WEBVTT

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 It's been a while since we've been in the Acts of the Apostles.

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 We'll continue on in this series until Lent.

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 We'll have a Lenten series and then into Easter.

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 And then I think we're back in Acts after that.

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 We have these scripture journals.

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 Feel free to grab one at any time or a Bible if there's actual the blue color Bibles.

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 I think they're back there as well.

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 If you don't have one of these, it is our gift to you.

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 It has scripture on one side, lined paper for notes on the other.

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 I'm going to ask the Lord's blessing and we'll open up his word together.

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 Father, as always, we ask that we will be people that are under your word,

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 submitting to your word because they are your words, your ways, your instructions,

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 your revelation to us about what salvation truly is and how we ought to live in light of that.

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 Lord, all too often we are tempted with making the scriptures fit our own lives.

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 But Lord, we ask for your grace that we will not be the type of people that try to bend and manipulate your word.

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 So Lord, as we dig into Acts 8, we ask your blessing this morning by your spirit.

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 In Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 So as I said, it's been some time since we've been in Acts.

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 A bit of a recap.

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 The Jesus, the risen Jesus, he meets with his followers, his apostles.

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 He commissions them to spread the gospel, not just to Jerusalem, but to Judea, to Samaria,

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 and then he says to the ends of the earth.

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 He ascends up and then the Holy Spirit descends down.

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 And now the previously cowardly, weak-kneed apostles are imbued with the power of God himself

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 and proclaim the gospel across Jerusalem.

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 They suffer also for it.

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 They were brought before the Sanhedrin.

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 That is the ruling religious body of the land.

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 And on two occasions, they were strictly forbidden to preach the gospel of Christ.

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 In both cases, they were beaten.

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 And then finally, I'm skipping some chunks here, but finally in chapter 7,

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 that would have been our last Sunday in Acts,

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 Stephen was martyred.

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 He was killed.

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 He was stoned to death.

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 And that is where we pick up the story.

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 So we're going to look at Acts chapter 8,

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 and we're going to look at three points that are going to lead us through this chapter.

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 The first is that we're going to see that there's opposition,

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 and that this opposition to the gospel is both inevitable and invaluable.

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 The second is that proclamation of the gospel that will come from opposition to the gospel,

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 it both destroys historic hostilities and unites unlikely people.

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 And then the third and final point is that acceptance of the gospel does two things.

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 It both delivers and disrupts the people that hear.

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 So we're going to jump right into it.

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 If you have one of these sermon journals,

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 sermon journals, scripture journals,

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 I'm looking at Acts 8 on page 46.

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 So Christ was opposed throughout his ministry.

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 This is nothing new.

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 Constantly, his message was accepted,

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 and then it was rejected.

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 People opened their doors to him.

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 The authorities tried to snuff him out.

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 This was a constant for Jesus,

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 and it would be a constant also for his church.

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 Why?

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 Because Jesus' church, as Jesus himself did,

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 shone light in the darkness,

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 and when you do that,

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 you expose the reality of what's there in the shadows.

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 It exposes the real self

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 and forces the hearer to decide

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 whether they are going to remain in the darkness

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 or see life for what it really is

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 and throw themselves at the mercy of God.

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 Chapter 8 picks up where chapter 7 ends,

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 and we see this opposition continue with the church,

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 continue on after Stephen's martyr.

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 And this is what it says, verses 1 to 3.

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 And Saul approved of his execution.

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 I mean, you could even put verse 1,

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 that one line up in chapter 7.

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 It would make sense.

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 It continues on the story.

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 And Saul, who held the cloaks of the murderers of Stephen,

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 approved of Stephen's execution.

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 And there arose on that day,

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 that's Stephen's execution,

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 a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem.

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 And they were all scattered throughout the regions

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 of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

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 Devout men buried Stephen

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 and made great lamentation over him.

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 But Saul was ravaging the church

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 and entering house after house.

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 He dragged off men and women

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 and committed them to prison.

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 The persecution happens not just against the apostles now,

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 but it is against the whole church.

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 Anybody who confesses Christ as Lord.

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 It is so bad that there are the scattering of people.

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 The apostle Paul here,

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 or the apostle Paul,

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 Saul, who would be the apostle Paul,

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 it says he ravages the church.

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 It's hard to kind of understand this language

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 because persecution sounds pretty much like

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 he's like a ravaging of the church.

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 But think of it like persecution

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 that is heightened,

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 that it's on steroids,

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 that sees red,

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 that has a bloodlust.

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 There's persecution that is deeply personal.

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 And this seems to be what is happening with the church.

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 So they scatter.

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 Sometimes it's very appropriate

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 to flee persecution.

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 Other times, we are called to stay.

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 And throughout Acts,

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 at least up to where we've gotten,

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 there doesn't appear to be

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 a prescriptive command telling us what to do.

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 Whether we stay or whether we flee.

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 What is told us to do

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 is that we do not deny Christ.

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 But in this case,

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 where the church scatters,

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 there isn't any implication

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 that they are sinning against God by fleeing.

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 They are scattered.

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 There is a great persecution.

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 And so they run.

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 It's interesting because Stephen did not flee.

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 Maybe he didn't have the chance to flee.

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 Maybe he did.

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 The fact is, he didn't.

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 Both cases, whether it be Stephen,

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 who stayed and died,

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 or the church that scattered and fled and lived,

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 in both situations,

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 they're talked about in a positive light.

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 And with the flight of the church

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 comes an invaluable opportunity.

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 And this is where opposition can be invaluable to the gospel.

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 We see it in verse 4.

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 Now when those who were scattered went about preaching,

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 sorry, now those who were scattered

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 went about preaching the word.

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 And trying to quench the Holy Spirit,

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 destroy the church,

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 Satan only provides the very means

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 by which the Spirit will connect

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 and touch even more people.

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 Again, I've talked about it in previous weeks.

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 God often uses the plans against him

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 to thwart the people that try to destroy him or his church.

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 He flips the bad, evil, diabolical plans on their head.

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 And that becomes the very means by which he accomplishes his goal.

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 And this is what we see here.

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 The scattering in verse 1 and 4,

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 it's the same language used of a farmer

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 having a bag of seed

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 and grabbing handfuls liberally

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 and just tossing it.

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 Walking to and fro the field,

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 tossing liberally.

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 Seed everywhere.

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 As the people are scattered,

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 so they share the faith.

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 This is the case in Acts 8,

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 but it's also been the case through Christian history.

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 Many of you would be familiar with Hudson Taylor,

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 the great missionary in the China Inland Mission

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 in the 19th century.

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 What he spearheaded continued to grow and grow and grow

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 until in 1949,

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 Mao's Communist Party defeated the national government

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 and all 600 plus missionaries were expelled.

