WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.379 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:19.019 Heavenly Father, I stand here this morning on the basis of your mercy and grace. 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:36.500 I'm just entrusted again with the task that I fall so short of, to exalt the name of your 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:48.640 Son, Jesus Christ, to proclaim his precious gospel, to exhort and plead with your people 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:57.000 that Jesus really is worthy of it all, that he is more precious than life itself. 00:00:59.260 --> 00:01:07.159 And God, I cannot do this apart from your help, and so we ask for your Spirit to work, 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:23.560 that you would persuade our minds, enthrall our hearts with the inestimable, incomparable 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:27.120 value of Jesus Christ and his gospel. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:41.980 That we might be effective, bold, winsome witnesses to Jesus all our lives, wherever we are. 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:48.100 Address us as your people to that end. 00:01:48.860 --> 00:01:49.800 We are listening, Father. 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:54.620 In Jesus' name, we pray. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:55.319 Amen. 00:01:56.859 --> 00:02:00.099 Acts chapter 21, verses 1 through 16. 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:11.719 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Kos, and the 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:17.299 next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara, and having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:19.840 we went aboard and set sail. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:26.959 When we had come inside of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria and landed 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.379 at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:35.140 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:40.819 And through the Spirit, they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:46.600 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with 00:02:46.600 --> 00:02:49.939 wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:54.780 And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:58.740 Then we went on aboard the ship, and they returned home. 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:04.960 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived in Ptolemais, and we greeted the 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:06.740 brothers and stayed with them for one day. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:13.420 On the next day, we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip, the evangelist, 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:16.800 who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:20.120 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:26.580 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:31.280 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:33.420 Thus says the Holy Spirit, 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:39.360 This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:40.800 into the hands of the Gentiles. 00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:46.120 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:47.960 Then Paul answered, 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:51.980 What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:58.599 For I am ready not only to be imprisoned, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of 00:03:58.599 --> 00:03:59.560 the Lord Jesus. 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:04.700 And since he would not be persuaded, we seized and said, 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:07.700 Let the will of the Lord be done. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:11.700 After these days, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:17.300 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Nathan of Cyprus, 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:19.860 an early disciple with whom we should lodge. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:23.099 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:04:24.599 --> 00:04:30.759 Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 tells us that God gives the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:37.539 the shepherds, and teachers to the church so that we might be equipped as saints to do the work of ministry. 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:46.060 And so that the body of Christ might be built up until we attain to the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:48.920 The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:57.180 And I think it's safe to assume that we, as a church, have not yet attained to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:04:57.580 --> 00:05:03.180 Which means that we still need these ministries, these gifts to function within the church. 00:05:03.180 --> 00:05:13.480 Last week's passage, Acts chapter 20, 17 to 38, painted a picture of how apostles and shepherds and teachers functioned in the early church. 00:05:14.340 --> 00:05:22.100 An apostle or a missionary is someone who is sent out by the local church to fulfill, as an extension of the church, 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.079 to fulfill a particular ministerial purpose. 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:32.719 I prefer to use the term missionary to refer to modern day apostles because using the term apostle can cause confusion 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:37.519 and erroneously imply that they carry the same authority as the twelve apostles. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:45.000 Or even the other capital A apostles like Paul, Barnabas, who are witnesses of Jesus' resurrection. 00:05:47.479 --> 00:05:53.019 Neither of those two categories of apostles exist today, but the gift of apostleship remains. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:59.159 He's traveling missionaries who serve as extensions of local churches in other geographic areas. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:07.500 Paul was such a missionary, and planting churches and supporting newly planted churches was his ministry wherever he went. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:16.560 And also in last week's passage, we saw how the elders of the church in Ephesus fulfilled the role of shepherds and teachers in the church. 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:21.479 They were commanded to pay careful attention to the flock, which is shepherding language, 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:26.660 and they were exhorted to follow Paul's example in declaring the whole counsel of God, 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:29.900 teaching in public and from house to house. 00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:38.920 They're also charged with safeguarding sound doctrine and defending the church from wolves who speak twisted things to draw away disciples after them. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:43.939 So shepherding and teaching are the responsibilities of elders, among other things. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:53.740 And as a helpful follow-up to Acts chapter 20, here in our passage, we get a picture of how prophets and evangelists functioned in the early church. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:07:01.659 Earlier in Acts 8, we saw how Philip the evangelist traveled to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:08.819 Philip is described as one of the seven, one of the seven kind of prototypical deacons who were appointed in Acts chapter 6 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:12.019 to minister to the needs of the widows, the Greek widows. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:16.800 And so he was one of the seven, but he's given the title, the evangelist. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:20.939 He traveled around and evangelized and sharing the gospel. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:25.039 The term evangelist is used in Ephesians 4.11, which I already quoted to you. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:30.199 And then in 2 Timothy 4.5, where Timothy is commanded to do the work of an evangelist. 00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:33.339 Those are the only times where that word occurs again in Scripture. 00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:41.759 And it means to go to a place to minister to people who had not heard the gospel of Jesus and to proclaim the good news. 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:46.259 In Acts 8, Philip did this to the Samaritans. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:50.299 And gospel came first to the Samaritans through Philip's ministry there. 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:55.039 And then hearing of the reception of the gospel among the Samaritans, 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:59.399 the church in Jerusalem then sent their delegates, the apostles Peter and John, 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:05.079 to give the Samaritan believers the right hand of fellowship and to recognize them as a spirit-indwelled church. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:08.159 So we see kind of different functions of the apostle and evangelists. 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:12.359 The evangelists proclaim the gospel, and apostles go and constitute the church. 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:17.779 And we also see the way the prophets functioned in the early church in this passage. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:24.439 Recall that Paul is currently hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible on the day of Pentecost. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:29.600 And he and his companions have a layover in Tyre where the ship is unloading its cargo. 00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:37.379 So he says in verse 4 that in the meanwhile that they sat out the disciples and stayed with them for seven days. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:45.519 And during that week it says that through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:52.899 The phrase through the Spirit suggests some kind of prophetic utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit, 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:54.460 some kind of prophetic guidance. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:59.360 We know that in verse 16 Paul goes to Jerusalem anyway. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:02.919 So this is kind of a fascinating detail. 00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:07.639 It would be inconsistent with what we know of Paul and what we've seen of Paul so far 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:10.779 for him to just flatly disobey the Spirit of God. 