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.639
 than John Bunyan

00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.420
 or Billy Bray

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:16.839
 but who would

00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.239
 deny

00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.519
 that the latter

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.539
 pair knew

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.579
 their God

00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:22.199
 every bit as well

00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:22.739
 as the former

00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:25.440
 all four of course

00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.199
 were beavers

00:35:26.199 --> 00:35:26.759
 with Bible

00:35:26.759 --> 00:35:27.819
 which counts

00:35:27.819 --> 00:35:28.539
 for far more

00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.199
 anyway than a

00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.940
 form of theological

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.400
 training

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:32.179
 if the decisive

00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:32.879
 factor was

00:35:32.879 --> 00:35:33.940
 notional correctness

00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.679
 then obviously

00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.579
 the most learned

00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.440
 biblical scholars

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.059
 would know God

00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.639
 better than anyone

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.000
 else

00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:39.820
 but it is not

00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:41.619
 you can have

00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.420
 all the right

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.179
 notions in your

00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:43.659
 head without

00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.659
 ever tasting

00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.619
 in your heart

00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.659
 the realities

00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:47.440
 to which they

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.880
 refer

00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:49.659
 and a simple

00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:51.019
 Bible reader

00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:52.360
 and sermon

00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:53.179
 hearer

00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.239
 who is full

00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:55.099
 of the Holy Spirit