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 Great fear and tragedy fell upon the mission agencies

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 and the missionaries themselves

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 thinking all of their decades of hard work would be lost.

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 And yet what ended up happening,

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 a third of those missionaries were spread

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 with lessons learned and experience had

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 across Southeast Asia and parts of Japan.

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 And then the indigenous church in China grew

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 in strength and in number.

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 And nobody knows for certain

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 how many Christians are in China,

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 but some estimates are over 100 million Christians in China.

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 When the enemy tries to destroy the church,

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 it provides an invaluable opportunity

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 for the church to grow.

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 It's been like that from the very beginning.

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 But it's not only opposition that affords opportunities

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 to share the faith,

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 but it provides invaluable opportunities

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 to identify with Christ,

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 to suffer like Christ for Christ.

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 Something that will bolster

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 not just our faith,

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 but the faith of those around us.

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 I mean, I mentioned Hudson Taylor,

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 but we have stories throughout Christian history

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 of martyrs,

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 St. Perpetua,

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 Ignatius of Antioch,

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 John Wycliffe,

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 even Jim Elliot.

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 All martyrs

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 who were put in a situation

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 where their faith rose up

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 and their stories were told

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 that bolster our faith today.

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 Such stories have fed Christians

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 the world over

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 for centuries.

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 Not Jim Elliot,

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 because he died in the 50s.

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 But nevertheless,

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 the stories of strong faith

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 in the face of opposition.

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 The testimony of God's people.

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 It is food for our soul.

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 There's little to no chance

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 that we will suffer here in Canada.

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 Physical persecution, I mean,

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 on the streets and suburbs

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 here in Ottawa.

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 But many of you

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 face opposition

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 for holding to the truth of Christ,

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 especially when you feel pressure

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 to conform

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 and celebrate things

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 that are contrary

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 to the faith

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 that we hold dear.

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 The obvious example

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 is Pride Month

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 or Pride Season.

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 The pressure to conform

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 in little ways,

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 in big ways,

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 or suffer career stagnation

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 or even termination.

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 It's very real.

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 I don't suffer this way

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 as a minister.

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 You do.

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 You guys have it,

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 and I mean this,

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 I don't want to say

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 infinitely harder

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 than I do,

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 but incredibly harder

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 than I do.

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 And I pray for you

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 because it is tough,

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 it is difficult

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 to navigate

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 secular jobs

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 and stay true

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 to the faith

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 that you hold dear.

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 But remember,

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 with opposition

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 comes opportunity

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 to bear witness,

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 to grow in our faith.

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 And whatever you may lose

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 for standing for Christ,

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 I don't want to say

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 that you will gain even more,

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 but my goodness,

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 your soul will be free

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 and you will love Christ

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 in deeper measure.

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 And maybe people

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 will come into the kingdom

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 at the very least,

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 your joy

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 will overflow in Christ.

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 But it will not be

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 for your joy only,

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 for we will see

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 in this next section

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 that the proclamation

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 of the gospel,

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 it always has the effect

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 of breaking down

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 walls of division

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 and hostilities,

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 uniting those

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 who would otherwise

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 be enemies.

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 And in short,

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 the proclamation

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 of the gospel

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 makes one church

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 made up of many members.

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 Look with me,

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 verses 5 to 8.

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 Philip went down

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 to the city of Samaria

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 and proclaimed to them

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 the Christ.

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 And the crowds

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 with one accord

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 paid attention

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 to what was being said

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 by Philip

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 when they heard him

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 and saw the signs

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 that he did.

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 For unclean spirits

00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.300
 crying out

00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:51.100
 with a loud voice

00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.500
 came out of many

00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.860
 who had them

00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:56.000
 and many who were paralyzed

00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.139
 or lame were healed.

00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:59.159
 So there was much joy

00:12:59.159 --> 00:12:59.700
 in the city.

00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:02.039
 The significance of Samaria

00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:02.759
 in our text

00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.420
 is twofold.

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.399
 The first is that

00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.139
 the risen Christ

00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:06.940
 told the disciples

00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.420
 that they would

00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.180
 bear witness

00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:09.639
 to not just Jerusalem

00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:11.639
 but Judea and Samaria.

00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.159
 And here we have

00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:15.720
 that commission

00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:17.019
 taking place

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.519
 that Jesus' words

00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.279
 didn't fall flat.

00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:20.060
 But the second thing

00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:21.519
 that's significant

00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.019
 is that

00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.820
 there had been

00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:24.180
 a millennia-long

00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.060
 hostility

00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:26.159
 between the Jews

00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.460
 and the inhabitants

00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.379
 of Samaria

00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:29.940
 and it dates

00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:30.840
 all the way back

00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.940
 to when the United Kingdom

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.000
 of Israel separated.

00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:36.980
 And the ten northern tribes

00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.840
 became their own kingdom

00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.920
 and they turned away

00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:39.520
 from Jerusalem

00:13:39.520 --> 00:13:41.120
 and two tribes

00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.280
 remained loyal

00:13:42.280 --> 00:13:44.100
 to Jerusalem,

00:13:44.780 --> 00:13:45.900
 to David's line.

00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:48.140
 By the time

00:13:48.140 --> 00:13:48.760
 the first century

00:13:48.760 --> 00:13:49.460
 comes around,

00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.640
 Samaritans were

00:13:50.640 --> 00:13:51.460
 a distinct people.

00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.180
 They were not quite Jews

00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.980
 nor were they pagan Gentiles

00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.680
 but they were despised

00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.180
 by all.

00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.480
 Even the disciples

00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:02.639
 despised Samaritans.

00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.360
 If you remember,

00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.740
 maybe you don't,

00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.560
 it was a long time

00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:06.180
 when we looked at

00:14:06.180 --> 00:14:07.200
 Luke chapter 9,

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.899
 John and James

00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.980
 but especially John

00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.879
 which is significant

00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.620
 and we'll get to it

00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.019
 in a bit.

00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.920
 John calls for

00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.840
 hellfire

00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:16.180
 to fall down

00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:17.320
 and consume Samaria.

00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:19.039
 Not just,

00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.220
 let's not go to Samaria,

00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:21.440
 I don't like those people.

00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.560
 God,

00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.300
 Jesus,

00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:25.040
 wipe them out.

00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.840
 Now,

00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.540
 they hear

00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:32.700
 the gospel

00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:33.780
 from Philip.

00:14:34.400 --> 00:14:36.560
 They see the confirming signs.

00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:38.280
 They believed

00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:39.180
 and were baptized.

00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.000
 And now,

00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.860
 as we see

00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.640
 in verse 8,

00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.460
 there was much joy

00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.140
 in that city.

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.520
 We'll continue

00:14:47.520 --> 00:14:48.960
 verses 14 to 17.