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:15.019 In fact, in chapter 20, verse 22, Paul explicitly said, 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:19.259 I am going to Jerusalem constrained by the Spirit. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:22.579 So what is happening here? 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:27.360 Paul thinks that the Holy Spirit is directing him to go to Jerusalem, 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:30.139 even binding him and constraining him to go. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:34.899 But then what does it mean that the disciples in Tyre, through the Spirit, 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:37.740 tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem? 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:44.299 Surely God's not confused, and the Spirit of God cannot contradict himself. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.360 And Luke answers this question in the following verses. 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:53.840 In verses 7 to 8, Paul travels through Ptolemais and arrives in Caesarea, 00:09:54.060 --> 00:09:56.340 where he stays at the house of Philip the Evangelist. 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:57.600 And he says this. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:10:00.240 Read along with me as I read verses 10 to 11. 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:05.980 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:10.700 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:12.159 Thus says the Holy Spirit, 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:16.659 This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:18.899 and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:22.440 I want you to try to imagine this scene for a little bit. 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:26.860 You can imagine the rapt attention that the people had on Paul in this room 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:30.200 as this is happening, on Agabus rather. 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:33.600 Agabus stands up in the middle of a gathering not unlike this, 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:35.019 and then he approaches Paul. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:35.940 He walks up to Paul. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:39.820 And then he takes Paul's belt, which is strange as it is. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.240 Like, okay, what are you doing? 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:45.980 And then he uses it to bind his own hands and feet, 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:48.259 which is not easy to do. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:51.200 I'm guessing he's using his mouth and teeth and whatever. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.940 And he's binding himself in this hog-tie position. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.600 So he probably can't even stand up. 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:57.399 Binds himself and is on the ground. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:03.899 And then he is saying this with everyone's eyes fixed on him. 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:06.240 Thus says the Holy Spirit, 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:11.059 This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:13.639 and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:19.079 Sometimes prophets in Scripture use object lessons 00:11:19.079 --> 00:11:23.100 or dramatic illustrations of the prophecies that they are proclaiming. 00:11:23.819 --> 00:11:25.659 And that's what's happening here. 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:31.299 He takes Paul's belt, binds himself to symbolize his imprisonment 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:34.980 and how Paul is going to be handed over to the Gentiles for judgment. 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:37.579 This is a foreboding prophecy 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:43.039 because Jews didn't have the authority, the political authority, 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:46.500 the legal authority to mete out capital punishment. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:50.899 So Jews did have some right to punish wrongdoers among them 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.679 in their own community. 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:57.599 But the fact that the prophecy says he'll be handed over by the Jews to the Gentiles 00:11:57.599 --> 00:12:01.979 is threatening because Gentiles are the only ones who have the power to execute someone. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:06.219 So there is a possibility here of even death 00:12:06.219 --> 00:12:12.139 and there's certainty here of imprisonment is what the prophecy is declaring. 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:17.220 So in light of that, the believer's response to Agabus' prophecy is understandable. 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.860 It says in verse 12, 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:23.779 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:29.860 The first person plural, we, refers to Luke, the author, and the rest of Paul's companions. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:33.439 And the people there refer to the believers of Caesarea, 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.360 including Philip and his four unmarried daughters who prophesied, 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.120 as well as other members of that local church. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:41.759 They all urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:46.940 I think this story is included here to clarify the meaning of verse 4, 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:49.820 where the disciples of Tyre, through the Spirit, 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:52.220 were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:57.919 It's not that the Spirit of God himself had told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:59.700 That's not what the Spirit was saying. 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:03.980 We saw clearly earlier that the Spirit himself was constraining Paul to go to Jerusalem. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:09.139 However, the Spirit of God did warn Paul of his impending imprisonment in Jerusalem. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:12.639 And based on that revelation from the Spirit, 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:17.259 some of the believers concluded that Paul should not go to Jerusalem. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:19.480 So that's what it means, that through the Spirit, 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:21.940 they were telling him not to go to Jerusalem. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:25.980 This is a very interesting dialogue. 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:30.120 And this passage teaches us several important things about prophecy 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.720 that I'm just going to outline for you. 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:37.580 First, we learn that prophecy is a spiritual gift for both man and woman. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:42.740 1 Corinthians 12.10 tells us that it's the Holy Spirit 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:46.580 who sovereignly distributes the gift of prophecy to various members of the church. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:51.840 And 1 Corinthians 14.1 commands us to pursue love 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:54.320 and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:56.620 especially that you may prophesy. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:14:02.919 So prophecy is a spiritual gift and therefore has its origin in the Spirit of God. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:06.560 And this gift is for both men and women believers in the church. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:10.060 Biblical narrative is usually very concise. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:13.060 So if it gives us what seems like an extraneous detail, 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:14.399 it's probably not extraneous. 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.600 It's probably there for a reason. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:20.960 And it says in verse 9 that Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:26.620 This is not Luke doing his old friend Philip a favor 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:30.340 and putting an advertisement for four marriageable daughters in his book. 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:38.519 In the ancient world, having not one, not two, not three, 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:44.680 but four unmarried daughters who are of marriageable age 00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:49.100 would have been a source of great shame and embarrassment for the father. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:52.540 It would have suggested that they were unwanted, 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.540 that something about them was defective. 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:59.200 But I don't think that's what Luke is implying 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:01.920 because that was not the case for Christians. 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:07.399 In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul tells singles that it is good for them to remain single. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.000 And the reason he gives is this. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:13.820 The unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:16.440 how to be holy in body and spirit. 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:19.660 But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:21.220 how to please her husband. 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:27.520 Because Christ has fulfilled what God had designed human marriage to point to, 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:30.740 namely the spiritual marriage between Christ and the church, 00:15:31.140 --> 00:15:33.760 it is possible for unmarried Christians, 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:38.640 men and women, to live fulfilling lives with singular devotion to Jesus, 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:42.600 depicting their ultimate marriage, heavenly marriage, 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:44.000 to Christ our bridegroom. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.840 So in light of that new reality, 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:51.000 the fact that Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:53.220 is not a point of embarrassment, 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.139 but it's a point of pride. 