00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.980
 will develop

00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:57.159
 a far deeper

00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:57.960
 acquaintance

00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.920
 with his God

00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.440
 and Savior

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.460
 than a more

00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:01.199
 learned scholar

00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:01.880
 who is content

00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.380
 with being

00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.000
 theologically

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.519
 correct

00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:08.139
 of course

00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:08.579
 if you

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.099
 undertake

00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:09.619
 your formal

00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.119
 theological

00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.759
 education

00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:11.159
 with the

00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:11.480
 same

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:11.880
 humble

00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.280
 posture

00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:12.639
 you can

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.019
 also

00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.480
 develop

00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.099
 a deeper

00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:14.820
 acquaintance

00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:15.739
 with God

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:17.519
 but that's a

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:18.300
 privilege that is

00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:19.039
 not restricted

00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.659
 to formal

00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:20.199
 education

00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:22.879
 all those

00:36:22.879 --> 00:36:23.339
 who are

00:36:23.339 --> 00:36:23.539
 as

00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:23.819
 Patrick

00:36:23.819 --> 00:36:24.480
 calls them

00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.679
 eager

00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:26.299
 beavers

00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:26.619
 for the

00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:26.919
 Bible

00:36:26.919 --> 00:36:30.960
 all those

00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.379
 who like

00:36:31.379 --> 00:36:32.119
 the Bereans

00:36:32.119 --> 00:36:33.139
 receive the

00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:33.599
 word with

00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.319
 gladness

00:36:34.319 --> 00:36:34.939
 and search

00:36:34.939 --> 00:36:35.500
 the scriptures

00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.099
 thoroughly

00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:37.559
 can know

00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.239
 God

00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:39.619
 personally

00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:41.399
 profoundly

00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:44.420
 isn't that

00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:44.780
 such a

00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:45.139
 wonderful

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.800
 invitation

00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:49.940
 every

00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.579
 Christian

00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:51.240
 can

00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:51.920
 understand

00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.119
 the

00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:52.420
 Bible

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.099
 if you

00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.599
 study it

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.000
 diligently

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.380
 and

00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:54.980
 prayerfully

00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.660
 depending

00:36:55.660 --> 00:36:56.000
 on the

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.599
 Holy Spirit

00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:56.920
 in the

00:36:56.920 --> 00:36:57.280
 nation

00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:59.780
 in our

00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:00.079
 day and

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.300
 age

00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:00.579
 we are

00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.099
 likely to

00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.400
 assume

00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:01.720
 after

00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.360
 a

00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:02.920
 verse

00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.119
 like

00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:03.400
 that

00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.559
 we're

00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:04.780
 likely

00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.019
 to

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.500
 assume

00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:05.619
 that

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:05.780
 this

00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:05.960
 kind

00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:06.039
 of

00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.300
 diligent

00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:06.619
 study

00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:06.940
 only

00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:07.340
 involved

00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:07.920
 personal

00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.200
 Bible

00:37:08.200 --> 00:37:08.519
 stuff

00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:10.420
 sitting

00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:10.680
 at a

00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:10.880
 table

00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.200
 with your

00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:11.639
 own Bible

00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:11.980
 open

