WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:11.179 Okay. Okay, good morning again. A little bit better than last time. I'm Chris. I'm one 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:16.359 of the teaching pastors here, and I'm just very excited about going through this book 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:23.879 of Acts. Together as a church, if you've been tracking with us, we've been seeing that Acts 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:31.419 starts with the gospel where Jesus dies, he rises again, he ascends to heaven, and then 00:00:31.419 --> 00:00:37.659 as he's directing his mission from heaven where he rules and reigns, he sends out his 00:00:37.659 --> 00:00:46.820 people into the world to spread his kingdom. And today we're going to be looking at a message 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:52.939 which I really feel is very pertinent even for myself. I'm preaching to myself as much 00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:54.939 as much as possible. I'm going to be talking to you about the gospel, and I'm going to be 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:58.659 a little bit better. So could we just bow our heads and pray? Because I really believe God 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:11.979 wants to speak to us this morning. Sovereign Lord, we stand in awe of you. Open our eyes 00:01:11.979 --> 00:01:20.079 so that we would be those who tremble at your word. Lord, we want to hear you. We don't just 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:27.799 want to hear you. We want to live out what you tell us. Change us. Empower us. Speak to 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:36.739 us. Enable us to be the people you want us to be. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. Okay, 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:44.480 so, book of Acts. And we talked about the key verse in the book of Acts is Acts chapter 1, 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:49.719 verse 8, which talks about you're going to be my witnesses in, do you remember where it was? 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:59.700 Witnesses in Jerusalem, Poc Fulam, okay? Judea, which is Hong Kong Island, okay? Samaria, 00:02:01.080 --> 00:02:09.280 Kowloon, good. And maybe new territories. And to the ends of the earth. And we said that being a 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:15.680 witness is someone who falls in love with Jesus and is just transparent about it in their lives. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:23.259 And we said that that takes place, witnessing takes place in the context of building relationships 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:30.099 with other people, introducing them to Christian community. And it happens in the ordinary everydayness 00:02:30.099 --> 00:02:35.879 of life. You don't have to be a superhero to be a witness. You know, it happens in your workplaces. 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:41.519 It happens among your interests and your hobbies. It happens among your family and your friends. It just happens 00:02:41.519 --> 00:02:48.240 in the everydayness of life. We just look to love people, look to introduce them to Christian community. 00:02:48.799 --> 00:02:57.900 And it's living ordinary life with gospel intentionality. So we pray that as God by His Spirit 00:02:57.900 --> 00:03:05.000 comes and empowers us as He does the early church, fills us with His presence, that we would have the boldness 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:09.080 and the opportunities to proclaim them to the people around us. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:16.319 And we saw that in the last couple of weeks how when God is dwelling amongst us, it changes us to be 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:24.539 a generous, devoted community. It changes us to be an expectant, prayerful community. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:30.400 Ordinary people doing ordinary things with an extraordinary God. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:33.520 That's what church is about. That's why we're here. 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:38.920 And so, I've just seen the kind of work that has been done in the last couple of weeks. 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:43.180 You know, we've seen with Soda and what's been happening with Dan and Soda. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:48.640 I've also seen just a few of us guys, we've got together and we've started playing football on a Thursday night. 00:03:49.180 --> 00:03:51.480 Very ordinary. Some of us just need to get fit. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:54.659 Some of us more than others. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:04:02.060 But we've just started playing down there, gathering a few guys with Adrian. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:06.280 But going with the intention, we want to build relationships with people. 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:07.959 We want to engage with people down there. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:11.799 And what's happened is we've gone down there and suddenly a load of people from the community have said, 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:13.259 Hey, can we play? Can we join in? 00:04:13.459 --> 00:04:15.319 And we're just building relationships with them. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:20.019 And last week, there was one guy who came up to the end with his wife and his little kid and said, 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:23.540 Hey, I'm a chef. We'd love to cook for you guys. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:27.899 And I'm like, this is mission. I love this kind of mission. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:34.139 You know, mission isn't always you have to kind of go to deepest, darkest Africa and just feed starving people. 00:04:35.039 --> 00:04:41.560 Sometimes mission can be doing the things that we love and enjoy, but doing them with gospel intentionality. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:46.000 And so we're doing that. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:49.560 That's what we want to call every one of us in this church. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:58.139 He's placed you here with gifts, with talents, with interests, in places, your work, your family, relationships. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:01.699 And so we're here. 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:03.840 Staff is not here to run the whole church. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:09.019 We're here to equip and support us to be the church with the way God has wired us. 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:14.939 And so our prayer is that each one of you will rise up and say, Hey, I love cooking. 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:18.899 Why don't I initiate something where we get together with some of the other people from our community? 00:05:19.299 --> 00:05:22.039 And we just cook and we invite non-church friends. 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:26.419 And in the context of relationships, we look to be transparent about our faith. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:28.019 That's the mission. 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:31.459 And as we're doing that, we're praying crazily, God, give us boldness. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:32.299 Give us opportunities. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:34.099 Help us to love these people with the gospel. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:34.919 Okay? 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:36.099 That's the mission strategy. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:38.199 That's the mission strategy in Acts. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:40.420 That's what we're about here. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:50.199 And so as we come in to look at the book of Acts, I'm going to look today at something we maybe don't talk about quite so much. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:57.219 But it's an absolute reality if we want to be witnesses for Christ. 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:00.459 And I want to talk about opposition and suffering. 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:04.719 I know you're really excited now. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:05.279 Okay? 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:08.819 I hear, I heard the mood just kind of go up in the congregation. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:21.799 But Joyce Meyer, who is a famous American preacher, she says, God wants to do something outrageously wonderful in your life every moment of every day. 00:06:22.039 --> 00:06:24.399 You have to be ready and expect it to happen. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:26.199 That's what she says. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:31.299 Now, I think a lot of it depends on how you define wonderful. 00:06:32.359 --> 00:06:36.039 Because the first three chapters of Acts are truly wonderful. 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:38.399 I mean, there is just miracles. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:39.620 There is power. 00:06:40.099 --> 00:06:42.500 There is people being saved in their thousands. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:45.219 There's this community coming together, loving each other. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:46.120 It's just amazing. 00:06:46.239 --> 00:06:47.159 It's truly wonderful. 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:53.180 Well, chapters 1 to 3, chapters 4 to 7, you then just get a whole load of opposition. 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:55.140 It's a spiritual battle. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:58.400 It's not quite as sexy as the first three chapters were. 00:06:59.380 --> 00:07:02.880 You see, you get persecution coming from outside the church. 00:07:02.960 --> 00:07:05.920 And you get sin and conflict inside the church. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:10.320 And this is what always happens when the gospel is going out, when it's being faithfully proclaimed. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:12.860 There is always opposition to it. 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:18.639 And we like to kind of have the Acts chapter 1 to 3, the kind of exciting part. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:26.379 But we don't like to talk so much about 4 to 7, which is like the opposition and the battle and the challenge part. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:31.080 But the thing is, the way Acts is written is, that's precisely how God's kingdom grows. 00:07:31.900 --> 00:07:34.300 God's kingdom grows through the opposition. 00:07:34.960 --> 00:07:37.580 And he builds his church through that. 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:40.240 So today, we're going to look at three things. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:45.579 We're going to look at opposition, a bigger fear, and a community of prayer. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:46.100 Okay? 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:49.300 Opposition, a bigger fear, and a community of prayer. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:53.180 And I'm going to spend most of the time on the first section and a little bit less time on the other two. 00:07:53.780 --> 00:07:58.800 So if you've got your bulletin with you, just kind of track with me through this. 00:07:58.800 --> 00:07:59.800 Okay. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:00.800 Okay. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:13.180 What's happened so far is Peter and John have just healed the resident lame guy, okay, at the temple. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:15.960 You know, everyone knew him as a lame Larry. 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:20.600 And now what's happened, he's now leaping Larry because he's been healed. 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:22.900 And everyone's stunned. 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:25.699 They can't imagine what's happened. 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:29.459 And Peter gets up and he starts preaching the gospel to them. 00:08:29.659 --> 00:08:31.659 And it's a pretty direct message. 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:35.519 He says, it was your sin, guys, that crucified Jesus. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:39.360 And he says, he rose again. 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:45.559 And this Jesus can restore you to a relationship with God just like he's restored this lame guy. 00:08:46.319 --> 00:08:48.960 And you need to repent and you need to turn to him for forgiveness. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:53.700 And in spite of the message, everything's going amazingly. 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:56.320 And then 4 verse 1 comes. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:57.220 Read this with me. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:05.720 And as they were speaking, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them greatly annoyed. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:11.720 Because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:12.460 Okay. 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:21.100 Right in mid-preach, this powerful religious elite who didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead, because they were very rational. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:23.399 They thought, you can't believe in that kind of thing. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:28.200 And they were offended by what they were teaching. 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:30.580 And they felt undermined by their authority. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:33.220 And so they wanted to put a stop to this Jesus movement. 00:09:34.019 --> 00:09:37.060 And so here, mid-preach, it's like they get grabbed. 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:42.519 You know, it's like somebody just, five guys in kind of dark glasses and dark kind of coats coming in right now. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.620 And dragging me off the stage. 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:46.320 And I'm saying, you need to believe in Jesus. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:48.120 And they're dragging me away. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:52.320 And 5,000 people say, I want some of that. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:58.139 That's not normally the way that we preach the gospel to people. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:10:01.679 We normally preach the gospel to people and say, hey, Jesus wants to give you love. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:02.679 He wants to give you peace. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.100 He wants to give you a happy life. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.720 But Peter and John aren't preaching like that. 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:09.440 They're saying, come to Jesus and kind of get thrown in jail. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.740 And 5,000 people are going, yes. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.680 Now, there's something. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:18.019 I mean, how can people do that? 