00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:53.580
 Now,

00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:54.220
 when the apostles

00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:54.900
 at Jerusalem

00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:56.000
 heard that Samaria

00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:56.620
 had received

00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.320
 the word of God,

00:14:58.140 --> 00:14:58.860
 they sent to them

00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.800
 Peter and John

00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.940
 who came down

00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.680
 and prayed for them

00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:03.100
 that they might receive

00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.740
 the Holy Spirit.

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.840
 Notice that John

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.380
 is mentioned.

00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:06.540
 Didn't he,

00:15:06.800 --> 00:15:07.300
 in Luke 9,

00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:08.780
 call for their annihilation?

00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:10.640
 Change hearts

00:15:10.640 --> 00:15:11.380
 all around here.

00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.600
 John is coming

00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:14.120
 along with Peter

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.820
 to lay their hands

00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.040
 on them.

00:15:16.260 --> 00:15:17.460
 For he had,

00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.600
 for the Holy Spirit

00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.500
 had not yet fallen

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.220
 on any of them

00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.580
 but they had only

00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.120
 been baptized

00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.860
 in the name

00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.899
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.560
 Then they laid

00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.320
 their hands on them

00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.160
 and they received

00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:28.060
 the Holy Spirit.

00:15:29.060 --> 00:15:29.620
 The apostles

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.440
 in Jerusalem

00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:31.180
 as a sign

00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:31.779
 of approval

00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.519
 and acceptance

00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:34.000
 and a right hand,

00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.540
 so to speak,

00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.180
 of fellowship

00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:37.379
 sent Peter

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.019
 and John

00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.960
 to lay hands

00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:41.019
 on the Samaritans

00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:41.879
 and bless them.

00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:43.980
 And like I mentioned,

00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:44.800
 John,

00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:47.120
 the genocidal apostle,

00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:47.980
 maybe that should be

00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.860
 his name in history,

00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:50.779
 is there

00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.440
 and he's not

00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.460
 genocidal any longer.

00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.159
 He is blessing

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.840
 and extending

00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.960
 fellowship

00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:59.320
 to the Samaritans.

00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.460
 And we see here

00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.100
 in Christ

00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.080
 a millennia long

00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.740
 hostility

00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.860
 is erased

00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.580
 and in a sense

00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.840
 a divided kingdom

00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.899
 after a thousand

00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.740
 years of division

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.899
 is no longer

00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:11.399
 divided.

00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.159
 But now

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.680
 it is not

00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:15.779
 in the same way

00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.560
 that Israel

00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.679
 looked

00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.099
 where it was

00:16:18.099 --> 00:16:19.839
 just a group

00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:21.479
 of ethnicities

00:16:21.479 --> 00:16:22.000
 broken up

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.819
 into twelve tribes

00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:23.399
 but now

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.259
 the kingdom

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.439
 was expanding.

00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:27.079
 It expanded

00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:28.019
 from Jerusalem

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.719
 into Judea.

00:16:29.859 --> 00:16:30.359
 Now it was

00:16:30.359 --> 00:16:30.679
 going to hit

00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.299
 the Samaritans.

00:16:31.479 --> 00:16:32.159
 Soon we will see

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.639
 especially

00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.899
 starting in the next

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.319
 chapter

00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.219
 and the chapters

00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.699
 to come

00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:37.099
 that that gospel,

00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:38.239
 that nation,

00:16:38.359 --> 00:16:38.859
 that kingdom

00:16:38.859 --> 00:16:40.139
 will expand out

00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.559
 and expand out

00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.179
 into all

00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:43.119
 the known worlds.

00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.460
 we actually

00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.299
 get a glimpse

00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:46.620
 of it

00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.360
 in the next

00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.840
 portion of

00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.279
 chapter 8

00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.279
 when Philip

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.700
 evangelizes

00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.720
 to the Ethiopian

00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.399
 eunuch

00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:54.139
 as a sign

00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.799
 of what was

00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.240
 to come.

00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.060
 Here,

00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.600
 in short,

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.200
 in God's church

00:16:59.200 --> 00:16:59.679
 there are no

00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.639
 second class citizens.

00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.039
 Anything that

00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.779
 divides

00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.759
 ethnicity,

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.299
 culture,

00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.259
 gender,

00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:08.759
 rich,

00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.259
 poor,

00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:09.920
 wherever you

00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.559
 may be,

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.779
 as the apostle

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.379
 Paul says

00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:12.879
 in Galatians

00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:13.599
 chapter 3,

00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.000
 for as many

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.679
 of you

00:17:15.679 --> 00:17:17.000
 as were baptized

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.079
 into Christ

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.839
 have put on

00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.259
 Christ.

00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.839
 Verse 28,

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.419
 there is neither

00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:22.539
 Jew nor Greek,

00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.740
 slave nor free,

00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:25.579
 there is no

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:27.220
 male and female

00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.319
 for you are all

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.179
 one in Christ.

00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.319
 Paul isn't saying

00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:30.839
 that those

00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:32.019
 categories don't

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.440
 exist,

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:32.899
 but that

00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:34.079
 there is an

00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.639
 equal

00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:38.200
 place for all,

00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:38.960
 that there is

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.100
 no adult

00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:41.920
 table and

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.640
 kids table

00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.059
 in the

00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.480
 kingdom of

00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:43.779
 God.

00:17:46.600 --> 00:17:47.440
 Only the

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.079
 gospel can

00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.759
 repair what

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.860
 is irreparable

00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:50.500
 by human

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.019
 standards.

00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.140
 The real

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.500
 conflict is

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.860
 found not

00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:58.180
 in geopolitics,

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.440
 not in the

00:17:59.440 --> 00:17:59.920
 economy,

00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:02.180
 but in the

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.819
 human heart.

00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.840
 Alexander

00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.840
 Solzhenitsyn

00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:07.900
 says very

00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.420
 famously,

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.539
 the line

00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.140
 separating

00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:10.660
 good and

00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.299
 evil passes

00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:11.740
 not through

00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.480
 states nor

00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.759
 between

00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.220
 classes,

00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.220
 nor between

00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.779
 political

00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.039
 parties either,

00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:17.640
 but right

00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.819
 through every

00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.740
 human heart

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.799
 and through

00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.299
 all human

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.660
 hearts.

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.160
 And how

00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:23.460
 do you

00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.660
 repair a

00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.360
 heart that

00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.400
 is full of

00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:26.640
 evil?

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.299
 You need a

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.920
 new heart.

00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.079
 And that

00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.440
 is what

00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.299
 Christ does,

00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.740
 that is what

00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.319
 the gospel

00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.940
 of Christ

00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.140
 will do.

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:35.240
 That is

00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.920
 why schism

00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.540
 and division

00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:37.900
 among the

00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:38.880
 church of

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.520
 Christ is

00:18:39.520 --> 00:18:39.800
 such an

00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.300
 affront to

00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:40.720
 the gospel

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.600
 because it

00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:42.140
 seeks to

00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:42.820
 separate what

00:18:42.820 --> 00:18:43.280
 God has

00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:43.900
 brought together.