00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:12.279
 maybe

00:37:12.279 --> 00:37:12.579
 putting

00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:12.739
 your

00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:13.000
 headphones

00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.419
 on

00:37:13.419 --> 00:37:13.559
 and

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:13.799
 listening

00:37:13.799 --> 00:37:14.139
 to

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.519
 a

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:14.859
 podcast

00:37:14.859 --> 00:37:15.239
 or

00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:15.519
 YouTube

00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:15.899
 comment

00:37:15.899 --> 00:37:16.179
 there

00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:18.859
 on a

00:37:18.859 --> 00:37:19.159
 topic

00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.439
 or

00:37:19.439 --> 00:37:19.859
 on a

00:37:19.859 --> 00:37:20.279
 passage

00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:21.559
 but

00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:22.019
 that's

00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.419
 that

00:37:22.419 --> 00:37:22.599
 would

00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.039
 be

00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:24.079
 not

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.279
 a

00:37:24.279 --> 00:37:24.719
 completely

00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.199
 accurate

00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:25.599
 picture

00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:25.899
 of what

00:37:25.899 --> 00:37:26.419
 the

00:37:26.419 --> 00:37:26.779
 Bereans

00:37:26.779 --> 00:37:27.159
 were doing

00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:27.419
 in this

00:37:27.419 --> 00:37:27.679
 case

00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:29.359
 why

00:37:29.359 --> 00:37:29.839
 because

00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:30.419
 remember

00:37:30.419 --> 00:37:30.619
 that

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:30.899
 Jews

00:37:30.899 --> 00:37:31.179
 at the

00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:31.599
 time

00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.119
 didn't

00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:32.519
 have

00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.119
 personal

00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.500
 Bibles

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:33.779
 like

00:37:33.779 --> 00:37:33.980
 all

00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.419
 of us

00:37:34.419 --> 00:37:35.980
 the

00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.299
 printing

00:37:36.299 --> 00:37:36.619
 press

00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:36.939
 hadn't

00:37:36.939 --> 00:37:37.139
 been

00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:37.619
 invented

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.179
 yet

00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:41.559
 most

00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.099
 scriptural

00:37:42.099 --> 00:37:42.500
 manuscripts

00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:42.779
 were

00:37:42.779 --> 00:37:43.139
 hand

00:37:43.139 --> 00:37:43.579
 copied

00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:43.839
 which

00:37:43.839 --> 00:37:44.039
 means

00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.159
 they

00:37:44.159 --> 00:37:44.239
 were

00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:44.440
 very

00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:44.839
 rare

00:37:44.839 --> 00:37:45.739
 and

00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:46.299
 expensive

00:37:46.299 --> 00:37:48.299
 so

00:37:48.299 --> 00:37:48.460
 there

00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:48.599
 was

00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:48.839
 one

00:37:48.839 --> 00:37:49.239
 place

00:37:49.239 --> 00:37:49.379
 that

00:37:49.379 --> 00:37:49.480
 they

00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:49.599
 could

00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:49.799
 go

00:37:49.799 --> 00:37:49.980
 to

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:50.199
 search

00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:50.359
 the

00:37:50.359 --> 00:37:50.719
 scriptures

00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.899
 synagogue

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:53.639
 where

00:37:53.639 --> 00:37:53.860
 they

00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:54.320
 kept

00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:55.180
 for

00:37:55.180 --> 00:37:55.559
 public

00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:55.900
 use

00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:56.200
 the

00:37:56.200 --> 00:37:56.519
 scroll

00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:57.840
 of

00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.200
 scripture

00:37:58.200 --> 00:38:00.940
 so

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.119
 they're

00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:01.280
 not

00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:01.599
 doing

00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:01.940
 this

00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.660
 independently

00:38:02.660 --> 00:38:03.220
 they're

00:38:03.220 --> 00:38:03.780
 studying

00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.000
 the

00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:04.280
 scriptures

00:38:04.280 --> 00:38:04.780
 with

00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.160
 their

00:38:05.160 --> 00:38:05.619
 fellow

00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.460
 community

00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:08.099
 they're

00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.440
 searching

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.039
 scriptures

00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:09.680
 together

00:38:09.680 --> 00:38:16.059
 this

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.280
 is an

00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:16.539
 aspect

00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:16.740
 of

00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:16.940
 Bible

00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:17.220
 study

00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:17.380
 that

00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:17.700
 often

00:38:17.700 --> 00:38:17.860
 is

00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.200
 lost

00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:18.380
 on

00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:18.559
 us

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.000
