WEBVTT

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 So give our greetings again to Jess and the kids and to your church as well.

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 So we'll be reading from Acts chapter 28, starting in verse 11 in the Red Church Bibles.

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 That is page 1126.

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 If anybody needs a Bible, just raise your hand.

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 And Ethan will be happy to bring one to you.

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 It's page 1126.

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 After three months, we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island.

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 It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux.

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 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days.

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 From there, we set sail and arrived at Rehagim.

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 The next day, the south wind came up.

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 On the following day, we reached Petulia.

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 There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them.

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 And so we came to Rome.

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 The brothers there had heard we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the three taverns to meet us.

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 At the sight of these men, Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

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 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.

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 Three days later, he called together the leaders of the Jews.

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 When they had assembled, Paul said to them,

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 My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors,

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 I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

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 They examined me and wanted to release me because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.

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 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar,

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 not that I had any charge to bring against my own people.

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 For this reason, I have asked to see you and talk with you.

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 It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with his chain.

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 They replied,

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 We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you,

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 and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.

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 But we want to hear what your views are,

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 for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.

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 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day and came, in even larger numbers, to the place where he was staying.

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 From morning till evening, he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God

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 and tried to convince them about Jesus from the law of Moses and from the prophets.

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 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

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 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement.

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 The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet,

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 Go to this people and say,

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 You will be ever hearing but never understanding.

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 You will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

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 For this people's heart has become calloused.

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 They hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.

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 Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,

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 understand with their hearts, and turn.

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 I would heal them.

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 Therefore, I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles,

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 and they will listen.

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 For two whole years, Paul stayed there in his own rented house

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 and welcomed all who came to see him.

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 Boldly and without hindrance, he preached the kingdom of God

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 and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Thanks very much, Ryan.

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 Well, let's pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Pray.

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 Our Father God, thank you for this book of Acts

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 that we have been able to read together over the last number of weeks.

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 Thank you for its message.

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 And we pray that this message would continue to shape us

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 corporately and together as your church,

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 that we would always be people about your work

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 understanding the ways in which you work

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 and living life according to your plans

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 we pray for your Holy Spirit to be at work amongst us this morning

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 that we may not only hear

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 but truly perceive

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 that we would not only see

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 but that we would understand

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 soften our hearts

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 so that they are not calloused

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 but hearts that are soft to receive from you

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 and to be shaped by you

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 and we pray this in Jesus name

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 Amen

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 well this morning we do come to the end of Acts

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 over the last while we have been tracing

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 God's promise that we read about in chapter 1 verse 8

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 you should remember it

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 the promise that said you will receive power

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 when the Holy Spirit comes down on you

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 and you will be my witness as he said in Jerusalem

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 and in Judea and Samaria

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 and to the ends of the earth

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 that the good news of Jesus would go to all peoples

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 of all nations

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 of every language and every people group

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 because the story of Acts

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 the whole message of Acts

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 is about the outworking of that promise

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 so chapters 1 to 8 is all about the gospel taking effect

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 in and around the city of Jerusalem

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 as we move to chapters 9 to 12

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 it's all about the gospel moving out further

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 into the area of Judea and Samaria

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 and then in chapters 13 to 27

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 it's about the gospel reaching to the ends of the earth

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 and as we follow this pattern

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 we see that as the gospel spreads

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 as the good news goes out

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 churches are being established

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 gospel communities are coming together

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 as people respond in faith to Jesus

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 and they in turn begin to tell other people

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 and begin to live out a gospel centered life

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 and these other churches are established

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 and this is the pattern the whole way through

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 and this is what's been happening

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 so when we finally get to Acts chapter 28

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 there is a sense in which we're saying

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 this is mission accomplished

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 that the promise has now been fulfilled

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 but in reality Acts is only the end of the beginning

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 in other words Acts 28 is a launch pad

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 for the continuation of God's mission

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 Ryan who just read for us

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 and Jess who the family that have been with us

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 belong to a church back in the states

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 that is part of a network called Acts 29

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 and you might be looking here and thinking

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 well where's Acts 29

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 well that's the point

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 the idea is is that churches today

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 are writing the next chapter

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 in other words that we are living out

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 this continued mission

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 we are being what God has called us to be

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 so as we do get to the end of Acts 28

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 there is a sense this is the end of the beginning

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 but in another sense this is the beginning

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 of all that God will continue to do

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 through his church

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 as he equips the church

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 and empowers the church by his Holy Spirit

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 so there's three big things

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 that I want us to take away

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 as we move out of Acts

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 that we are going to take with us

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 as we begin to live out

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 what it is to be an Acts 29 church

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 there are three things

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 that we are going to look at

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 that God is sovereign over his mission

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 people are going to reject

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 the risen Jesus

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 but gospel ministry continues unhindered

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 and in some ways

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 these three big themes

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 that come out of the end of Acts

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 are great big themes

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 that we see throughout the whole book

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 they are a summary

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 they are a summary of the whole book

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 so let's look at them in turn

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 first

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 God is sovereign over his mission

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 there is a very small statement here

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 in verse 14

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 but it has huge significance

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 we read it at the very end of verse 14

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 chapter 28

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 and so we came to Rome

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 it's a little travel detail

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 but behind it stands

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 God's sovereignty

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 over his mission

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 Paul had started his journey towards Rome

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 at least four months ago

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 back in chapter 27

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 on the journey

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 on the board the boat

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 he endured a hurricane

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 first

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 fourth storm

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 verse 20

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 of chapter

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 27

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 when neither sun

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 nor stars appeared

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 for many days

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 and the storm

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 continued raging

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 we finally gave up

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 all hope

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 of being saved

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 not only did he face

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 a hurricane

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 fourth storm

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 he faced the threat

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 of being killed

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 by soldiers

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 verse 42

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 the soldiers planned

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 to kill the prisoners

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 to prevent any of them

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 from swimming away

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 and escaping

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 but after that

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 he encountered

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 a poisonous snake

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 chapter 28

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 verse 3

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 Paul gathered

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 a pile of brushwood

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 and as he put it

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 on the fire

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 a viper

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 that's a very poisonous snake