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:58.159 Here is a faithful evangelist 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:00.860 who has not neglected to evangelize his own children. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:04.639 Here are four chaste single daughters, 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.759 saved by the grace of God, 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:09.460 using their God-given gift of prophecy 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:11.000 to build up their local church. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:17.480 If God would be gracious to let my three daughters grow up to be like them, 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:20.159 I would not be embarrassed. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.399 I would be overjoyed. 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.379 So that's the first thing. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:28.039 Second, prophecy is divine revelation. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:32.059 It's what God reveals to us. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:35.399 It's not something that originates in the human mind. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.659 That's why Agabus says in verse 11, 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:40.480 thus says the Holy Spirit. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:43.360 And as John 17, 17 says, 00:16:43.459 --> 00:16:44.899 God's word is truth. 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:46.799 And Hebrews 6, 18 says, 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:49.019 it is impossible for God to lie. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.559 And that means prophecy proper, 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:53.000 the revelation of God itself, 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.639 what God himself reveals, 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:57.799 is entirely true and reliable. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:17:02.179 That brings us to the third thing about prophecy. 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:05.259 However, prophecy is different from Scripture 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:07.700 in a couple different, couple important ways. 00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:11.899 Prophecy is circumstantial revelation. 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.480 Let me explain what I mean by that. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:18.220 For example, we find two of Agabus' prophecy in the book of Acts. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:21.379 In Acts 11, 28, he prophesied of a coming famine. 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:24.319 That prophecy is circumstantial in nature. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:27.379 It tells us about circumstances in the world that will change. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:30.759 And for this reason, it only applies to those believers 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.399 who live during that particular time. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.240 It doesn't apply to us. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.460 We're not expecting a famine. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:39.859 Similarly, Agabus' prophecy here in Acts 21 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.519 applies only to Paul 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:44.960 and then to his impending imprisonment in Jerusalem. 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:48.460 It has no general application to all Christians. 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:50.899 And for that reason, it's not normative 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:54.059 and has no binding authority on us. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.759 Both of Agabus' prophecies were foretelling. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:01.159 It's revealing circumstantial content about the future. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.879 But prophecy can also involve foretelling, 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:08.680 revealing circumstantial content about the present. 00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:12.039 For example, in 1 Corinthians 14, 24-25, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:14.639 Paul says that the prophecies in the context 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:16.480 of congregational worship like this 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.279 will disclose, quote, 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.500 the secrets of an unbeliever's heart. 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.460 And so falling on his face, 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:25.220 he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:27.660 So prophecy in such cases 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.740 does not reveal something about the future. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:32.819 Rather, it reveals the secret of a person's heart 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:34.259 in the present. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.940 For example, a prophecy might reveal 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:39.420 God's specific exhortation or encouragement 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:41.420 for a woman struggling with infertility 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:44.620 or a man weighed down by the shame of hidden addictions. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:47.380 Some detail about the present 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:50.080 that the prophet would not have otherwise known. 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:52.400 So then we can say that prophecy 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:56.000 is circumstantial revelation that involves foretelling, 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:58.380 revealing something previously unknown about the future, 00:18:58.820 --> 00:19:01.160 and foretelling, revealing something 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.779 previously unknown about the present. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:06.579 And this is why prophecy is not authoritative 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:08.480 and normative like Scripture. 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:11.539 The Bible, it says in 2 Timothy 3.15, 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:13.579 is able to make you wise for salvation 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.819 through faith in Christ Jesus. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:19.079 Scripture is intended to make us wise for salvation 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:20.399 through faith in Jesus. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:24.220 It reveals Christ to us and his gospel to us. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.940 And that's why Jesus says in John 5.39, 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:29.599 the Scriptures bear witness about me. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:33.219 The entirety of the Old Testament and the New Testament 00:19:33.219 --> 00:19:34.939 point backward or forward to Jesus, 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.819 to his person, and his work. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:40.179 And Scriptures also teach us about how to live. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.899 It teaches about life and doctrine. 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:43.359 2 Timothy 3.16 says, 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:45.199 All Scripture is breathed out by God 00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:47.119 and is profitable for teaching, 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.939 for reproof, for correction, 00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:50.719 and for training in righteousness 00:19:50.719 --> 00:19:52.419 that the man of God may be complete, 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.939 equipped for every good work. 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.319 So here's the distinction then. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:00.439 Scripture has salvific and didactic content. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.460 It points us to Jesus 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.919 and teaches us about the Christian life and doctrine 00:20:04.919 --> 00:20:07.240 in an authoritative and normative way, 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:09.039 meaning it's binding on all Christians 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.939 at all times in all places. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:14.619 Prophecy, however, does not include salvific 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:16.519 or didactic content, 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:18.059 but circumstantial content. 00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:21.240 No prophet today is prophesying Scripture, 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:23.639 like Isaiah or Jeremiah. 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:27.100 And we know this because 2 Peter 3.2 says, 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:30.340 You should remember the predictions of the holy prophets 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:33.320 and the commandments of the Lord and Savior 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:35.020 through your apostles. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:38.640 What the Old Testament prophets predicted 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:41.900 is what the New Testament apostles have commanded. 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:44.960 And those two things form the foundation 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:47.060 of what we know about Jesus. 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.800 It's not New Testament prophets, 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:51.440 but New Testament apostles, 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.500 capital A apostles, 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:55.320 who are in line with, 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.200 in the same authority 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.740 as the prophets of the Old Testament, 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.539 because they were the eyewitnesses 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.440 of Jesus' resurrection 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:02.100 and were commissioned directly by him 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:03.240 to bear witness to Jesus 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:05.740 and in so doing lay the foundation for the church, 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.400 as Ephesians 2.20 says. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:09.100 He says that the household of God 00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:10.380 is built on the foundation 00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:12.360 of the apostles and prophets, 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:15.120 Christ Jesus himself being a cornerstone. 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.740 Because the foundation of the church 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.860 has already been laid, 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:21.439 and it does not need to be relayed. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:23.459 We now simply build on top of it. 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:26.199 So prophecy in the New Covenant age 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:26.919 that we're in 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:30.259 doesn't disclose new salvific content. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.539 It doesn't add new teaching 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:34.139 in addition to what we find in Scripture. 00:21:35.699 --> 00:21:38.839 And that's helpful for us 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.679 because that means 00:21:39.679 --> 00:21:42.539 if someone like Muhammad 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:44.720 or Joseph Smith 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:47.559 or Sun Myung Moon 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:49.680 comes along and says, 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:52.440 I am a prophet, 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.700 I am an apostle, 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.319 and here is new Scripture 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.440 that I've written 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.559 that I'm revealing to you. 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:01.119 Or here's a new way of salvation 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:03.180 that makes the way of Christ obsolete. 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.480 Here's a new way you should live 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.220 as a Christian 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.539 that's different 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.720 and contradicts Scripture. 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:11.220 Then you can safely assume 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:13.660 that they are all false prophets. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.960 Because present-day prophecy 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.700 is not like that. 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:22.380 It's circumstantial in nature. 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.140 Sorry, that was kind of long. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.940 It's a little bit technical. 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:27.360 I hope it's helpful for you guys. 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.440 I thought it would be a good opportunity 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.480 to share it while we're here. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:33.259 Fourth, the prophecy is divine revelation 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:35.559 that involves human interpretation. 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.400 That's the last thing I'm going to say about it. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.900 While prophecy proper 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:40.740 is divine revelation, 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:42.339 and therefore entirely true 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.400 and reliable, 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:46.279 it never comes to us unmediated. 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:48.339 The prophet receives 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.440 the revelation from God 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:51.220 and then interprets 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:53.039 and applies that prophecy 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.700 to the people 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.980 that he or she speaks to. 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.940 So in that sense, 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.599 a prophecy is more akin 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.620 to a sermon 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:01.359 than Scripture. 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:04.019 The Scripture is inerrant 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.480 and infallible, 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.519 but my sermons are not. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.019 Right? 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.819 My sermons are true 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.480 and authoritative 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:12.480 only insofar as it is consistent 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.720 with Scripture, 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.460 which is authoritative 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.039 and normative. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:18.079 That's why we all need 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.559 to listen carefully 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.400 and make sure that 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.500 everything that a preacher says 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.779 has basis in Scripture. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.559 Many preachers 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.619 have preached 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:27.299 things erroneously. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.099 And so similarly, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.339 while God's revelation 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.119 itself is infallible, 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.119 the prophet's interpretation 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.699 and application of it 00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:35.459 is not. 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.279 So every prophecy 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.659 must be tested to see 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:40.299 if it really is from the Lord. 00:23:40.979 --> 00:23:42.079 Is it consistent 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.779 with Scripture 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:44.479 and the revealed character of God? 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:46.779 Is the prophet sober-minded, 00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:47.919 trustworthy, 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.279 and self-restrained? 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.879 And we must weigh 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.819 the interpretation 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:54.299 and application of prophecy. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.259 So in Acts 21, 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.799 God revealed through his prophets 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:59.079 that Paul would be 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.159 imprisoned in Jerusalem, 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:02.340 and the disciples at Tyre 00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:03.800 and in Caesarea, 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:05.500 as well as Paul's companions, 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:07.580 interpreted the prophecy 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.680 to mean that Paul 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:10.320 should not go to Jerusalem. 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.480 However, 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.480 that was an incorrect 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.880 interpretation 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.920 and application. 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.080 The Holy Spirit 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:20.240 was warning Paul 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.620 of his impending imprisonment, 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:23.200 but he was not telling him 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.240 not to go to Jerusalem. 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.580 He was telling Paul 00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:27.200 to go to Jerusalem. 00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:27.779 We know that from 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.019 chapter 20, verse 22. 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.640 So part of the training 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.380 that we do 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:34.640 through our prophecy team, 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.800 the ministry in our church, 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.640 is teaching church members 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.620 exactly this, 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.680 who are prophetically gifted, 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.340 to distinguish between 00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:43.060 the prophetic revelation itself 00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:44.980 and their own interpretation of it. 00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:45.980 We actually had a great discussion 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.100 about that even this morning, 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.320 and Mariah and Dan 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.160 are doing a great job 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.900 leading the team 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.480 and training, 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.320 and our prophets 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:53.360 are getting better and better 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:54.380 in doing this. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:57.259 It's not always easy to do, 00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.400 which is why 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.560 we encourage our prophets, 00:24:59.559 --> 00:24:59.919 you know, 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.299 not to say things like, 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.819 thus says the Lord, 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.319 or thus says 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.480 the Holy Spirit. 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.700 It's technically 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.500 not wrong 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.759 to say those things, 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.859 since prophecy 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.220 is divine revelation, 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.839 and there is 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.980 biblical precedent 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.700 for saying that. 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.639 Agabus says it. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.559 However, 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.240 unless you're 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.899 an extraordinarily 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:19.000 gifted prophet, 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.480 and you're quite certain 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.359 that what you're saying 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.259 is a direct revelation 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.919 from the Lord, 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.319 and you haven't added 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.700 or subtracted from it 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.359 in any way, 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.139 saying, 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.000 thus says the Lord 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:30.180 can lend undue authority 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.240 and certainty 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.980 to the prophecy. 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.720 And also, 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.500 because nowadays 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.200 many Christians 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.259 haven't been taught 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.279 what prophecy is, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.039 they often associate 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.579 the phrase, 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.579 thus says the Lord, 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.200 with Scripture-level 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.539 revelation, 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:45.420 with Old Testament prophets 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.599 prophesying Scripture. 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.839 And so that can 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.599 mislead people 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.099 into thinking 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.940 that the prophecy 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.339 is new revelation 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.339 that has salvific 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.440 or didactic content 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:53.920 rather than 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.039 circumstantial content, 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.559 which is why 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.940 we advise our prophets 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.639 not to say, 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.799 thus says the Holy Spirit, 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.899 or thus says 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.700 the Lord. 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.019 In light of all this, 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.039 we can understand 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.159 why Paul insists 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:07.159 on going to Jerusalem 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:09.379 despite Agabus' prophecy 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.599 and other believers 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.659 attempt to dissuade him. 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.159 It's not that Paul 00:26:14.159 --> 00:26:15.859 disputes Agabus' prophecy. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.700 In fact, 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.440 Paul himself 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.220 has already said, 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.480 right, 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.339 in chapter 20, 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:20.480 verse 22 to 24, 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.899 that the Holy Spirit 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:23.159 testifies to him 00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:24.079 in every city, 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.539 including Jerusalem, 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.019 that imprisonment 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.859 and afflictions 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.480 await him. 00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:30.019 So Paul knew 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.339 independently from the Spirit 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.099 that he was going 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.980 to be imprisoned already. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.179 Other people are just 00:26:34.179 --> 00:26:34.980 confirming that 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.559 prophetically. 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.299 And Luke tells us 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.980 later in verses 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.179 27 to 33 00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:40.179 that this prophecy 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:41.579 was indeed fulfilled. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.720 He is, 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.240 it says, 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:45.379 seized and dragged 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:46.139 out of the temple 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:46.779 by the Jews, 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.799 and then he's beaten, 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.019 and then he is 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.720 handed over 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.980 to the Roman tribune 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.659 and the soldiers 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.759 who arrest him 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.279 and order him 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.879 to be bound 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:55.180 with two chains. 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.259 Again, 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.279 hands and feet 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.240 like the way Agabus 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.759 was bound. 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.319 So it becomes fulfilled 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.200 quite literally, 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.099 so it's all true. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.759 So Paul knows 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.539 full well 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.399 that he will be 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.500 imprisoned in Jerusalem 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.859 because the Holy Spirit 00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:09.119 has revealed that to him, 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:11.220 and yet he goes there 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.259 anyway 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:14.160 because he knows 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:15.359 that the Spirit of God 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.420 is constraining him 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.059 to go. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.440 In other words, 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.240 Paul is headed 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:22.099 to certain persecution 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:23.620 and imprisonment. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.079 And what is his reason 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.759 for doing that? 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.519 Verse 13, 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.279 what are you doing 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.799 weeping and breaking my heart? 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.480 For I am ready 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.460 not only to be imprisoned, 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:38.700 but even to die in Jerusalem 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:40.640 for the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:43.200 It's all for the sake 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.380 of the name 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.759 of the Lord Jesus. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.759 Proclaiming the name 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.500 of the Lord Jesus 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.220 was more important to Paul 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.579 than preserving 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:53.359 his own life. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.599 I think this is the main point 00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.539 that Luke is driving home 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.140 in this passage, 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.940 that even in the face 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:00.559 of certain suffering, 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:02.920 we must be surrendered 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.500 to the will of the Lord. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.420 Doing something 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.400 when there is a risk 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.500 of suffering 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.220 is one thing, 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.680 but to do something 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.019 when there is certainty 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.740 of suffering 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.200 is another. 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:17.019 Paul willingly 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.740 goes to Jerusalem 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.380 where he knows 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.059 he will be beaten 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.559 and imprisoned 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:21.140 because Jesus 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.900 was more precious 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.400 to him 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:23.640 than his own life. 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.799 Think about this 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.220 for a moment. 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.799 Even though Paul 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.819 is at the tail end 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.480 of his life, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.460 even though he has been 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.860 doing missionary work 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.980 for many years now, 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.720 and even though 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.460 his prodigious production 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.120 in the service 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:38.779 of the Lord 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:40.340 would equal 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.220 what most people 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.799 would accomplish 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:43.140 in three lifetimes, 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:45.940 even though Paul 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.440 has plenty of wear 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.660 and tear on his body 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.880 and have gone through 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.920 plenty of pain 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.860 and persecution, 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.259 Paul is not here 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:56.460 dreaming of retiring 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.400 to the coast 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.960 of the Mediterranean Sea, 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:02.340 spending the rest 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:02.900 of his life 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:04.000 in comfort and leisure. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.040 Instead, 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.259 he wants to lay 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.800 his life on the line 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.500 again, 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.159 risk it all 00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:13.200 to proclaim 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.799 the name of the Lord 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.859 in Jerusalem. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.519 He lived a life 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.159 of purpose. 00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:21.799 His was a life 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.339 on mission. 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.139 His aim wasn't 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:26.019 to earn enough money 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.559 to purchase 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.500 the life of comfort 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.099 and leisure. 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:30.180 No, he earned enough 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.259 to finance his mission 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.200 and then chose a life 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.859 of suffering 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.619 and persecution 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.680 bearing witness 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.700 for Jesus. 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:38.519 Paul's ambition 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.299 wasn't to make 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.420 a name for himself. 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.319 No, it was to proclaim 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.360 the name 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.740 of the Lord Jesus. 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.420 And that's because 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.220 Paul understood 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.779 the surpassing value 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.759 of Christ 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.460 and his kingdom. 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.660 In Matthew 13, 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:57.080 Jesus tells 00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:57.900 his disciples 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.960 a pair of parables 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.240 to illustrate 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:01.160 the value 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:03.240 of the kingdom 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.700 of heaven, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.299 Christ and his kingdom. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.619 He says this, 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.619 the kingdom of heaven 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.759 is like treasure 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.639 hidden in a field 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.919 which a man found 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:11.639 and covered up. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.779 Then in his joy, 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:15.220 he goes and sells 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.259 all that he has 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.180 and buys that field. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.659 Again, 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.500 the kingdom of heaven 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.419 is like a merchant 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.799 in search of fine pearls 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.940 who on finding 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.639 one pearl 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.680 of great value 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.879 went and sold 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:27.000 all that he had 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.859 and bought it. 00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:30.680 In order to claim 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.519 that treasure 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.720 hidden in a field, 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.119 we must sell 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:35.639 all that we have 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:37.079 in order to buy it. 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.359 In order to claim 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.000 that pearl 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.159 of great value, 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.219 we must sell 00:30:42.219 --> 00:30:43.799 all that we have 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:45.399 to afford it. 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.479 Likewise, 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:48.899 in order to follow Jesus, 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:51.159 we must forsake 00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:52.019 the world. 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.199 In order to pledge 00:30:54.199 --> 00:30:55.239 allegiance to Jesus, 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:56.559 we must renounce 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.319 our worldly allegiances. 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.479 This is why Jesus said, 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.539 if anyone would come 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:01.940 after me, 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.039 let him deny himself 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.620 and take up his cross 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.920 and follow me. 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:10.160 The cross entails 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:10.779 suffering. 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.440 The cross involves 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.779 submission to the will 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.440 of our master. 00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:16.660 The cross entails 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.259 death, 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.839 death to self, 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:20.059 to our selfish 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:22.120 desires and dreams. 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.960 And don't for a moment 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.980 think that this is 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.559 the call 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.339 only for 00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:28.919 the fanatic few 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:30.379 who have some screws 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.359 loose in their heads. 