 modern

00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:20.119
 our

00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.519
 modern

00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.160
 individualistic

00:38:21.160 --> 00:38:21.760
 sensibilities

00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.800
 when we

00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:23.040
 study

00:38:23.040 --> 00:38:23.240
 the

00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:23.480
 Bible

00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:23.820
 with

00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.200
 other

00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:24.580
 brothers

00:38:24.580 --> 00:38:24.780
 and

00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:25.140
 sisters

00:38:25.140 --> 00:38:25.380
 the

00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:25.800
 diverse

00:38:25.800 --> 00:38:26.200
 gifts

00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:26.380
 of

00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:26.500
 the

00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:26.880
 spirit

00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:27.220
 come

00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:27.400
 to

00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:27.720
 bear

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:27.980
 and

00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.280
 we

00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:28.920
 gain

00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:29.160
 more

00:38:29.160 --> 00:38:29.680
 insight

00:38:29.680 --> 00:38:29.860
 and

00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:30.000
 we

00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.400
 benefit

00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:30.660
 and

00:38:30.660 --> 00:38:30.800
 we

00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:30.940
 are

00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:31.480
 edified

00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:33.060
 I

00:38:33.060 --> 00:38:33.400
 found

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:33.560
 this

00:38:33.560 --> 00:38:33.860
 time

00:38:33.860 --> 00:38:33.980
 and

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.180
 time

00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:34.500
 again

00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:34.880
 when

00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.320
 after

00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:35.700
 preaching

00:38:35.700 --> 00:38:35.940
 a

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.240
 sermon

00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:37.280
 that

00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:37.400
 I

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:38.020
 spent

00:38:38.020 --> 00:38:39.020
 20

00:38:39.020 --> 00:38:39.280
 or so

00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:39.540
 hours

00:38:39.540 --> 00:38:39.960
 preparing

00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:40.340
 studying

00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:40.480
 a

00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:40.760
 passage

00:38:40.760 --> 00:38:41.140
 and

00:38:41.140 --> 00:38:41.240
 then

00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:41.320
 I

00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:41.420
 go

00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:41.520
 to

00:38:41.520 --> 00:38:41.600
 a

00:38:41.600 --> 00:38:41.820
 community

00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.040
 group

00:38:42.040 --> 00:38:42.200
 that

00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:42.560
 week

00:38:42.560 --> 00:38:44.120
 and

00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:44.280
 I'm

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:44.560
 talking

00:38:44.560 --> 00:38:44.700
 to

00:38:44.700 --> 00:38:44.880
 brothers

00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:45.020
 and

00:38:45.020 --> 00:38:45.220
 sisters

00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:45.440
 who

00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:45.740
 haven't

00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:45.920
 spent

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.059
 the

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:46.220
 same

00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:46.380
 amount

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:46.460
 of

00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:46.639
 time

00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:46.920
 studying

00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:47.059
 and

00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:47.260
 yet

00:38:47.260 --> 00:38:47.639
 every

00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:48.180
 single

00:38:48.180 --> 00:38:48.740
 week

00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.240
 if

00:38:49.240 --> 00:38:49.400
 there

00:38:49.400 --> 00:38:49.500
 is

00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:49.840
 active

00:38:49.840 --> 00:38:50.539
 participation

00:38:50.539 --> 00:38:50.760
 and

00:38:50.760 --> 00:38:51.019
 lively

00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:51.420
 discussion

00:38:51.420 --> 00:38:51.720
 I

00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:51.860
 am

00:38:51.860 --> 00:38:52.260
 learning

00:38:52.260 --> 00:38:52.659
 new

00:38:52.659 --> 00:38:53.240
 things

00:38:53.240 --> 00:38:54.920
 and

00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:55.200
 I'm

00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:55.420
 being

00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:55.940
 edified

00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:58.260
 by

00:38:58.260 --> 00:38:58.420
 the

00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:58.639
 body

00:38:58.639 --> 00:38:58.800
 of

00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.119
 Christ

00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:04.800
 and

00:39:04.800 --> 00:39:04.940
 when

00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:05.059
 we

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.280
 study

00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:05.440
 the

00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:05.680
 Bible

00:39:05.680 --> 00:39:05.840
 as

00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:05.940
 a

00:39:05.940 --> 00:39:06.280
 community

00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:06.720
 we

00:39:06.720 --> 00:39:07.019
 also

00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:07.480
 check

00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:07.680
 one

00:39:07.680 --> 00:39:08.119
 another's

00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:08.460
 most