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 driven out by the heat

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 fastened itself

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 on his hands

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 but in each circumstance

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 of his life

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 or in each circumstance

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 of these events

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 his life

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 was spared

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 and so we read

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 and so we came

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 to Rome

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 God is sovereign

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 over his mission

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 not even storms

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 not even soldiers

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 not even poisonous snakes

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 can hinder

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 all that God

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 intends to do

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 and that has been

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 the repeated message

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 the whole way

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 through Acts

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 that God will see

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 that his message

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 is preached

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 that his messenger

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 will always be

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 preserved

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 for the task

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 that they have called

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 to do

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 and that his mission

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 will prevail

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 nothing

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 and no one

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 can stand

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 in God's way

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 it's ironic

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 that as Paul

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 boards

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 the boat

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 for the final

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 leg of his journey

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 in verse 11

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 of chapter 28

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 we read

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 that it was

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 an Alexandrian ship

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 with the figurehead

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 of the twin gods

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 Castor and Pollux

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 they were the twin sons

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 of Zeus

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 Zeus was the god

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 of the sea

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 the great protector

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 of all who travel

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 on the sea

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 well the reality

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 is Zeus

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 did nothing

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 to protect

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 the ship

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 in the storm

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 they were all

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 shipwrecked

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 and the cargo

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 was lost

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 so I think

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 Luke is using

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 a bit of irony

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 here to highlight

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 the fact

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 that this is

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 God who rules

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 the waves

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 and it is God

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 who is watching

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 over his servants

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 a fact

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 that Paul

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 was quick

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 to acknowledge

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 in verse 15

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 the brothers

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 there had heard

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 that we were coming

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 and they travelled

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 as far as

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 the forum

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 of Appius

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 that's kind of

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 like the major

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 motorway

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 at that time

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 and the three

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 taverns

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 to meet us

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 at the sight

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 of these men

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 Paul thanked

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 God

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 and was encouraged

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 you see

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 Paul knew

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 that God

00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.540
 is sovereign

00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:43.420
 over his mission

00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:45.320
 and so he

00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:45.780
 gratefully

00:12:45.780 --> 00:12:46.600
 gives thanks

00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:47.100
 to God

00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.139
 for his protection

00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:49.400
 for his care

00:12:49.400 --> 00:12:50.440
 upon his life

00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:51.760
 and for bringing

00:12:51.760 --> 00:12:52.180
 him

00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:53.260
 to Rome

00:12:53.260 --> 00:12:56.220
 now as we

00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:57.180
 continue on

00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:58.040
 in this mission

00:12:58.040 --> 00:12:58.520
 today

00:12:58.520 --> 00:12:59.900
 there are two

00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:00.600
 things that we

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.380
 need to remember

00:13:01.380 --> 00:13:02.200
 that flow out

00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:02.580
 of this

00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:04.040
 and the first

00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:04.520
 is this

00:13:04.520 --> 00:13:05.140
 that God

00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:05.780
 is sovereign

00:13:05.780 --> 00:13:07.760
 over our

00:13:07.760 --> 00:13:08.280
 life

00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:11.180
 God is in

00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:11.840
 control

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.920
 over every

00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.720
 detail

00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:14.760
 of your

00:13:14.760 --> 00:13:15.260
 life

00:13:15.260 --> 00:13:17.020
 you live

00:13:17.020 --> 00:13:17.480
 where you

00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:17.920
 live

00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:19.340
 you work

00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:19.880
 where you

00:13:19.880 --> 00:13:20.400
 work

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.439
 you're in

00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:22.079
 the family

00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:22.679
 that you're

00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.019
 in

00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.919
 because God

00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.659
 has ordered

00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.519
 your life

00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.019
 in this

00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.919
 particular way

00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.600
 yes we

00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:29.419
 make decisions

00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.379
 we make

00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:30.980
 choices

00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.879
 but they

00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:32.500
 are all

00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.319
 under the

00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:33.799
 sovereign

00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.539
 hand of

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:34.959
 God

00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:37.019
 that means

00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.600
 that God

00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.199
 will only

00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:39.100
 allow in

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.879
 your life

00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.759
 what he

00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.439
 wills

00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:41.980
 and what

00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.199
 he

00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:42.699
 permits

00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.419
 it doesn't

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:43.879
 mean to say

00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.360
 we always

00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.439
 understand it

00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:47.100
 but God

00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.540
 will only

00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:48.180
 allow in

00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:48.640
 your life

00:13:48.640 --> 00:13:49.060
 what he

00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:49.520
 wills

00:13:49.520 --> 00:13:49.900
 and he

00:13:49.900 --> 00:13:50.440
 permits

00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:52.400
 and he

00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:52.980
 will use

00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:53.540
 it for his

00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:54.460
 greater purpose

00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.020
 of mission

00:13:55.020 --> 00:13:56.040
 in fact he

00:13:56.040 --> 00:13:56.680
 will keep

00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.680
 you and he

00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.420
 will preserve

00:13:58.420 --> 00:13:59.420
 you for the

00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.160
 purpose of his

00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.540
 mission

00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:02.920
 and when your

00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.600
 day comes

00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.180
 when the Lord

00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:04.820
 Jesus will

00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.520
 call you

00:14:05.520 --> 00:14:06.000
 home

00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.440
 it will not

00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:07.940
 be a day

00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:08.500
 too early

00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.140
 or a day

00:14:09.140 --> 00:14:09.820
 too late

00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:11.680
 God is

00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.200
 sovereign

00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.940
 over our

00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.420
 life

00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:17.480
 and God

00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.100
 is sovereign

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.960
 secondly

00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.540
 over our

00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:20.000
 world

00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.680
 God's in

00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.340
 control

00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:23.260
 over every

00:14:23.260 --> 00:14:24.060
 aspect

00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:25.020
 of this

00:14:25.020 --> 00:14:25.379
 world

00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.560
 he has

00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:27.320
 absolute

00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:28.000
 power

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.020
 over nature

00:14:29.020 --> 00:14:30.520
 he has