00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.640
 The church

00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:45.960
 is not

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.600
 unified in

00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.100
 our world.

00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:47.800
 It is

00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:48.160
 something we

00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:48.440
 ought to

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:48.940
 pray for.

00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.720
 In fact,

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:53.400
 we stand

00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:53.680
 on the

00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.299
 shoulders of

00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.100
 many people

00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:56.480
 that left

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.079
 the Anglican

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.460
 Church of

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.720
 Canada over

00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.240
 10 years

00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.000
 ago because

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.319
 of the

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:01.700
 presenting

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.380
 issue was

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:02.860
 the acceptance

00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:03.620
 of same-sex

00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:04.000
 blessing,

00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.460
 but really

00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:04.880
 it was a

00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.539
 departure from

00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.039
 the scriptures.

00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:07.620
 And we

00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.360
 see that

00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.160
 separation

00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:10.279
 and a lot

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.600
 of people

00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.880
 accuse what

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.339
 we're a part

00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.720
 of now as

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.200
 a denomination

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.220
 of schismatics.

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.059
 We are

00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.460
 not.

00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.720
 We have

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.400
 held to

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.140
 Orthodoxy,

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.500
 but for

00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.220
 15 plus

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.640
 years before

00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.060
 Anik was

00:19:25.060 --> 00:19:25.560
 created,

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.640
 before these

00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.000
 number of

00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.540
 churches left

00:19:28.540 --> 00:19:29.019
 the Anglican

00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.380
 Church of

00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.680
 Canada,

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.519
 there was

00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.100
 15,

00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.880
 20 years

00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:33.400
 of hard

00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.000
 work across

00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.680
 the country

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.120
 calling the

00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:37.500
 Anglican

00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:37.820
 Church of

00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.460
 Canada back

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.360
 to Orthodoxy,

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.400
 back to

00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.340
 her first

00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:41.740
 love,

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.019
 pleading,

00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:43.940
 begging,

00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:44.940
 wrestling,

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.660
 arguing,

00:19:48.280 --> 00:19:48.900
 trying to

00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.500
 avoid

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.940
 seeing a

00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.420
 separation

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:51.839
 of what

00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.400
 Christ

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.400
 had

00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.160
 united.

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.339
 How do

00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:57.839
 we fight

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.380
 against

00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.299
 the

00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.599
 perennial

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.180
 temptation

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.740
 to drift

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.839
 from God's

00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.240
 gospel?

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.599
 If that is

00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:04.920
 the thing

00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.619
 that separates,

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.180
 how do we

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.920
 avoid that?

00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.880
 Jude tells us

00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.480
 in verse 3

00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.960
 of his short

00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.160
 letter,

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.519
 and this is

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.720
 what he

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.019
 says,

00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.259
 beloved,

00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.379
 although I

00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:13.740
 was very

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.379
 eager to

00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.740
 write to

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.079
 you about

00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.539
 our common

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.039
 salvation,

00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.400
 I found

00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.000
 it necessary

00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.539
 to write

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.619
 appealing to

00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:18.839
 you,

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.400
 here it is,

00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.180
 to contend

00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.559
 for the

00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.599
 faith that

00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.059
 was once

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.440
 for all

00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.000
 delivered to

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.460
 the saints.

00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.019
 We never

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.379
 can,

00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.240
 if we want

00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.559
 to contend

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:29.799
 for the

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.019
 faith,

00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.500
 we can

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.279
 never stop

00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.379
 hearing and

00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:33.119
 valuing and

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.680
 applying and

00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.279
 contending for

00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.720
 the gospel.

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.859
 We can never

00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.299
 treat the

00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.339
 gospel as the

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.000
 front door,

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.900
 now we're

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:41.279
 into the

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.900
 Christian faith

00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.200
 and that's

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.700
 kind of like

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.859
 junior varsity,

00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.299
 we're on to

00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:46.619
 the bigger

00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.099
 things.

00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.660
 That's

00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.119
 kindergarten,

00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:48.940
 we're on to

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.579
 grade school

00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:49.960
 and high

00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.299
 school.

00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.460
 The gospel

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.140
 is every

00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.819
 part of

00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.400
 the faith

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.799
 and we

00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.079
 need to

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.599
 feed on

00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:55.740
 it,

00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.119
 to come

00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.640
 to Christ

00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.079
 daily.

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.500
 And how

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:57.680
 do we

00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.119
 do that?

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.380
 By confessing

00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.000
 our sins,

00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.299
 by looking

00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:01.680
 to him,

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.480
 by fellowshipping,

00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:02.980
 doing what

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.500
 we are doing

00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.460
 today,

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.720
 by being

00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.700
 very,

00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.160
 very,

00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.619
 very aggressive

00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.379
 by God's

00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:09.579
 help,

00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:09.899
 by the

00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.479
 Holy Spirit's

00:21:10.479 --> 00:21:10.659
 help,

00:21:10.979 --> 00:21:11.479
 to put

00:21:11.479 --> 00:21:12.259
 away darkness

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.639
 in our

00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:12.959
 life,

00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.000
 to not

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.619
 think we've

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.159
 arrived.

00:21:17.439 --> 00:21:18.039
 So,

00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.639
 we see

00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.259
 that the

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.699
 gospel,

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.099
 when it is

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.639
 opposed,

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.719
 it provides

00:21:23.719 --> 00:21:24.479
 opportunities

00:21:24.479 --> 00:21:26.759
 for growth.

00:21:26.939 --> 00:21:27.439
 We see

00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:28.379
 that when

00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:29.119
 the gospel

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.639
 is proclaimed,

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.619
 that

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:35.339
 hostility

00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.639
 and division

00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.439
 is broken

00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:37.899
 down.

00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.279
 But when

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.799
 the gospel

00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.519
 is accepted,

00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.959
 we see

00:21:41.959 --> 00:21:42.639
 two things,

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.339
 deliverance,

00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.059
 but we

00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.939
 also see

00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:46.839
 confrontation.

00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.339
 Look with

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:48.779
 me at

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.219
 Simon,

00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.479
 starting in

00:21:50.479 --> 00:21:51.079
 verse 9

00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.359
 and on

00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:52.919
 to 13.

00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.639
 That's what

00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.059
 it says.

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.919
 But there

00:21:56.919 --> 00:21:57.459
 was a man

00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.059
 named Simon

00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.919
 who had

00:21:58.919 --> 00:21:59.359
 previously

00:21:59.359 --> 00:21:59.819
 practiced

00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.419
 magic in

00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:00.739
 the city

00:22:00.739 --> 00:22:01.319
 and amazed

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.779
 the people

00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.339
 of Samaria,

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.500
 saying that

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.119
 he himself

00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.559
 was somebody

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:04.939
 great.