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.679 No, 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.339 this is actually 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.019 how people 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.980 of sound mind 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:41.579 who have 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:43.279 done the math 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.079 accurately 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.019 live. 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:49.720 The man who finds 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.119 the treasure 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.859 hidden in the field 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.539 does not sell 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.259 all that he has 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.039 reluctantly 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.680 or begrudgingly 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.579 or dutifully 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:57.160 because he has to. 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.339 No, 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.019 he says that 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.720 in his joy 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.940 he goes 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.579 and sells 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.299 all that he has 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.160 and buys that field. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:03.819 Why? 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.619 Because he has 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:06.200 done the math. 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.660 And it's to 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.619 his benefit, 00:32:11.139 --> 00:32:12.460 it's to his profit, 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.779 it's to his 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.519 eternal heavenly 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:17.180 joy and inheritance 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.740 to forsake 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.680 everything he has. 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.399 And to live 00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.240 like that 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.299 is to follow 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.059 in the footsteps 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.259 of our Savior 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.599 and forerunner 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:30.920 Jesus. 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.399 Hebrews 12, 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.039 1 to 2 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.960 exhorts us this way, 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.319 Therefore, 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:36.700 since we are 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.599 surrounded by so 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.379 great a cloud 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:38.960 of witnesses, 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.839 let us also 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.399 lay aside 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:42.079 every weight 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.639 and sin 00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:43.240 which clings 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.000 so closely 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:45.079 and let us 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:46.759 run with endurance 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.440 the race 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.000 that is set 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.740 before us. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.740 How? 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.539 Looking to 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.180 Jesus, 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.299 the founder 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.180 and perfecter 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:54.839 of our faith, 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.759 who for the joy 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.779 that was set 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.740 before him 00:32:58.740 --> 00:33:00.279 endured the cross, 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.680 despising the shame, 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.460 and is seated 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.480 at the right hand 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.640 of the throne of God. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.940 Jesus paid 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.960 for our sins 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.180 and bore 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.980 and bore our shame 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.660 on the cross 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:13.140 because he knew 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:14.799 that only by doing 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:16.160 so he can save us 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:17.180 and please God 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:17.740 our Father. 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.539 He knew 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.700 that his path 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.680 toward exhortation 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.640 and glory 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.240 at the right hand 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.900 of the Father 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:27.579 lay through his humiliation 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.579 and his death 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.259 on the cross. 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.200 Jesus 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:32.779 didn't lay his life 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.380 down for us 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:33.960 begrudgingly, 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:37.019 dutifully, 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:39.960 reluctantly. 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.259 No, he did it 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:42.920 willingly 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.140 for the joy 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.539 that was set 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.759 before him. 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.840 He delighted 00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.480 to save 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:49.960 sinners 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:51.259 like us 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.960 who never 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:53.279 deserve a chance 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:54.799 so that we 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.579 might be saved 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.200 and united 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:57.100 with him 00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:57.840 and become 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.340 heirs 00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:59.319 of God 00:33:59.319 --> 00:33:59.799 our Father. 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.680 And now 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.920 we get to serve 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.860 the Lord Jesus 00:34:04.860 --> 00:34:06.060 who gave his all 00:34:06.060 --> 00:34:07.120 for us. 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.680 The Son of God 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:10.340 who took on 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.220 human flesh 00:34:11.220 --> 00:34:11.840 to identify 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.579 with the sons 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.059 of man. 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.599 The sovereign Lord 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.420 who lived 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.340 and died 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:18.139 like a slave. 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.380 The righteous one 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.220 who absorbed 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:22.400 the just wrath 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:22.800 of God 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.440 against sinners. 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.840 All for the joy 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.460 that was set 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.019 before him 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:28.180 and it is our joy 00:34:28.180 --> 00:34:28.940 and privilege 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:30.119 now to serve 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.220 such a Lord. 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:31.279 Lord. 00:34:33.359 --> 00:34:34.719 Luke 9.51 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.619 Luke says 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:37.339 being fully aware 00:34:37.339 --> 00:34:38.099 of his impending 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.939 death in Jerusalem 00:34:38.939 --> 00:34:39.519 he says that 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.779 Jesus set 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:41.779 his face 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.919 to go to Jerusalem. 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:45.319 Jesus resolved 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:46.099 to go to Jerusalem 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.259 knowing fully well 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.439 what waited him there 00:34:48.439 --> 00:34:49.739 and now Paul 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:50.339 is following 00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:51.279 in his footsteps 00:34:51.279 --> 00:34:52.259 he's saying 00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:52.719 in effect 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:54.079 my Lord Jesus 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:55.339 died for me 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:55.939 in Jerusalem 00:34:55.939 --> 00:34:57.259 and it will be 00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:58.059 my honor 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.279 to die for him 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:00.200 in Jerusalem. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:03.720 It's not 00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:04.740 like Paul 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:05.100 is 00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:07.280 unmoved 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:07.580 by 00:35:07.580 --> 00:35:09.019 his fellow believers 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:09.580 entreaties 00:35:09.580 --> 00:35:10.360 they're tearful 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:10.940 entreaties. 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:12.300 He says to them 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.100 what are you doing 00:35:13.100 --> 00:35:13.600 weeping 00:35:13.600 --> 00:35:14.300 and breaking 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.900 my heart 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.680 it breaks 00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:16.640 Paul's heart 00:35:16.640 --> 00:35:17.740 to see his fellow 00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:18.500 brothers and sisters 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.220 weeping 00:35:19.220 --> 00:35:20.560 telling him not to go 00:35:20.560 --> 00:35:21.180 because they don't 00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:21.980 want him to die 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.600 they don't want him 00:35:22.600 --> 00:35:23.160 to be in prison 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.720 they don't want him 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:24.220 to suffer. 00:35:25.120 --> 00:35:26.320 It breaks his heart 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.100 to see that 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:28.239 and yet he must 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:29.400 tear himself away 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:30.920 because of his 00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:32.219 allegiance to the 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:32.860 Lord Jesus 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:34.259 because of his 00:35:34.259 --> 00:35:35.199 love for the 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:35.799 Lord Jesus 00:35:35.799 --> 00:35:38.559 so Paul reminds 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:38.839 them 00:35:38.839 --> 00:35:39.839 I am a servant 00:35:39.839 --> 00:35:40.500 of the Lord 00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:42.019 and his spirit 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:43.000 is constraining 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.639 me to go to 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:43.960 Jerusalem 00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:45.319 and I am prepared 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.839 to suffer 00:35:45.839 --> 00:35:46.699 imprisonment 00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.500 even death 00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.360 for his sake 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:49.519 so please 00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:51.219 don't detain me 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:52.519 don't break 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.139 my heart 00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:54.119 like this 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:56.960 and the believers 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:58.199 gather around 00:35:58.199 --> 00:35:59.000 Paul in Caesarea 00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.779 see that Paul 00:35:59.779 --> 00:36:00.519 cannot be 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.179 dissuaded 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:03.039 so they cease 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:04.219 and say this 00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:05.000 in verse 14 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:07.339 let the will 00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:08.039 of the Lord 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:08.960 be done 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:12.199 they are echoing 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:13.039 Paul's posture 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.579 of surrender 00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:15.559 if it is indeed 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.679 the will of the Lord 00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:17.159 for Paul 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:17.759 to testify 00:36:17.759 --> 00:36:18.339 in Jerusalem 00:36:18.339 --> 00:36:19.299 and be imprisoned 00:36:19.299 --> 00:36:20.179 then there is 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:21.440 nothing we can do 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.039 to stop it 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.559 from happening 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.960 we cannot stand 00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:24.400 in the way 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.799 of the Lord 00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.460 let the will 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.139 of the Lord 00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:26.799 be done 00:36:26.799 --> 00:36:28.900 it's similar 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:29.519 to how Jesus 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.099 prayed in the 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.820 garden of Gethsemane 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.719 just before his 00:36:31.719 --> 00:36:33.059 arrest and death 00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:34.340 when he said 00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:35.420 not my will 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.059 father 00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:36.860 but yours 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.799 be done 00:36:37.799 --> 00:36:40.360 and that's my 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.980 closing exhortation 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.840 to you this morning 00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:44.579 let us also 00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:45.860 surrender ourselves 00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.840 to the will 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.340 of God 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:49.039 come what 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.519 may 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:51.820 whether you 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:52.519 have glory 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.920 or humiliation 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:54.460 in store 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:54.800 for me 00:36:54.800 --> 00:36:55.039 Lord 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:56.460 whether you 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.100 have comfort 00:36:57.100 --> 00:36:58.100 or suffering 00:36:58.100 --> 00:36:58.920 in store 00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.380 for me 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.100 whether you 00:37:00.100 --> 00:37:00.680 have a long 00:37:00.680 --> 00:37:01.100 life 00:37:01.100 --> 00:37:01.780 or a short 00:37:01.780 --> 00:37:02.140 life 00:37:02.140 --> 00:37:02.620 in store 00:37:02.620 --> 00:37:02.980 for me 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.400 whether you 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.320 have health 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:05.080 or sickness 00:37:05.080 --> 00:37:05.960 in store 00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:06.360 for me 00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:06.720 whether you 00:37:06.720 --> 00:37:07.440 have marriage 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.400 or singleness 00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:09.280 in store 00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:09.680 for me 00:37:09.680 --> 00:37:10.059 whether you 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:10.700 have fame 00:37:10.700 --> 00:37:11.620 or obscurity 00:37:11.620 --> 00:37:12.380 in store 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:12.720 for me 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:13.100 whether you 00:37:13.100 --> 00:37:13.800 have wealth 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.840 or poverty 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:15.300 in store 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:15.620 for me 00:37:15.620 --> 00:37:16.000 whether you 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:16.660 have a white 00:37:16.660 --> 00:37:17.340 collar job 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.080 or a blue 00:37:18.080 --> 00:37:18.740 collar job 00:37:18.740 --> 00:37:19.120 in store 00:37:19.120 --> 00:37:19.420 for me 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:23.420 whether you have peace or persecution in store for me, 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:29.159 I give myself unreservedly to Jesus who gave himself for me. 00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:32.280 Let the will of the Lord be done. 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:35.440 Let's pray. 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:41.740 God, that is our heart's cry. 00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:50.059 God, forgive us for our rebellion, 00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:53.879 for our sinful desire for autonomy, 00:37:55.779 --> 00:38:03.539 for not wanting anyone else to dictate what we do, 00:38:03.879 --> 00:38:05.019 tell us what to do. 00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:11.299 Oh God, we surrender to your will. 00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:18.379 Let your will, not ours, be done. 00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:21.919 In our lives, in the world, 00:38:22.779 --> 00:38:25.179 all for your glory, God. 00:38:29.939 --> 00:38:34.339 For that is also our ultimate joy and good, 00:38:34.339 --> 00:38:41.359 to worship, love, and serve you. 00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:46.319 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:47.459 --> 00:38:47.739 Amen.