00:14:30.520 --> 00:14:31.020
 supreme

00:14:31.020 --> 00:14:31.680
 authority

00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.440
 over the

00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:32.820
 rulers

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:34.080
 nothing

00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:34.700
 and no

00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.140
 one can

00:14:35.140 --> 00:14:35.760
 stand in

00:14:35.760 --> 00:14:36.060
 the way

00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:36.600
 of God

00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.280
 and his

00:14:37.280 --> 00:14:37.740
 mission

00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.420
 and our

00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:39.040
 part in

00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:39.260
 it

00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.059
 God has

00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.460
 made a

00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:40.980
 promise

00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:41.939
 and God

00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.279
 is going

00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:42.840
 to keep

00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:43.480
 that promise

00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.419
 his mission

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.240
 has started

00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.200
 his mission

00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:46.980
 will continue

00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:47.799
 and one

00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.600
 day the

00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.200
 Lord Jesus

00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:50.139
 will return

00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.659
 and it

00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.220
 will be

00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.819
 accomplished

00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:52.639
 it's all

00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.600
 heading in

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.360
 a victorious

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.240
 conclusion

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.159
 he is

00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:57.519
 sovereign

00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.080
 over our

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.439
 life

00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.700
 and sovereign

00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:01.000
 over our

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.500
 world

00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:04.019
 so in

00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.779
 response we

00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.159
 need to

00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:05.720
 pray that

00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.279
 God would

00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:06.799
 change

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.419
 us

00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:09.240
 to fit

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.639
 in with

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.819
 his plans

00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.699
 and his

00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.139
 mission

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:14.319
 rather than

00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:15.019
 thinking that

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.079
 God exists

00:15:16.079 --> 00:15:16.919
 for me

00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.519
 and for

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.219
 my plans

00:15:18.219 --> 00:15:18.679
 and my

00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.279
 ideas

00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:20.819
 that we

00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.379
 continually

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.199
 say God

00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:23.319
 change me

00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:24.479
 to fit in

00:15:24.479 --> 00:15:24.919
 to what

00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.779
 you are

00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.159
 doing

00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:26.939
 in my

00:15:26.939 --> 00:15:27.319
 life

00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:27.919
 and what

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:28.299
 you are

00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:28.639
 doing

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.539
 in this

00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:29.839
 world

00:15:29.839 --> 00:15:32.539
 so let's

00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.039
 take with

00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.439
 us the

00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:33.959
 fact that

00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:34.399
 God

00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.840
 is sovereign

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.980
 over his

00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.360
 mission

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.959
 second

00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:42.799
 and this

00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.360
 is a hard

00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:43.720
 one

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.779
 people will

00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.360
 reject

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.459
 the risen

00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:47.919
 Jesus

00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:50.459
 one of the

00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.120
 most painful

00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.079
 struggles in

00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.419
 mission

00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:54.279
 is that we

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:54.740
 will meet

00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.139
 people who

00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:56.919
 will reject

00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.620
 Jesus

00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.159
 Christ

00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.019
 once in

00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.279
 Rome

00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.740
 Paul

00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.699
 arranges to

00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:03.159
 meet with

00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.579
 some of

00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.299
 the Jewish

00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:04.719
 leaders

00:16:04.719 --> 00:16:05.219
 we read

00:16:05.219 --> 00:16:05.519
 of that

00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:05.879
 in verse

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.500
 23

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:09.939
 they arranged

00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:10.360
 to meet

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.919
 Paul on

00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.319
 a certain

00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:11.699
 day

00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:13.319
 and came

00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:13.860
 in even

00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.679
 larger numbers

00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.299
 to the place

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:15.799
 where he was

00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.259
 staying

00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.879
 from morning

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.439
 till evening

00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.480
 he explained

00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.319
 and declared

00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:20.759
 to them

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.319
 the kingdom

00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:21.860
 of God

00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.679
 and tried

00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.279
 to convince

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:23.899
 them about

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.379
 Jesus

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:24.939
 from the

00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.259
 law

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.860
 and Moses

00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.360
 and from

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:26.860
 the prophets

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.500
 that's

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:27.939
 basically

00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.419
 from the

00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.139
 Old Testament

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.679
 he began

00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.159
 to talk

00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:30.439
 about

00:16:30.439 --> 00:16:31.000
 Jesus

00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.759
 the good

00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.120
 news

00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.580
 of Jesus

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.019
 Christ

00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.919
 was Paul's

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.679
 priority

00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:36.080
 that was

00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.580
 his love

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:36.919
 that was

00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.559
 his joy

00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:37.940
 that was

00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.740
 his desire

00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.500
 and as we

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.879
 see in

00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.740
 verse 23

00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.379
 he began

00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.539
 to explain

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.139
 to them

00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:44.960
 or declare

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.360
 to them

00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:45.879
 about the

00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.220
 kingdom

00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.879
 of God

00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:48.960
 the kingdom

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.440
 of God

00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.080
 is God's

00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.659
 promise

00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.879
 to restore

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.059
 broken lives

00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:54.220
 and renew

00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.139
 this disordered

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.600
 world

00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.220
 and as he

00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.759
 tried to

00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.399
 convince them

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:58.980
 and persuade

00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.600
 them the only

00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.259
 way that this

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.840
 kingdom was

00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.100
 going to

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.559
 come about

00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:01.960
 would be

00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.360
 through

00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.819
 Jesus

00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.379
 Christ

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.779
 Jesus

00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.579
 was God's

00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.039
 promised

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.480
 king

00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.619
 come into

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.019
 the world

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.720
 to establish

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.220
 a new

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.740
 kind of

00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.099
 kingdom

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:11.339
 a kingdom

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.039
 of peace

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.839
 and justice

00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:14.180
 the absence

00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.740
 of all

00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.339
 suffering

00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.079
 and evil

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.500
 a place

00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.879
 where we'll

00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.460
 no longer

00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:18.960
 turn on

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.460
 the news

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:19.980
 or open

00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.339
 up our

00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:20.879
 newspapers

00:17:20.879 --> 00:17:21.480
 and read

00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:21.980
 about a

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.319
 shooting