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.400
 they all

00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:06.980
 paid attention

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.420
 to him

00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.019
 from the

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.420
 least to

00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:08.860
 the greatest,

00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:09.440
 saying,

00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:10.620
 this man

00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:10.960
 is the

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.480
 power of

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.039
 God that

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.440
 is called

00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.900
 great.

00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:13.880
 And they

00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.380
 paid attention

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:14.820
 to him

00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.660
 because for

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.259
 a long

00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.840
 time he

00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.539
 had amazed

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.940
 them with

00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.500
 his magic.

00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.779
 But when

00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.380
 they believed

00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.440
 Philip as

00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.880
 he preached

00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.480
 good news

00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.620
 about the

00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.039
 kingdom of

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.500
 God in

00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:24.840
 the name

00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.259
 of Jesus

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.600
 Christ,

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:25.920
 they were

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.299
 baptized,

00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.820
 both men

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.200
 and women.

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.340
 Even

00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.220
 Simon himself

00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.600
 believed.

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.119
 And after

00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.759
 being baptized

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.500
 he continued

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.039
 with Philip

00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.559
 and seeing

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.199
 signs and

00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:34.740
 great miracles

00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.219
 performed,

00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:36.000
 he was

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.579
 amazed.

00:22:37.919 --> 00:22:38.579
 You see,

00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.059
 the problem

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.559
 with false

00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:41.099
 religion is

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.559
 not just

00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:41.879
 that it

00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.619
 is untrue,

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.679
 but it

00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.279
 is deeply

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.099
 deceptive

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.759
 and harmful.

00:22:47.439 --> 00:22:47.839
 Simon

00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.539
 here,

00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.139
 you don't

00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:51.799
 know exactly

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:53.459
 who he

00:22:53.459 --> 00:22:53.859
 kind of

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.240
 fashioned

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.099
 himself as,

00:22:55.219 --> 00:22:56.480
 but through

00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.139
 history and

00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.939
 tradition,

00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.920
 we know

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.240
 that the

00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.059
 Samaritans,

00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.360
 although they

00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:02.940
 held to the

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.440
 first five

00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:03.860
 books of

00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.200
 Moses,

00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.180
 they had a

00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.980
 whole tapestry

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.660
 of beliefs

00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.900
 and a part

00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.680
 of that was

00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:12.519
 this prophecy

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:14.180
 that a

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.779
 messianic

00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.440
 prophet would

00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.080
 come named

00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:16.900
 Tahib.

00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.360
 And it

00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.000
 appears that

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.380
 Simon styled

00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.519
 himself as

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.140
 that prophet

00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.779
 and he

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.440
 deceived many.

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:23.980
 It says from

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.019
 the oldest

00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.740
 to the youngest,

00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.200
 the implication

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.600
 here is that

00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.620
 all Samaria

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:30.579
 was following

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.299
 this man.

00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.399
 And we

00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.339
 see a bit

00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.859
 later on

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.759
 that he

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.219
 was doing

00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:35.719
 this not

00:23:35.719 --> 00:23:36.159
 because he

00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:36.479
 thought he

00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:36.899
 was doing

00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.439
 good for

00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:37.839
 the people,

00:23:37.959 --> 00:23:38.299
 but because

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.619
 it brought

00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:38.939
 him great

00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:39.739
 power and

00:23:39.739 --> 00:23:39.979
 wealth.

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.479
 He was

00:23:42.479 --> 00:23:43.179
 motivated by

00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:43.879
 power and

00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.139
 money,

00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:46.219
 especially as

00:23:46.219 --> 00:23:47.459
 he is

00:23:47.459 --> 00:23:48.000
 trying to

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.619
 buy that

00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.079
 spiritual

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.739
 authority in

00:23:49.739 --> 00:23:50.139
 that next

00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:50.659
 section we'll

00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.819
 see from

00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.779
 the apostles.

00:23:54.919 --> 00:23:55.479
 Simon held

00:23:55.479 --> 00:23:56.119
 the people in

00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:57.000
 spiritual bondage.

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.700
 And oftentimes

00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.680
 spiritual bondage

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.160
 looks something

00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.599
 like this,

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.400
 not an exhaustive

00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:01.700
 list.

00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:02.900
 You have to

00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.700
 work hard to

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.480
 achieve various

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.519
 levels as you

00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.460
 hope to one

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.079
 day gain

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.680
 salvation.

00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.099
 Spiritual bondage

00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.759
 looks like this.

00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.599
 You have to

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.180
 give and give

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.420
 and give and

00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.359
 give to gain

00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.359
 access to

00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.640
 spiritual

00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.140
 enlightenment.

00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:21.319
 If it's

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.000
 granted to you.

00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.099
 Or maybe

00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.900
 spiritual bondage

00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.240
 looks like

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.560
 this.

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:25.660
 You must

00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.180
 sacrifice

00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:28.180
 things and

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.740
 people that

00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.300
 are dear to

00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:30.140
 you to

00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.780
 curry favor,

00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.340
 to grow,

00:24:31.540 --> 00:24:32.000
 whether that's

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.640
 to grow crops

00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.100
 or to make

00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.680
 money or to

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.180
 live well.

00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:35.640
 We look at

00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.640
 that list and

00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.240
 we think of

00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.920
 pagan religion

00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:39.019
 but not much

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.580
 has changed in

00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:39.920
 our day.

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.980
 False religion

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.460
 spiritually

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:46.720
 manipulates and

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.400
 puts people in

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.940
 bondage.

00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:49.320
 It always

00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.160
 demands more

00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.560
 than we can

00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:51.220
 give and takes

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.700
 more than we

00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.100
 can have.

00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:54.480
 Many of us

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.279
 used to be a

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.959
 part of a

00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.619
 church that

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.699
 had deep

00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.259
 ties to

00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.859
 Jericho Road

00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.139
 and I

00:24:59.139 --> 00:25:00.740
 remember a

00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.399
 friend who

00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.339
 was clean

00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.119
 for years

00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.559
 and years

00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.099
 over a

00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.419
 decade.

00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.899
 He described

00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:07.399
 what it was

00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.859
 like to

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:11.179
 live in

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.959
 addiction

00:25:11.959 --> 00:25:13.159
 and he

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.980
 described it

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.059
 as always

00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.139
 chasing after

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:17.299
 the first

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.619
 high.

00:25:18.719 --> 00:25:19.179
 Other people

00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:19.879
 call it chasing

00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.740
 the dragon but

00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.240
 always desperate

00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.940
 to get that

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.420
 first high so

00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.099
 that you're

00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.859
 going into

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.519
 every time

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.019
 you're using

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.059
 with this

00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.740
 massive hope

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.059
 that it's

00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.400
 going to give

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:30.960
 you everything

00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.579
 you need but

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.480
 every time

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.539
 you take a

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.519
 hit it

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:34.859
 leaves you

00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.640
 more destitute

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.000
 and more

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:38.440
 broken and

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:40.299
 more in

00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.880
 bondage.