00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:09.000
 errant

00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:09.740
 impulses

00:39:09.740 --> 00:39:12.720
 if

00:39:12.720 --> 00:39:12.820
 we

00:39:12.820 --> 00:39:12.940
 are

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.059
 in

00:39:13.059 --> 00:39:13.180
 our

00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:13.380
 own

00:39:13.380 --> 00:39:13.740
 heads

00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:13.960
 when

00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:14.340
 we're

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:14.559
 studying

00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:14.720
 the

00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:14.980
 Bible

00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:17.260
 without

00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:17.740
 input

00:39:17.740 --> 00:39:18.000
 from

00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:18.280
 other

00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:18.719
 people

00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:19.199
 that's

00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:19.500
 really

00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:19.740
 a

00:39:19.740 --> 00:39:21.219
 dangerous

00:39:21.219 --> 00:39:21.519
 ground

00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:21.679
 to

00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:22.219
 incubate

00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:22.619
 Harrison

00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:25.000
 you

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:25.119
 can

00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:25.280
 think

00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:25.440
 about

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:25.559
 it

00:39:25.559 --> 00:39:25.740
 this

00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:25.980
 way

00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.760
 when

00:39:26.760 --> 00:39:27.380
 we

00:39:27.380 --> 00:39:27.519
 didn't

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:27.780
 have

00:39:27.780 --> 00:39:28.000
 this

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.300
 happen

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:28.760
 today

00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:29.380
 which

00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:29.579
 I'm

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:29.860
 thankful

00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:30.219
 for

00:39:30.219 --> 00:39:30.699
 but

00:39:30.699 --> 00:39:31.139
 sometimes

00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:31.400
 when

00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:31.679
 you

00:39:31.679 --> 00:39:32.420
 have

00:39:32.420 --> 00:39:32.940
 microphones

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:33.199
 and

00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:33.519
 speakers

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:33.760
 you

00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:33.960
 get

00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:34.380
 feedback

00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:34.800
 right

00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:36.599
 feedback

00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.119
 happens

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.519
 when

00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:38.079
 you

00:39:38.079 --> 00:39:38.380
 speak

00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:38.519
 into

00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:38.659
 a

00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:39.119
 microphone

00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:39.800
 but

00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:40.079
 then

00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:41.159
 the

00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:41.559
 sound

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:41.760
 that's

00:39:41.760 --> 00:39:41.960
 coming

00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:42.119
 off

00:39:42.119 --> 00:39:42.260
 the

00:39:42.260 --> 00:39:42.599
 speaker

00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:42.800
 is

00:39:42.800 --> 00:39:42.940
 so

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.320
 loud

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:43.800
 and

00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:43.960
 so

00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.320
 close

00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:44.460
 to

00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:44.599
 the

00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:44.960
 microphone

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.579
 that

00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:45.699
 the

00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:45.980
 microphone

00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:46.480
 picks up

00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:46.619
 the

00:39:46.619 --> 00:39:46.900
 sound

00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.159
 that's

00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:47.340
 coming

00:39:47.340 --> 00:39:47.480
 out

00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:47.559
 of

00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:47.579
 the

00:39:47.579 --> 00:39:47.820
 speaker

00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:48.240
 again

00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:48.860
 and

00:39:48.860 --> 00:39:49.019
 then

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.220
 there

00:39:49.220 --> 00:39:49.500
 this

00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:49.860
 vicious

00:39:49.860 --> 00:39:50.360
 cycle

00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:50.900
 and loop

00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.260
 and it

00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:51.699
 creates

00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:52.019
 that

00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.679
 annoying

00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.380
 howling

00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:53.820
 ringing

00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.960
 deafening

00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:56.019
 sound

00:39:56.019 --> 00:39:56.300
 the

00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:56.619
 feedback

00:39:56.619 --> 00:39:57.019
 this

00:39:57.019 --> 00:40:06.000
 this

00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.039
 is

00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:06.059
 this

00:40:06.059 --> 00:40:06.139
 is

00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:06.340
 why

00:40:06.340 --> 00:40:06.539