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.680
 in a

00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.099
 school

00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.500
 we'll no

00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.059
 longer hear

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.819
 the tragedy

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.660
 of another

00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.599
 girl committing

00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.140
 suicide

00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:28.720
 because they

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.640
 cannot cope

00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:32.060
 a kingdom

00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.920
 where death

00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.160
 and disorder

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.160
 are destroyed

00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:37.320
 and life

00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.520
 and beauty

00:17:38.520 --> 00:17:40.060
 reign forever

00:17:40.060 --> 00:17:42.520
 and Jesus

00:17:42.520 --> 00:17:43.600
 proved all

00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.020
 of this

00:17:44.020 --> 00:17:44.540
 by his

00:17:44.540 --> 00:17:45.160
 resurrection

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:45.740
 from the

00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.020
 dead

00:17:46.020 --> 00:17:46.940
 defeating

00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.560
 it all

00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:50.360
 the people

00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:50.720
 who have

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.320
 lost loved

00:17:51.320 --> 00:17:51.780
 ones in

00:17:51.780 --> 00:17:52.660
 recent days

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:54.340
 long for

00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:54.920
 life to

00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.400
 return

00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:57.380
 Jesus

00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:57.820
 Christ

00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.040
 has

00:17:58.040 --> 00:17:58.480
 conquered

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:58.900
 death

00:17:58.900 --> 00:18:00.320
 and he

00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:00.640
 alone

00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.100
 can give

00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.540
 true

00:18:01.540 --> 00:18:02.860
 and eternal

00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.320
 life

00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:03.820
 he can

00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:04.620
 give life

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.580
 resurrection

00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:06.300
 life

00:18:06.300 --> 00:18:07.880
 but the

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.440
 only way

00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.019
 that people

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.840
 can be part

00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:10.200
 of this

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.600
 kingdom

00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:12.080
 was by

00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:12.720
 repentance

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.640
 turning to

00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.040
 Jesus

00:18:15.040 --> 00:18:16.259
 and faith

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.440
 and trusting

00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.440
 in Christ

00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:20.120
 and this

00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.420
 is the

00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:20.779
 same

00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.240
 message

00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.660
 that we

00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.100
 read

00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:22.840
 all the

00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.039
 way

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.320
 through

00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:23.660
 Acts

00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.380
 page

00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.820
 after

00:18:24.820 --> 00:18:25.360
 page

00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:25.880
 it was

00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.460
 the same

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.259
 wonderful

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.000
 glorious

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.460
 message

00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.120
 of Christ

00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:29.400
 who has

00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:29.740
 come to

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.220
 bring about

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.940
 an eternal

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.460
 kingdom

00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:34.500
 and the

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.200
 response

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.480
 was the

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:36.779
 same

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.140
 look at

00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.019
 verse 24

00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:41.460
 some

00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.240
 were convinced

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.080
 by what he

00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.480
 said

00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.620
 some believed

00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:45.960
 and they

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.680
 entered into

00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.320
 that kingdom

00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:50.799
 but others

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.380
 would not

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.019
 believe

00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:54.840
 despite all

00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:55.680
 the evidence

00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.539
 from scripture

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.160
 despite the

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.840
 proof that

00:18:58.840 --> 00:18:59.840
 Jesus had

00:18:59.840 --> 00:19:00.539
 risen from

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.060
 the dead

00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:02.220
 despite the

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.100
 eyewitnesses

00:19:03.100 --> 00:19:03.740
 who had seen

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.500
 him and told

00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.060
 others that

00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:05.660
 they had seen

00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.299
 him they

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.400
 continued in

00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.220
 their refusal

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.380
 to believe

00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.420
 and accept

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:13.380
 and why

00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:13.980
 wouldn't they

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.500
 believe

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.700
 what was

00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.140
 wrong

00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.620
 well look

00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:17.900
 at verse

00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.580
 25

00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:20.940
 they disagreed

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.780
 among themselves

00:19:21.780 --> 00:19:22.380
 and began

00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:22.980
 to leave

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.660
 after Paul

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.120
 had made

00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.800
 this final

00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:25.320
 statement

00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:27.080
 he said

00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:27.360
 to them

00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:27.780
 the Holy

00:19:27.780 --> 00:19:28.180
 Spirit

00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.780
 spoke the

00:19:28.780 --> 00:19:29.300
 truth to

00:19:29.300 --> 00:19:29.540
 your

00:19:29.540 --> 00:19:30.280
 forefathers

00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:30.960
 when he

00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.520
 said through

00:19:31.520 --> 00:19:32.160
 Isaiah the

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:32.480
 prophet

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.180
 in other

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.480
 words he

00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:33.780
 was saying

00:19:33.780 --> 00:19:34.200
 what was

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.860
 true of

00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.440
 your fathers

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:35.960
 in their

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.480
 rejection

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.520
 is now

00:19:37.520 --> 00:19:38.340
 true of

00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:38.780
 you

00:19:38.780 --> 00:19:41.000
 verse 26

00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.720
 go to

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.400
 this people

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.100
 and say

00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.540
 you will be

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.460
 ever hearing

00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:47.420
 but never

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.279
 understanding

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.839
 you will be

00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.680
 ever seeing

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.460
 but never

00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.680
 perceiving

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:57.619
 the reason

00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:58.299
 people do

00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.899
 not accept

00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.799
 Jesus but

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.240
 reject the

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.119
 risen Jesus

00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:05.579
 as well as

00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.200
 he says there

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.159
 in verse 26

00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:07.599
 it's their

00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.539
 deaf ears

00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:10.099
 of course

00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.980
 people do

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.720
 hear the

00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.339
 claims of

00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.579
 Jesus

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:12.899
 there's

00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:13.199
 nothing

00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:13.720
 wrong

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.379
 with their

00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.899
 physical

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.419
 hearing

00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:16.759
 but they

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.319
 fail to

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.740
 hear

00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.220
 with

00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.159
 understanding

00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:20.119
 not that

00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.379
 it's

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:20.939
 complicated

00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:21.819
 it's such

00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.679
 a simple

00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.419
 message

00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:24.059
 it's not

00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.599
 difficult

00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.419
 to grasp

00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:28.980
 they just

00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.519
 simply do

00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:29.919
 not want

00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:30.619
 to act

00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.839
 on what

00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.359
 they hear

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:35.399
 but it's

00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:35.819
 not just

00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.359
 their deaf

00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:36.759
 ears

00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:38.399
 it's also

00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.079
 their blind

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.679
 eyes

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:41.700
 of course

00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.360
 people could

00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:42.700
 see

00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.180
 there's

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.759
 nothing wrong

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.120
 with their

00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:46.019
 physical eyesight