00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.259
 False religion

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.759
 is like that.

00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.299
 It promises

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.759
 a lot.

00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.200
 It promises

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.759
 enlightenment.

00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.420
 It promises

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.579
 joy but it

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.680
 never ever

00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:50.640
 delivers.

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.259
 Verse 12

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.700
 this is what

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.220
 true freedom

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.759
 looks like.

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.160
 But when the

00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:58.299
 people believed

00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.180
 Philip as he

00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.740
 preached good

00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.480
 news about the

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.259
 kingdom of God

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.080
 and the name

00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:02.820
 of Jesus Christ

00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:03.120
 they were

00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.940
 baptized both

00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.279
 men and

00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.259
 women even

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.140
 Simon himself

00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.960
 and then

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.840
 the

00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.960
 the

00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.299
 oh

00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.320
 previously in

00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:11.620
 verse

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.500
 verse 8

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.580
 it says

00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.180
 there was much

00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.840
 joy in the

00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.080
 city.

00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:17.420
 That is what

00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.019
 true freedom

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.559
 looks like.

00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.220
 In the

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.859
 gospel you

00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.480
 are made

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.859
 free.

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.099
 Not by your

00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.819
 own doing or

00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.259
 your own

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.960
 giving or

00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.359
 your own

00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:28.139
 sacrifice but

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.839
 by the doing

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.680
 and giving and

00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.420
 sacrifice of

00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:30.779
 Christ.

00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.279
 Our job is to

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.160
 confess that we

00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.879
 can do nothing.

00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.599
 That is that's

00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.139
 our job.

00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.099
 It really is to

00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.599
 come empty

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.680
 handed to

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.379
 admit that we

00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.160
 are broken and

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.779
 we are hopeless

00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:42.539
 and that our

00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.319
 only hope in

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.920
 life and death

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.460
 is Christ

00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.240
 alone Christ

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.660
 alone.

00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:48.120
 It is so

00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.779
 powerful this

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.540
 true religion

00:26:50.540 --> 00:26:51.200
 this true

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.320
 faith Christ

00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.940
 on the cross

00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.700
 that even

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.920
 Simon can be

00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.259
 forgiven.

00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.279
 Although we

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.820
 are saved by

00:26:58.820 --> 00:27:00.640
 Christ the

00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.400
 gospel also

00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.040
 disrupts our

00:27:02.040 --> 00:27:02.560
 life because

00:27:02.560 --> 00:27:04.320
 Simon here he

00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.060
 is seeing that

00:27:05.060 --> 00:27:06.960
 the gospel is

00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:08.820
 great news for

00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.620
 his pocketbook

00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:11.000
 and great news

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.960
 for his prestige

00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.440
 and his

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.060
 reputation.

00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.879
 His life is

00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.319
 not yet

00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.539
 disrupted for

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:16.960
 he is trying

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.960
 to fit Christ

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.899
 into his

00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:19.480
 existing

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.099
 structures.

00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:22.220
 We see this

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.879
 in verses

00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.980
 18 to 21.

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.139
 Now when

00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.799
 Simon saw

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.220
 that the

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.740
 spirit was

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.299
 given through

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.720
 the laying

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.299
 on of the

00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.019
 apostles hands

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.480
 he offered

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.919
 them money

00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:32.019
 saying give

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.579
 me this

00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.259
 power also

00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.740
 so that

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.539
 anyone on

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.240
 whom I lay

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.799
 my hands

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.799
 may receive

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.279
 the Holy

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.579
 Spirit.

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.460
 Sounds kind

00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:38.859
 of great.

00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.379
 Divide and

00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:40.679
 conquer.

00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:41.179
 We'll give

00:27:41.179 --> 00:27:41.819
 it to Simon.

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.839
 he can be

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.480
 an extension

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:43.859
 of the

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.079
 church.

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.779
 But Simon

00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.539
 is not

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:47.319
 wanting to

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.099
 bless the

00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.439
 Lord.

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.799
 Give glory

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.419
 to Christ.

00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:51.779
 For we see

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.179
 it in the

00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:52.899
 next verse

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.200
 in verse

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.519
 20.

00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.460
 Peter sees

00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.879
 right through

00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:56.179
 it and he

00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:57.679
 says to

00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.359
 Simon may

00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.000
 your silver

00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.819
 perish with

00:27:59.819 --> 00:27:59.980
 you.

00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.679
 It's literally

00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.500
 to hell with

00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.119
 you and

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.480
 your money.

00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:04.960
 May your

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.119
 silver perish

00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.119
 with you.

00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:11.259
 Simon

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:30.339
 wanted godly

00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.639
 authority and

00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.519
 godly power

00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.199
 for personal

00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.339
 glory and

00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.959
 not glory

00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.579
 for Christ.

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:36.860
 He sought

00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.279
 to buy

00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.620
 an office.

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.200
 Interestingly

00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:40.000
 that simony

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.100
 is in

00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.980
 our vernacular

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.860
 and it

00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.600
 describes

00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.660
 the buying

00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.279
 of office

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.860
 in the

00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.200
 church.

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.200
 Paying

00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.920
 money for

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.319
 religious glory,

00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.000
 for religious

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.519
 office,

00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.400
 for religious

00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.420
 reputation.

00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:54.740
 Simon

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.279
 sought to

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.940
 manipulate the

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.680
 gospel message

00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.500
 to fit into

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.559
 his existing

00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.519
 worldview instead

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.220
 of bending a

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.480
 knee to

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.860
 Christ.

00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.100
 But the

00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:03.039
 gospel is not

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.539
 a better

00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:03.940
 act.

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.759
 Christ is

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:07.019
 not a

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.500
 cool magic

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.859
 trick.

00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:09.599
 The gospel

00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.200
 is a free

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.559
 gift.

00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.519
 It delivers

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.079
 all who

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.579
 believe but

00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:12.819
 it will

00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.279
 certainly

00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.000
 disrupt our

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.559
 lives because

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.819
 although it

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.339
 is free,

00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.420
 it demands

00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.000
 that we

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.759
 bend a knee

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.440
 to Christ

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.720
 and friends,

00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.220
 that means

00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.740
 not bending

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.200
 a knee to

00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:24.220
 many other

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.859
 things in

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.319
 our lives

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.720
 including

00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.420
 ourself.

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:30.560
 our

00:29:30.560 --> 00:29:31.140
 allegiances

00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:32.980
 have this

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.980
 problem.

00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.019
 They

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.700
 oscillate.