 the

00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:06.920
 speaker

00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.239
 can't

00:40:07.239 --> 00:40:07.340
 be

00:40:07.340 --> 00:40:07.539
 too

00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:07.780
 close

00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:07.900
 to

00:40:07.900 --> 00:40:07.980
 the

00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:08.460
 microphone

00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:10.800
 like

00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.039
 guys

00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:11.259
 are

00:40:11.259 --> 00:40:11.960
 listening

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.900
 our

00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:13.320
 listening

00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:13.739
 shouldn't

00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:14.199
 be too

00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:14.639
 close

00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:14.920
 to our

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.380
 own

00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:16.039
 mouth

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:19.900
 it

00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:20.179
 shouldn't

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.300
 be

00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:20.719
 limited

00:40:20.719 --> 00:40:20.940
 to

00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:21.099
 our

00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:22.199
 voices

00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:24.139
 the

00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:24.539
 Bereans

00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:24.960
 studied

00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:25.119
 the

00:40:25.119 --> 00:40:25.340
 Bible

00:40:25.340 --> 00:40:25.519
 in

00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.000
 community

00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:26.440
 and

00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:26.599
 when

00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:26.840
 they

00:40:26.840 --> 00:40:27.199
 did

00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:27.380
 they

00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:27.739
 saw

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:27.980
 the

00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.420
 gospel

00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:28.759
 that

00:40:28.759 --> 00:40:28.980
 Paul

00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.500
 proclaimed

00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:30.199
 was

00:40:30.199 --> 00:40:30.699
 true

00:40:30.699 --> 00:40:31.559
 that it

00:40:31.559 --> 00:40:31.679
 was

00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:32.259
 consistent

00:40:32.259 --> 00:40:32.579
 with the

00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:32.860
 scriptures

00:40:32.860 --> 00:40:35.579
 and then

00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:35.860
 we see

00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:35.980
 their

00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:36.420
 response

00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:36.599
 in

00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:36.780
 verse

00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.120
 12

00:40:37.120 --> 00:40:37.680
 many

00:40:37.680 --> 00:40:37.920
 of

00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.120
 them

00:40:38.120 --> 00:40:38.680
 therefore

00:40:38.680 --> 00:40:39.440
 believed

00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:40.220
 with not

00:40:40.220 --> 00:40:40.599
 a few

00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:40.960
 Greek

00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:41.200
 women

00:40:41.200 --> 00:40:41.519
 of high

00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:41.840
 standing

00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:42.220
 as well

00:40:42.220 --> 00:40:42.380
 as

00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:42.660
 men

00:40:42.660 --> 00:40:43.380
 they

00:40:43.380 --> 00:40:44.180
 therefore

00:40:44.180 --> 00:40:45.340
 believed

00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:46.840
 because

00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:47.360
 they

00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:47.720
 searched

00:40:47.720 --> 00:40:47.900
 the

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:48.260
 scriptures

00:40:48.260 --> 00:40:49.180
 because

00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:49.559
 they

00:40:49.559 --> 00:40:49.780
 had

00:40:49.780 --> 00:40:49.940
 that

00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:50.220
 humble

00:40:50.220 --> 00:40:50.740
 disposition

00:40:50.740 --> 00:40:51.000
 toward

00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:51.280
 God's

00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.559
 word

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:52.160
 they

00:40:52.160 --> 00:40:52.519
 came

00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:52.740
 to

00:40:52.740 --> 00:40:53.240
 faith

00:40:53.240 --> 00:40:54.360
 after

00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:54.860
 determining

00:40:54.860 --> 00:40:55.120
 that

00:40:55.120 --> 00:40:55.440
 Paul

00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:55.760
 was

00:40:55.760 --> 00:40:56.240
 faithfully

00:40:56.240 --> 00:40:56.820
 claiming

00:40:56.820 --> 00:40:57.019
 the

00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:57.300
 scriptures

00:40:57.300 --> 00:40:59.079
 believing

00:40:59.079 --> 00:40:59.280
 that

00:40:59.280 --> 00:40:59.420
 the

00:40:59.420 --> 00:40:59.780
 promised

00:40:59.780 --> 00:41:00.320
 Messiah

00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:00.940
 was

00:41:00.940 --> 00:41:01.380
 Jesus

00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:02.019
 who

00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:02.260
 died

00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:02.380
 on

00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:02.500
 the

00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:02.800
 cross

00:41:02.800 --> 00:41:03.060
 and was

00:41:03.060 --> 00:41:03.300
 raised

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:03.460
 from

00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:03.580
 the

00:41:03.580 --> 00:41:03.740
 dead

00:41:03.740 --> 00:41:03.940
 would

00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:04.160
 not

00:41:04.160 --> 00:41:04.360
 have

00:41:04.360 --> 00:41:04.620
 come

00:41:04.620 --> 00:41:05.100
 naturally

00:41:05.100 --> 00:41:05.340
 for

00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:05.539
 these