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.519
 but they

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.160
 fail to

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.759
 perceive

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.380
 to see

00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:49.880
 that the

00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.420
 truth

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.299
 is in

00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.920
 the person

00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.460
 of Jesus

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.000
 Christ

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.620
 and that

00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.259
 they need

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.840
 to turn

00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.320
 to him

00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:57.740
 it's not

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.160
 that it's

00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.779
 hard to

00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.460
 know what's

00:20:59.460 --> 00:20:59.860
 right

00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:01.840
 they just

00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:02.340
 don't

00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:03.340
 want it

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:06.839
 and deaf

00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.439
 ears

00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.319
 and blind

00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:08.839
 eyes

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:10.319
 are just

00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.980
 a symptom

00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.720
 of the

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.139
 heart

00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.419
 look at

00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:15.319
 verse 27

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.839
 for this

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.379
 people's

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.679
 heart

00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.459
 has become

00:21:18.459 --> 00:21:19.859
 calloused

00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:22.399
 they hardly

00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:22.980
 hear with

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.659
 their ears

00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:25.299
 and they

00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.879
 have closed

00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:26.659
 their eyes

00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:29.259
 the more

00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.339
 people reject

00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.559
 the gospel

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.940
 the harder

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:35.059
 their hearts

00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.919
 become

00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:38.659
 in fact

00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.399
 the danger

00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.200
 is that

00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.879
 their hearts

00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.460
 will become

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.539
 so hard

00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:44.940
 that they

00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.259
 will be

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.940
 unable to

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.240
 turn

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.879
 look at the

00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.259
 rest of

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.099
 verse 27

00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.700
 otherwise

00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:51.659
 they might

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.159
 see with

00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.899
 their eyes

00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:54.419
 hear with

00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.079
 their ears

00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:56.740
 understand

00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.319
 with their

00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:57.819
 hearts

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.980
 and turn

00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.659
 and I

00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.259
 would heal

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.619
 them

00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:06.119
 it's one

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.319
 of the

00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.940
 most painful

00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.539
 things

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.799
 as we

00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.279
 go about

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.480
 our

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:09.819
 mission

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.779
 is that

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.099
 we will

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.359
 meet

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:12.839
 people

00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.299
 who do

00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.079
 not want

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.960
 Jesus

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:18.000
 and very

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.539
 often it

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:18.879
 can be

00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.480
 friends

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.259
 that are

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.819
 close to

00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.160
 us

00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:22.299
 people

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.079
 within

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.279
 our

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.700
 family

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:26.019
 and I

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.359
 can't

00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.559
 make

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.279
 anybody's

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.680
 ears

00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:29.259
 open up

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.799
 to God

00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.879
 I can't

00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.079
 make

00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:31.500
 anybody

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:31.940
 see

00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.879
 I can't

00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.259
 soften

00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.359
 anybody's

00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:34.799
 heart

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.539
 but as

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:36.799
 we've

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.180
 seen

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.720
 all the

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:37.899
 way

00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:38.180
 through

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.559
 Acts

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.379
 the only

00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.019
 person

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.440
 who can

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.079
 do that

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.899
 is the

00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.500
 person of

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:42.940
 the Holy

00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.379
 Spirit

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:43.980
 as he

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.559
 begins to

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.119
 work in

00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.579
 people's

00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:45.899
 lives

00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.339
 do you

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.599
 remember

00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.000
 Lydia

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.379
 that we

00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:47.619
 read

00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:47.940
 about

00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.659
 and God

00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.639
 opened

00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.659
 her heart

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:54.860
 so we

00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.279
 need to

00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.880
 pray that

00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.540
 God by

00:22:56.540 --> 00:22:57.080
 his Holy

00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:57.560
 Spirit

00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.360
 will

00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:58.920
 soften

00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.940
 people's

00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.279
 hearts

00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:02.420
 we need

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.000
 to ask

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.840
 that God

00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.340
 by his

00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:04.759
 Spirit

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.480
 will open

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.160
 up blind

00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.640
 eyes

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.259
 and will

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.820
 unblock

00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.620
 deaf ears

00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:09.680
 and enable

00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.420
 people to

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.560
 see the

00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:12.200
 beauty

00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.640
 of who

00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.019
 Jesus

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.660
 is

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:16.200
 and hear

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.900
 the truth

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.019
 of Jesus

00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:20.720
 sometimes

00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.299
 we need

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.859
 to pray

00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.339
 more

00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:24.480
 than try

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.079
 and tell

00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:27.759
 because it

00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.279
 is only

00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.160
 Christ

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.559
 by the

00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:30.819
 Holy

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.359
 Spirit

00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.639
 working in

00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.119
 people's

00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.559
 lives

00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:35.200
 that their

00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.779
 hearts will

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.639
 become soft

00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:38.079
 and they

00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.639
 will welcome

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.200
 Jesus

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:45.799
 but there's a

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.279
 third thing

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.839
 that comes

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.420
 from this

00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.060
 that I

00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:48.640
 think sums

00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.019
 up the

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.300
 whole

00:23:49.300 --> 00:23:50.480
 of Acts

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:52.060
 that gospel

00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.620
 ministry

00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.539
 continues

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.960
 unhindered

00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.460
 yes

00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.320
 there is

00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.000
 opposition

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.840
 yes

00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.320
 there has

00:23:59.320 --> 00:23:59.539
 been

00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.080
 rejection

00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.539