00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:37.759
 They,

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.300
 you know,

00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.140
 as Christians

00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:41.440
 on Sunday

00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.340
 I am for

00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:42.960
 Christ

00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.100
 alone

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.620
 to my

00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.100
 dying

00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.539
 day

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.000
 and then

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.519
 on Monday

00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.380
 I am for

00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.120
 Daniel

00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.039
 alone

00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:52.080
 to my

00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:52.440
 dying

00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:52.800
 day.

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:53.940
 I'm for

00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.500
 my stomach,

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:54.960
 I'm for

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.820
 my bank

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.139
 account,

00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.579
 I'm for

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.119
 my house,

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.799
 I'm for

00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:59.000
 whatever

00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.619
 promotion

00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.240
 awaits me,

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.119
 I am for

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.579
 and then

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.919
 you put

00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:02.339
 in whatever

00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:02.899
 it is

00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:04.839
 and it's

00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.480
 not Christ,

00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:05.919
 it is a

00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:06.359
 problem.

00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.339
 We are

00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.859
 for Christ

00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.500
 one day

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.460
 and wary

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:10.799
 of him

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.279
 the next.

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.179
 Where is

00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:13.519
 the hope

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:13.939
 for us

00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:14.379
 type of

00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:14.679
 people

00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.500
 whose

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.019
 allegiance

00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.740
 oscillate?

00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.819
 Go back

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.379
 and forth.

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.539
 We have

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.359
 divided hearts,

00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:21.000
 divided

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.599
 allegiances.

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.200
 The answer

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.839
 here is

00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.099
 in verse

00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.559
 22.

00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.299
 Peter

00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:26.960
 says this,

00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:27.720
 Repent

00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.139
 therefore

00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:28.639
 of this

00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:29.099
 wickedness

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.480
 of yours

00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:29.960
 and pray

00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.639
 to the

00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:30.819
 Lord

00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.200
 that if

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.779
 possible

00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.439
 the

00:30:32.439 --> 00:30:32.759
 intent

00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.059
 of your

00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.299
 heart

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.639
 may be

00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:33.939
 forgiven

00:30:33.939 --> 00:30:34.220
 you

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:34.779
 for I

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.179
 see that

00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:35.439
 you are

00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:35.720
 in the

00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.119
 gull

00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:36.659
 of bitterness

00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.200
 and in

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.799
 the bond

00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.240
 of

00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:38.939
 iniquity.

00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:40.819
 We must

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.220
 repent.

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.419
 We must

00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.059
 remember as

00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.439
 it says

00:30:43.439 --> 00:30:43.919
 in morning

00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:44.339
 prayer that

00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:44.599
 we are

00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.000
 miserable

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.519
 offenders,

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:47.159
 that we

00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.079
 have no

00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:48.700
 health in

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.119
 us,

00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.139
 that we

00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:50.579
 desperately

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.159
 need the

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:51.859
 Holy Spirit

00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.919
 to remind

00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:53.399
 us and

00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.199
 to help

00:30:54.199 --> 00:30:55.339
 us to

00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:55.779
 see the

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.240
 error of

00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.740
 our ways

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:56.959
 and to

00:30:56.959 --> 00:30:57.219
 help us

00:30:57.219 --> 00:30:57.740
 grow in

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.079
 holiness.

00:30:58.699 --> 00:30:59.359
 That is

00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:01.099
 not a

00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:02.379
 weight of

00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:02.799
 guilt to

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.139
 say that

00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:03.319
 if you

00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:03.559
 are not

00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.000
 perfect,

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.119
 you are

00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.539
 in the

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.059
 same spot

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.399
 as Simon.

00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:06.819
 No,

00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:08.219
 we confess

00:31:08.219 --> 00:31:08.740
 our sins

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.359
 as often

00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.879
 as we

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.219
 sin.

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:10.619
 We get

00:31:10.619 --> 00:31:11.619
 real about

00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.179
 the darkness

00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:12.519
 in our

00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:12.899
 life because

00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:13.439
 Christ is

00:31:13.439 --> 00:31:14.439
 shining a

00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:14.939
 light on

00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:15.159
 it.

00:31:16.419 --> 00:31:17.059
 Will we

00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:17.719
 pretend that

00:31:17.719 --> 00:31:18.019
 it's not

00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.359
 there?

00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.719
 Will we

00:31:19.719 --> 00:31:20.099
 bend a

00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.279
 knee?

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:22.180
 This is

00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.579
 the Christian

00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:22.759
 life.

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.079
 This is

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.460
 why,

00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.660
 by the

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:24.899
 way,

00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.220
 if you've

00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.460
 been coming

00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:26.680
 to the

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:26.980
 church for

00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.319
 a while

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.000
 and the

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.379
 liturgy,

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.700
 you're just

00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:28.819
 like,

00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:28.980
 man,

00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.680
 we repent

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.220
 a lot,

00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.059
 Debbie Downer,

00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.160
 I need

00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.779
 something a

00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.039
 bit more

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.539
 uplifting.

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.519
 It's because

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.980
 we need

00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.200
 it.

00:31:35.899 --> 00:31:36.740
 We forget

00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.220
 all too

00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.599
 often.

00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.639
 So we

00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.079
 repent.

00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.779
 Why do

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.259
 we repent?

00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:41.740
 It's because

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.379
 Christ is

00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:42.839
 willing to

00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:44.220
 forgive and

00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.660
 to extend

00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.059
 mercy.

00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.599
 If he

00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.319
 wasn't,

00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:47.960
 then why

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.240
 would we

00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.599
 repent?

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.220
 But because

00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.139
 he is

00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.160
 abounding

00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.820
 in steadfast

00:31:51.820 --> 00:31:52.080
 love,

00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:52.380
 he is

00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:52.860
 rich in

00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.120
 mercy,

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.040
 we repent

00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:55.380
 and we

00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:55.900
 bend our

00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.940
 knee to

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.420
 the merciful

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:57.900
 God.

00:31:59.300 --> 00:32:00.080
 We ought

00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:00.480
 to pray

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.060
 that God

00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:01.800
 will continually

00:32:01.800 --> 00:32:02.680
 deliver us

00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.060
 from our

00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:03.380
 sin but

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.100
 also disrupt

00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:05.840
 us so

00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:06.180
 that we

00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:06.800
 see the

00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.420
 sin in

00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.180
 our lives.

00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.980
 And this

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.960
 may be

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.320
 very

00:32:11.320 --> 00:32:11.759
 uncomfortable

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:14.560
 but it

00:32:14.560 --> 00:32:14.920
 is a

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.440
 life worth

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:15.740
 living.

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.240
 I mentioned

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.840
 Jim Elliott

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.339
 before.

00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:20.099
 Some of

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.339
 you may

00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:20.619
 know his

00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:20.879
 story,

00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.339
 others may

00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:21.639
 not.