00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:05.880
 Jews

00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:07.660
 it

00:41:07.660 --> 00:41:07.860
 might

00:41:07.860 --> 00:41:08.000
 have

00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:08.160
 even

00:41:08.160 --> 00:41:08.440
 seemed

00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.320
 implausible

00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:09.700
 for

00:41:09.700 --> 00:41:10.080
 most

00:41:10.080 --> 00:41:10.240
 of

00:41:10.240 --> 00:41:10.400
 them

00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:10.720
 at least

00:41:10.720 --> 00:41:11.160
 initially

00:41:11.160 --> 00:41:12.600
 because

00:41:12.600 --> 00:41:12.800
 the

00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:12.980
 Jews

00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:13.340
 were not

00:41:13.340 --> 00:41:13.880
 expecting

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.180
 the

00:41:14.180 --> 00:41:14.539
 Christ

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:14.720
 the

00:41:14.720 --> 00:41:15.100
 Messiah

00:41:15.100 --> 00:41:15.400
 to

00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:15.600
 be

00:41:15.600 --> 00:41:16.080
 crucified

00:41:16.080 --> 00:41:21.260
 but

00:41:21.260 --> 00:41:22.060
 because

00:41:22.060 --> 00:41:22.420
 this

00:41:22.420 --> 00:41:23.300
 attests

00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:23.519
 to the

00:41:23.519 --> 00:41:23.780
 humility

00:41:23.780 --> 00:41:24.060
 of the

00:41:24.060 --> 00:41:24.500
 Burians

00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.620
 when they

00:41:25.620 --> 00:41:26.000
 saw that

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:26.120
 the

00:41:26.120 --> 00:41:26.539
 Old Testament

00:41:26.539 --> 00:41:26.960
 scriptures

00:41:26.960 --> 00:41:27.580
 do

00:41:27.580 --> 00:41:28.019
 indeed

00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:28.580
 prophesy

00:41:28.580 --> 00:41:28.880
 of a

00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:29.180
 Christ

00:41:29.180 --> 00:41:29.320
 who

00:41:29.320 --> 00:41:29.440
 would

00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:29.680
 suffer

00:41:29.680 --> 00:41:30.120
 and die

00:41:30.120 --> 00:41:30.360
 and be

00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:30.640
 raised

00:41:30.640 --> 00:41:31.000
 again

00:41:31.000 --> 00:41:31.560
 they

00:41:31.560 --> 00:41:32.320
 believed

00:41:32.320 --> 00:41:32.920
 even

00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:33.300
 though

00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:33.500
 it

00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:33.840
 was

00:41:33.840 --> 00:41:34.660
 counterintuitive

00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:35.340
 and

00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.260
 countercultural

00:41:36.260 --> 00:41:36.660
 to do

00:41:36.660 --> 00:41:36.920
 something

00:41:36.920 --> 00:41:39.980
 pray that

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.320
 God would

00:41:40.320 --> 00:41:40.900
 grant all

00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.300
 of us

00:41:41.300 --> 00:41:41.940
 that same

00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:42.300
 humble

00:41:42.300 --> 00:41:42.900
 posture of

00:41:42.900 --> 00:41:43.140
 faith

00:41:43.140 --> 00:41:43.920
 for God's

00:41:43.920 --> 00:41:44.160
 word

00:41:44.159 --> 00:41:45.359
 love

00:41:45.359 --> 00:41:55.119
 you

00:41:55.179 --> 00:41:55.559
 try to

00:41:55.739 --> 00:41:56.779
 see so

00:41:56.780 --> 00:41:59.680
 depending on the hardness or the softness of the audience's heart.

00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:04.519
 For this reason, when we proclaim the gospel, we should expect conversions,

00:42:05.260 --> 00:42:07.260
 but we should also expect persecutions.

00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:11.900
 Man, these Thessalonian Jews,

00:42:12.940 --> 00:42:15.760
 they pursue Paul and Silas to Berea,

00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:18.200
 track them down,

00:42:20.540 --> 00:42:23.980
 agitate the city, turn the Jews there against them again,

00:42:24.360 --> 00:42:26.160
 so that they have to flee the city again.

00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:34.600
 But we must proclaim the word of Christ from the scriptures in spite of opposition.

00:42:35.820 --> 00:42:37.800
 It's not because we worship the Bible,

00:42:39.180 --> 00:42:42.220
 it's not because we believe that the Bible itself saves us,

00:42:42.820 --> 00:42:50.160
 but because 2 Timothy 3.15 tells us that the scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

00:42:52.140 --> 00:42:55.660
 God's word is able to make us wise for salvation,

00:42:55.659 --> 00:42:58.219
 the Bible itself doesn't save us,

00:42:58.319 --> 00:43:01.759
 but the Bible leads us to Jesus who alone can save us.

00:43:02.619 --> 00:43:08.199
 The scripture is where the gospel of Jesus is recorded permanently and preserved reliably.

00:43:08.199 --> 00:43:12.779
 It helps us to know the one who died for our sins,

00:43:12.779 --> 00:43:15.919
 who paid the penalty that we deserved,

00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:19.819
 who bore the wrath that we incurred.

00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:24.960
 Jesus who gladly laid down his life for us,

00:43:25.099 --> 00:43:25.819
 to save us,

00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:28.259
 it is in the word that we need him.

00:43:28.260 --> 00:43:32.160
 In the word we get to know him,

00:43:32.660 --> 00:43:33.560
 to hear him.

00:43:37.220 --> 00:43:38.820
 So let's proclaim the word together.

00:43:40.580 --> 00:43:41.400
 Heavenly Father,

00:43:41.520 --> 00:43:46.000
 we ask that you would grant us this humble faith.

00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:59.420
 that our lives might be so conformed to your word,

00:43:59.960 --> 00:44:01.059
 to your word,

00:44:01.760 --> 00:44:05.039
 that in our lives we might

00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:10.340
 announce to the world the worship of Jesus,

00:44:10.340 --> 00:44:13.600
 that we might show our true colors

00:44:13.600 --> 00:44:18.340
 for your glory.

00:44:21.740 --> 00:44:22.860
 In Jesus' name we are.

00:44:23.800 --> 00:44:24.220
 Amen.

00:44:25.059 --> 00:44:25.400
 Amen.

00:44:25.400 --> 00:44:25.820
 Amen.

00:44:25.820 --> 00:44:26.380
 Amen.

00:44:26.380 --> 00:44:26.420
 Amen.

00:44:26.420 --> 00:44:26.800
 Amen.

00:44:26.800 --> 00:44:27.420
 Amen.

00:44:27.420 --> 00:44:28.440
 Amen.

00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:28.519
 Amen.

00:44:28.519 --> 00:44:28.900
 Amen.

00:44:28.900 --> 00:44:29.059
 Amen.

00:44:29.059 --> 00:44:29.519
 Amen.

00:44:29.519 --> 00:44:30.380
 Amen.

00:44:30.380 --> 00:44:30.519
 Amen.

00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:30.620
 Amen.

00:44:30.620 --> 00:44:30.860
 Amen.

00:44:30.860 --> 00:44:31.019
 Amen.