 we have

00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.160
 seen that

00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:01.500
 throughout

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.240
 people were

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.759
 imprisoned

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.640
 people were

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.360
 stoned to

00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:04.580
 death

00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.380
 it is a

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:05.800
 journey

00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:06.740
 of suffering

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.840
 but the

00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:08.519
 mission of

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:08.900
 God

00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:10.160
 continues

00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.940
 look at

00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.640
 verse 30

00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:13.940
 for two

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.920
 whole years

00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:16.160
 Paul stayed

00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.740
 there in

00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.340
 his own

00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.759
 rented

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.220
 house

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.319
 and welcomed

00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:19.939
 all who

00:24:19.939 --> 00:24:20.359
 came to

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.919
 see him

00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:22.559
 boldly and

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.480
 without hindrance

00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.439
 he preached

00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:24.959
 the kingdom

00:24:24.959 --> 00:24:25.519
 of God

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.459
 and taught

00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:27.119
 about the

00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.699
 Lord Jesus

00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.480
 Christ

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:31.399
 commentators

00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.439
 helpfully point

00:24:32.439 --> 00:24:33.039
 out that the

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.139
 very last word

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.720
 in the book

00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.319
 of Acts

00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:38.619
 in the original

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.819
 is the word

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.980
 unhindered

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.299
 that's the

00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.299
 very last word

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.579
 that's the very

00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.120
 last word

00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.500
 so verse 31

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.279
 should read

00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.920
 something like

00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.200
 this

00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.039
 I don't say

00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.559
 this often

00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.200
 but here you

00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.480
 go

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.259
 get a pen

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.519
 out

00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.620
 and scribble

00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:51.860
 it

00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.380
 ok

00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.440
 this is what

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:53.779
 it should

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.140
 be

00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.720
 Paul

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.200
 preached

00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:55.700
 the kingdom

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.360
 of God

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.720
 and taught

00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.200
 about the

00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.740
 Lord Jesus

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.280
 Christ

00:24:59.280 --> 00:25:00.860
 boldly

00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:02.000
 and

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.020
 unhindered

00:25:03.020 --> 00:25:04.440
 kind of like

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.480
 dot dot dot

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.680
 it's not the

00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.700
 end is it

00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.600
 Acts

00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.500
 closes with

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:09.900
 Paul

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.660
 under house

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.100
 arrest

00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.620
 but yet his

00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.560
 gospel ministry

00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:14.259
 continues

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.480
 he's there

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.240
 welcoming

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.960
 everybody

00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.460
 who will

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:17.920
 come to

00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.160
 him

00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:18.500
 and he's

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:18.920
 able to

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.200
 speak

00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.680
 freely

00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.180
 about

00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:20.759
 Jesus

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.879
 Paul

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.420
 would later

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.920
 write in

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.359
 one of his

00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:23.680
 letters

00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.119
 he says

00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.720
 I am

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.279
 suffering

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.119
 in chains

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.660
 but God's

00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.059
 word

00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.000
 is not

00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.519
 chained

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:32.160
 God's

00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.539
 people

00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.279
 may suffer

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.500
 God's

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:34.799
 people

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.259
 may be

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.700
 imprisoned

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.259
 but the

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.599
 word of

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:37.859
 God

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.160
 and the

00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.440
 gospel

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.980
 can never

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.660
 be chained

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.359
 or held

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:40.779
 back

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:44.119
 it's

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.700
 remarkable

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.519
 to think

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.259
 that the

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.619
 end of

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:47.920
 Acts

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.799
 is 30

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.420
 years

00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.319
 after

00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.799
 Jesus

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.399
 spoke

00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:51.599
 to

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:51.879
 his

00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.500
 disciples

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.939
 just

00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:53.480
 before

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.079
 his

00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.679
 ascension

00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:55.679
 and he

00:25:55.679 --> 00:25:56.000
 spoke

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.179
 to

00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.399
 his

00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:56.919
 disciples

00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.279
 and he

00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.519
 gave

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:57.720
 the

00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.079
 promise

00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.319
 in

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.559
 chapter

00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:58.939
 1

00:25:58.939 --> 00:25:59.240
 verse

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.519
 8

00:25:59.519 --> 00:25:59.980
 that

00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.159
 they

00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:00.319
 would

00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.500
 be

00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:00.980
 witnesses

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.299
 to

00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:01.500
 the

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:01.939
 ends

00:26:01.939 --> 00:26:02.220
 of

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.399
 the

00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:02.740
 earth

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.419
 and

00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:03.879
 30

00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.299
 years

00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.759
 later

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.480
 God

00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.700
 has

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.119
 placed

00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.700
 his

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.379
 witness

00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.960
 in

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.359
 Rome

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.639
 in

00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:09.779
 the

00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.039
 very

00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.599
 capital

00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.279
 of

00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.460
 the

00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:11.960
 greatest

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.000
 empire

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:14.939
 God

00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:15.279
 has

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:15.480
 his

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:15.879
 man

00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.159
 at

00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:16.419
 the

00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:16.859
 center

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.399
 of

00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:17.579
 the

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.139
 world's

00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:18.599
 greatest

00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.319
 power

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.460
 preaching

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.779
 unhindered

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.779
 about

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.019
 the

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.339
 kingdom

00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:23.579
 of

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:23.939
 God

00:26:23.939 --> 00:26:25.259
 isn't

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.399
 that

00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.000
 incredible

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:28.119
 and the

00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.859
 subtlety of

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.279
 this should

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.740
 not be

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.099
 lost

00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.579
 the

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:30.939
 Roman

00:26:30.939 --> 00:26:31.579
 empire

00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.519