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.619
 His wife

00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:24.259
 actually is

00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.259
 the more

00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.799
 famous one,

00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.039
 I should

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.379
 say his

00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:26.639
 widow,

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.579
 Elizabeth

00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.019
 Elliott.

00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.859
 Jim died

00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.699
 at 28 in

00:32:31.699 --> 00:32:32.319
 the 50s.

00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.679
 He and a

00:32:33.679 --> 00:32:34.199
 few others

00:32:34.199 --> 00:32:34.500
 went to

00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.099
 Ecuador to

00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:36.099
 preach the

00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:36.659
 gospel to

00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.139
 an unreached

00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:37.480
 people.

00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.519
 He and

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.019
 five other

00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.500
 missionaries

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.019
 were speared

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.399
 to death.

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:43.780
 I look at

00:32:43.780 --> 00:32:44.140
 his life

00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.500
 and I

00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.759
 think,

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.060
 I'm sure

00:32:46.060 --> 00:32:46.540
 there was

00:32:46.540 --> 00:32:46.980
 another way,

00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.759
 drop leaflets

00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.060
 from an

00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:48.380
 airplane,

00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:48.840
 I don't

00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.080
 know,

00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:49.820
 figure it

00:32:49.820 --> 00:32:50.019
 out.

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.680
 You're

00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.120
 28,

00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:51.860
 you have

00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.220
 a wife

00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:52.740
 at home,

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.759
 think about

00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.060
 her.

00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:55.840
 And yet,

00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.519
 at the

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.280
 same time,

00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.300
 Jim Elliott

00:32:59.300 --> 00:33:01.240
 was bending

00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.880
 his knee to

00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:03.980
 Christ and

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.900
 the opposition

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.620
 to the

00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.040
 gospel,

00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:07.660
 it cost him

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.180
 his life.

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.539
 But because

00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.080
 of his

00:33:10.080 --> 00:33:10.860
 sacrifice,

00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.740
 that tribe

00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.580
 now is a

00:33:13.580 --> 00:33:13.840
 Christian

00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:14.259
 tribe.

00:33:16.820 --> 00:33:17.380
 Many

00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:18.880
 confess

00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:20.320
 Christ and

00:33:20.320 --> 00:33:20.799
 it is in

00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.360
 no small

00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:21.960
 part because

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.320
 of the

00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:22.880
 sacrifice of

00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.259
 Jim and

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.700
 the other

00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:25.980
 missionaries.

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:26.880
 Jim has

00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.340
 this famous

00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:27.740
 line,

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.500
 he says

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:28.779
 this,

00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:29.240
 he is no

00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:29.820
 fool who

00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.860
 gives what

00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.240
 he cannot

00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:31.840
 keep to

00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.320
 gain what

00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:32.820
 he cannot

00:33:32.820 --> 00:33:33.240
 lose.

00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.720
 You will

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.700
 never be

00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.880
 left wanting

00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.680
 if you

00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.039
 bend your

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.339
 knee to

00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:41.680
 Christ.

00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:42.980
 You will

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:44.019
 never be

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.299
 poor,

00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.759
 in the

00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.600
 real sense

00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:47.860
 of the

00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:48.100
 term,

00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:48.460
 poor,

00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.100
 if you

00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:49.440
 bend your

00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.720
 knee to

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.059
 Christ.

00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.579
 If you

00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:52.180
 proclaim the

00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.420
 gospel and

00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:53.960
 trust in

00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.259
 him,

00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.059
 you will

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.600
 never,

00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:57.779
 never be

00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.600
 left wanting.

00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.000
 Jim Elliott

00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.519
 is a very

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.059
 rich man.

00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.400
 Even though

00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:04.220
 he died a

00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.900
 horrible death,

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.279
 I don't even

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.700
 know if there's

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.220
 a grave,

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:10.440
 where his

00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.860
 body was

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.159
 buried,

00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:11.720
 who knows.

00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.079
 But Jim

00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:13.579
 Elliott is a

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.059
 rich man.

00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.639
 It's not to

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.059
 say that we're

00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.559
 all going to

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.039
 our deaths,

00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.720
 but friends,

00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.619
 let us not

00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.280
 be people

00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:22.740
 that see

00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:23.320
 the gospel

00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.780
 as a Sunday

00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.099
 thing,

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:27.119
 or a

00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.019
 5 to

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.659
 9 p.m.

00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.199
 thing after

00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:29.500
 we're done

00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.800
 work,

00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.380
 or when

00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:31.659
 we're not

00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.220
 in class,

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.099
 or when

00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:35.380
 we're with

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.000
 our families,

00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:36.599
 we'll just

00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.079
 shove that

00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.319
 in our

00:34:37.319 --> 00:34:37.900
 back pocket.

00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:39.659
 Let us

00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:39.980
 be people

00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.480
 that proclaim

00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.019
 the gospel

00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.579
 wherever we

00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:41.799
 go,

00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:42.900
 and trust

00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.460
 that God

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.819
 through his

00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:44.360
 Holy Spirit

00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:45.079
 will bless.

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:45.980
 Let's pray.

00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:47.960
 Father,

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.900
 thank you for

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.319
 St.

00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.380
 Perpetua and

00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.980
 Ignatius.

00:34:51.819 --> 00:34:52.679
 Thank you for

00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.619
 John Wycliffe.

00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.559
 Thank you for

00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.839
 Thomas Cramner.

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.539
 Thank you for

00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.579
 Jim Elliott.

00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.319
 Thank you for the

00:34:59.319 --> 00:35:00.679
 countless unnamed

00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.980
 missionaries that

00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.599
 have given their

00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.599
 lives for the

00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:03.960
 gospel.

00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:05.599
 The martyrs,

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.219
 that number,

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.839
 I'm sure,

00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.619
 in the millions

00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.799
 that we've never

00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.380
 heard of,

00:35:11.319 --> 00:35:11.679
 Lord,

00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.599
 that valued not

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.259
 their life unto

00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:13.579
 death.

00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:14.860
 Help us to be

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:16.000
 people to feed on

00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.179
 you,

00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:16.900
 to trust your

00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.259
 gospel,

00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:17.980
 that your

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.579
 gospel will

00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.739
 both deliver us

00:35:19.739 --> 00:35:21.299
 and disrupt us

00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.880
 from our sin.

00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.480
 And Lord,

00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:24.239
 we pray that you

00:35:24.239 --> 00:35:24.880
 would bless us

00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:25.380
 now as we

00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:26.000
 continue on in

00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.380
 this service,

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.039
 and we pray this

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.619
 in Christ's name.

00:35:28.339 --> 00:35:28.639
 Amen.

00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:30.480
 Please,

00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.420
 now is the time

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.299
 to sign your kids

00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:33.280
 out of Maasai Kids.