 may have

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.039
 been the

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.439
 greatest

00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:35.200
 empire the

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.740
 world has

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.419
 ever seen

00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:39.379
 but it's

00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:39.819
 no more

00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.279
 is it

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.599
 it's the

00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.139
 kingdom of

00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:42.759
 God that's

00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.159
 eternal

00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:45.340
 and God

00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:45.720
 had his

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.120
 witness

00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.840
 right there

00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.340
 at the

00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:47.640
 very

00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.360
 heart

00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:48.960
 of that

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.420
 capital

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.000
 and

00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.500
 Caesar

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.980
 may have

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.320
 been a

00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.880
 victorious

00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.660
 conqueror

00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.200
 he may

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.640
 have gone

00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.200
 through many

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.700
 lands

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.200
 and he

00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.560
 may have

00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:57.019
 won them

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.600
 all over

00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:59.200
 but Caesar's

00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.540
 dead

00:26:59.540 --> 00:27:00.120
 in his

00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.580
 grave

00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:02.400
 his empire

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:02.840
 is no

00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.200
 more

00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:05.100
 but Jesus

00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.560
 is the

00:27:05.560 --> 00:27:06.240
 risen king

00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.360
 who's

00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:07.720
 conquered

00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.220
 death

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.160
 itself

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.380
 reigning

00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.360
 and ruling

00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.300
 from heaven

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:14.399
 this is

00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:14.919
 what Acts

00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:15.700
 28 is

00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.480
 telling us

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:18.899
 you might

00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:19.460
 be asking

00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:19.940
 yourself

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.659
 well what

00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.259
 happened to

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.539
 Paul

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:23.480
 what happened

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.059
 after these

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.740
 two years

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:27.899
 well Luke

00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.559
 doesn't tell

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.960
 us does

00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.159
 he

00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:30.619
 did he

00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.359
 stand trial

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.220
 before Caesar

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.519
 he might

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:33.839
 have

00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:35.399
 did he

00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:35.779
 get to

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.440
 Spain as

00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:36.720
 he had

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.119
 planned

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.940
 he could

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.359
 have done

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.819
 we just

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.440
 don't know

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.299
 but that's

00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.779
 the point

00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.340
 it's not

00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.120
 important for

00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.460
 us to

00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:45.840
 know what

00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.180
 happened

00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.460
 Paul

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.059
 because this

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.460
 isn't a

00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.920
 book about

00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.259
 Paul

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.299
 it's not

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:49.580
 a book

00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.059
 about his

00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.420
 life

00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.240
 it's about

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.900
 the risen

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.640
 Jesus

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.279
 Christ

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:55.140
 who rules

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.920
 and reigns

00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.519
 over all

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.140
 and who

00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:57.820
 will continue

00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.860
 his mission

00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.460
 through his

00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.080
 people and

00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:00.539
 through his

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:00.960
 church

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.039
 unhindered

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:06.159
 like many

00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:06.460
 of the

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.839
 witnesses

00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.339
 that we

00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:07.839
 have met

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.240
 throughout

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:08.859
 acts

00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:11.259
 we too

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.659
 are going

00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.200
 to face

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.899
 opposition

00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:16.180
 and in

00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.819
 many churches

00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.200
 and in

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.859
 many countries

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.460
 today they

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.480
 face persecution

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:21.579
 there will be

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.099
 hardship

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.639
 there will be

00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.059
 suffering

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.960
 simply because

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.480
 we follow

00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:25.960
 Christ

00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:28.359
 but through

00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:28.839
 it all

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:30.299
 God is

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.720
 going to

00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.659
 save his

00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.079
 people

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.519
 and he's

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:33.919
 going to

00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.819
 build his

00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.379
 church

00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:37.039
 and he's

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.459
 going to

00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:38.419
 reach the

00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:38.899
 nations

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:40.379
 and his

00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:40.899
 mission

00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:42.559
 will be

00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.559
 accomplished

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:50.839
 it may

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.519
 start out

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.000
 as being

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.539
 the end

00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:52.779
 of the

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.139
 beginning

00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:55.099
 but we

00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.480
 are now

00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:55.939
 firmly

00:28:55.939 --> 00:28:56.639
 placed

00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.779
 at the

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.199
 beginning

00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.340
 of the

00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.720
 end

00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:01.080
 as we

00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.600
 sit here

00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.019
 today

00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.360
 we are

00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:03.580
 in

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:03.940
 acts

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.759
 29

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.799
 territory

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.720
 all

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.180
 this has

00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.400
 gone

00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.319
 before us

00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:11.279
 and so

00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.880
 much more

00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.480
 has happened

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:14.420
 and so

00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:14.980
 much more

00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.480
 is still

00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.039
 to happen

00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:18.740
 and what's

00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.340
 our legacy

00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:19.920
 going to

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.200
 be

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.940
 when we're

00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.279
 passed

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.799
 through this

00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.200
 life

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.640
 what will

00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:24.960
 be the

00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.279
 legacy

00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.980
 of your

00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.720
 life

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.720
 the

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.059
 legacy

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.559
 of this

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.120
 church

00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.299
 in relation

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.500
 to God's

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.079
 mission

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:34.200
 there are

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.880
 still people

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.559
 groups that

00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.420
 are unreached

00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.940
 there are

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.660
 still towns

00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.279
 in Ireland

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.860
 without a

00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.759
 gospel believing

00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.360
 church

00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:44.039
 we all have

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.640
 friends

00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.259
 and we all

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.920
 have family

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:47.019
 who do not

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.620
 yet know

00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.120
 Christ

00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.299
 as their

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.779
 Lord and

00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.220
 Saviour

00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:52.779
 but that's

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.059
 why we

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.400
 have been

00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:54.860
 rescued

00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:56.240
 that's why

00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.819
 we're in

00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.200
 God's

00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.539
 kingdom

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:59.220
 because God's

00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.839
 purpose for

00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.920
 you is to

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.440
 keep living

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:01.819
 out the

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.160
 mission

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.579
 where you

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:03.880
 are

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:06.720
 and I

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.339
 pray that

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.759
 God

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.120
 will fill

00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.579
 us

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.759
 and fill

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.539
 this church

00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.799
 by the

00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.380
 power of

00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:14.819
 his Holy

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.220
 Spirit

00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.700
 that we

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.059
 would be

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.660
 people who

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.920
 pray for

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.580
 his mission

00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:21.120
 that we

00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:21.960
 would give

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.880
 for his

00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.279
 mission

00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.620
 and that we

00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:25.259
 would go

00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.300
 for his

00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:26.680
 mission

00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:28.820
 let's pray

00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:29.400
 that right

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:29.700
 now

00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:51.060
 we thank

00:30:51.060 --> 00:30:51.420
 you so

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:51.920
 much for

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.300
 Jesus

00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:55.560
 we thank

00:30:55.560 --> 00:30:55.920
 you for

00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.279
 the good

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.880
 news of

00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.560
 the kingdom

00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.180
 of God

00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:00.940
 that Jesus

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.680
 Christ is

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.060
 risen

00:31:02.060 --> 00:31:04.200
 has defeated

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.759
 death

00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:07.180
 destroyed

00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.600
 evil

00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:10.420
 and through

00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:10.920
 our hope

00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.320
 in you

00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:12.680
 we have

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.420
 life today

00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:15.000
 and life

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.460
 eternal

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:17.740
 thank you

00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.240
 that you are

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.740
 sovereign

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.539
 over our

00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:19.980
 life

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.519
 sovereign

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.279
 over every

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.759
 family

00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.440
 represented

00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:23.920
 here

00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:26.140
 ruler

00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.420
 over this

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:27.799
 world

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:30.980
 we pray

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.640
 that by

00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.240
 the power

00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.579
 of your

00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:32.859
 Holy

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.400
 Spirit

00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:35.279
 you would

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.660
 soften

00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.620
 hard hearts

00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:39.559
 open up

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.079
 people's

00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.420
 eyes

00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:42.319
 unblock

00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.839
 their deaf

00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.220
 ears

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:45.000
 that they

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.620
 may welcome

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.039
 Jesus

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.519
 into their

00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:47.899
 life

00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:48.799
 and their

00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.379
 families

00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:51.619
 and we

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.139
 pray that

00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:52.440
 you would

00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.139
 fill us

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.159
 and that

00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.440
 you would

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.039
 fill this

00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.639
 church with

00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.299
 the power

00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.859
 of your

00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.599
 Holy Spirit

00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.799
 that we

00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.339
 would be a

00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:00.359
 people who

00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:00.859
 pray

00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:02.119
 that we

00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:02.639
 would be a

00:32:02.639 --> 00:32:03.319
 people who

00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:03.659
 give

00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:05.500
 and that we

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:05.839
 would be

00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.440
 people who

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:06.740
 go

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:09.380
 father

00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.000
 work through

00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.440
 us we

00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:10.779
 pray

00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:12.640
 in all of

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.299
 our weaknesses

00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:15.000
 and in all

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.660
 our failures

00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.480
 and all our

00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.200
 upsets

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.460
 and in

00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.120
 everything that

00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:19.740
 goes wrong

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.480
 you are

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.039
 working your

00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.640
 plan out

00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:24.120
 and we

00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.660
 praise you

00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.100
 that it's

00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:25.680
 not up to

00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.800
 us but

00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:27.940
 you working

00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:29.340
 through us

00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:31.900
 please help

00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:34.000
 us and we

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.620
 thank you for

00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:35.200
 your mission

00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:36.920
 and for

00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.960
 calling us to

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.540
 be a part

00:32:38.540 --> 00:32:39.040
 of it

00:32:39.040 --> 00:32:40.620
 Amen

00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:47.180
 we're going

00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:47.700
 to sing

00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:51.960
 I guess we

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.620
 don't normally

00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.559
 associate this

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.340
 with being a

00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:55.420
 Christmas carol

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.819
 but in some

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.500
 ways it does

00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.299
 remind us of

00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.160
 the incarnation

00:32:59.160 --> 00:33:00.200
 of Christ

00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.620
 entering into

00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.120
 the world

00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:02.920
 for us

00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:05.059
 but with

00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.880
 Christ entering

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.559
 into the world

00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.559
 he calls us

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:09.059
 to follow him

00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.460
 to bring our

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.140
 lives as a

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.860
 daily offering

00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:12.460
 of worship

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.900
 to the

00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.559
 servant king

00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.279
 so may this

00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.860
 be our

00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.259
 prayer

00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.980
 in response

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:19.700
 to what

00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.079
 we've been

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.579
 looking at

00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.299
 through Acts

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:22.720
 and may we

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.160
 live this

00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.799
 mission out

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.660
 together

00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:25.720
 as his

00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.119
 people

00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:29.379
 let's

00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:29.640
 pray