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:26.100 Because there's something so compelling about the gospel message that some people will be attracted, 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:30.740 and even at the cost, to their own lives. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:35.580 You see, I knew a guy, knew of a guy who was an Iraqi Muslim Kurd. 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:38.960 And he heard about Jesus. 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:45.040 And he was so captivated with Jesus that he wanted to follow him. 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:46.220 But his family found out. 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:52.139 And they said to him, you know, if you follow Jesus, your wife is going to leave you. 00:10:52.300 --> 00:10:54.060 We're going to take your kids away from you. 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.160 And we're going to kill you. 00:10:56.660 --> 00:10:59.240 And for weeks, he kind of agonized. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:00.440 What do I do? 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:03.880 I mean, who would want to be in that situation? 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:09.640 But after a few weeks, he suddenly came down and he said, you know, 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:14.920 if what you're telling me about Christ is true, 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:25.779 if God, the creator of the universe, truly came down and died on a cross for me to forgive me of all that I've done to bring me in a relationship with himself, 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:33.159 then there is no price too high to pay for that kind of love, to pay to get into that kind of relationship. 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.539 And you know what he did? 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:36.139 He became a Christian. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.759 And his family all left him. 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:41.439 And he had to flee from the village. 00:11:43.319 --> 00:11:47.759 And he said, though I have had everything taken away from me, I still have Christ. 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:50.259 And that's enough for me. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:12:00.580 And I wonder sometimes as Christians, even for myself, I think I've made Christianity sometimes too cheap, too easy. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:08.379 And the gospel is so kind of banal that I'm barely willing to get out of bed on time on a Sunday morning to be able to worship the living God. 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:12.019 Let alone sacrifice my life for him. 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:18.059 And the question is, how precious is Jesus to us? 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:20.759 Because the disciples knew it. 00:12:22.699 --> 00:12:29.679 Because you see, what happens is the gospel message will attract some people, but it'll also offend some people, 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:32.559 no matter how lovingly you share it with people. 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:38.559 Because, you know, the gospel message actually is not really... 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:43.939 It's a challenging message. 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:50.260 Because, you know, I mean, sometimes Christians are just offensive because they're narrow-minded bigots. 00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:52.800 You know, sometimes they are. 00:12:53.140 --> 00:12:58.160 Sometimes Christian sexual ethics in our culture is very offensive to many people. 00:12:58.540 --> 00:13:04.540 But, you know, the thing I find underneath everything, the thing that actually really offends most people is Jesus himself. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:09.480 Not the Jesus they think, but actually the Jesus who says what he says in the Bible. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:14.240 Because, you know, I can talk about God to people quite a lot. 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:16.360 I can go around to God, and people are generally okay. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:18.480 Because they're like, hey, you've got your God, I've got my God. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.399 You know, it's fine. 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:22.360 I met one guy who said, hey, yeah, God's like an alien. 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.860 You know, he's kind of a superpower and this kind of thing. 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:26.779 And so, great, you have your God, I've got mine. 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:32.480 But, you know, you bring them face to face with Jesus, and it gets just a little bit more personal. 00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:35.699 A little bit more like you've got to make a response now. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:41.720 Because it's okay with an impersonal, vague God, but Jesus is not impersonal. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:44.059 He's in your face. 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:48.699 And what Jesus says to you is, if you're religious and you think you're okay, 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:53.419 if you're not religious and you think you're okay, then you're blind and you're in denial. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:57.979 He said, I didn't come for healthy people, I came for sick people. 00:13:58.839 --> 00:14:03.379 And he says, the gospel is like a doctor diagnosing us as terminally ill. 00:14:03.719 --> 00:14:08.919 And it's saying your illness is your self-centeredness, your selfishness. 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:12.079 You're in need of a savior more than you realize. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:15.500 You're in need of forgiveness and grace more than you realize. 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:22.799 And if you think Christianity is a crutch, absolutely it is. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:26.419 But the question is, do you think you can live without a crutch? 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:29.000 Do you think you can manage by yourself? 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:32.539 Well, have a look at all your anger problems. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:36.479 Have a look at your impatience towards your kids and your colleagues. 00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:39.319 Look at how critical and unkind you can be. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:43.039 Look at the train wreck of relationships, the worry, the stress levels. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.399 And we think we're okay? 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:46.079 Right? 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:50.240 You know, deep down, I think we know we're sick. 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:50.980 But we don't want that. 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:53.900 We want somebody to come along and say, hey, you're great. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.040 You're fine. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.680 You're good. 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:57.100 Just try a little bit harder. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.280 That's what we want. 00:14:58.780 --> 00:14:59.040 Right? 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:00.120 Because it makes us feel better. 00:15:00.660 --> 00:15:01.980 And the gospel doesn't do that. 00:15:02.020 --> 00:15:03.600 That's why it's offensive to us. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:12.899 But if you go to a doctor in real pain, kind of throwing up, dizzy, and he says, hey, you're fine. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.080 You're just, I've never seen anyone healthier. 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:17.500 Is that good news? 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.740 Have you ever had that? 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:23.600 Where you go to the doctor and you're like in real pain and everything, and they say, I can't find anything wrong with you. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:26.159 That's the most annoying thing. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:29.259 It's like, I want you to tell me what's wrong with me. 00:15:30.040 --> 00:15:30.379 Right? 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:33.759 That's what the gospel does. 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:39.740 The gospel is good news because it's telling you, you have a serious sickness, but then it tells you, I'm going to, I've got a cure. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:43.679 And Jesus Christ is the cure. 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:47.439 The gospel says, we're self-centered. 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:50.740 We worship alternative gods other than the true God. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:57.700 But it's amazingly good news because God diagnoses the deepest issues of your heart that no one else is going to tell you about. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.600 And he's done something about it. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:04.840 He sent Christ to die, to restore, to bring you to himself. 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:06.740 And that's always going to offend people. 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:16.740 And as you look at the passage, the disciples say, salvation is found in nobody else. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:19.700 Salvation from yourself is not found in therapy. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.820 It's not found in yoga. 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:22.480 It's not found in some me time. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.240 It's found in Jesus Christ. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:26.940 And the disciples know it's true. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.980 Look in verse 5 to 7. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.519 5 to 7. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.480 It's fascinating. 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:34.379 They're surrounded by these religious elite. 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:40.379 They're placed like rabbits in the midst of a pack of mad wolves, just as Jesus had been a few months earlier. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:48.860 And can you imagine the temptation to kind of dumb down the gospel message in this situation? 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:52.560 You know, here are ordinary blue-collar guys. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:55.180 You know, it's like the lifelong McDonald's cashier. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:58.200 There's someone who's no real education. 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:02.340 They're facing the most educated elites, the most powerful people around. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:08.259 You know, it's like the new cleaner of J.P. Morgan gets dragged before the global board. 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.420 You know, and they're all mad at him. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:12.700 And that's what it's like here. 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.220 This is not just a scary job appraisal, though. 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:18.800 This is a life and death, because a few months earlier, Jesus had faced the same people. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.300 And we know what happened to him. 00:17:22.320 --> 00:17:23.740 But you know what it says? 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:26.779 Filled with the Spirit. 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:34.340 Despised Galilean fishermen who wouldn't get into a band 5 school in Hong Kong. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:36.380 They don't fudge the message one bit. 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.279 Verse 11, they say, 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:44.460 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:50.859 What they're doing is they're quoting an Old Testament passage, which is about King David being rejected by the people. 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.160 And they're saying, 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:58.740 Just as King David was rejected by some people, but God vindicated him as the greatest king. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.119 Well, there's a greater king who's come. 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:07.240 And you're looking at Jesus, and you are the guys who are meant to be building God's community here. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.079 And what you've done is you've looked at Jesus and said, 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.839 Oh, I don't need him. 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:13.220 Nah, doesn't look great. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:15.279 Let me just build my own thing by myself. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.900 And they say, 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.000 He says, 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.180 Basically, you guys, 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:22.200 You've rejected the one stone that you really needed. 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:26.460 Because the cornerstone is the most important stone in a building. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.779 It basically sets the angle, 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.620 Sets the level, 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:31.200 Sets how wide the building is going to be. 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:33.400 Everything else is built upon it. 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:35.400 And he says, 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:37.140 You guys have missed that. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:41.800 But Jesus is the foundation of God's community. 00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:44.019 And that's where you find, 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:45.280 When you're in his family, 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.780 You find acceptance. 00:18:47.300 --> 00:18:48.120 You find welcome. 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:50.519 You find an unshakable cornerstone. 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:51.340 And if you're a Christian, 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.560 You're a brick in his building. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:55.640 You're part of him, rooted, established. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.840 And he's not going anywhere. 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.540 He's unshakable. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:04.779 And that helps when there is intimidation to dumb down the gospel. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.059 I don't know for you, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:10.480 Where does fear tempt you to dumb down your witness to Christ? 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.460 Where does it tempt you? 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:15.779 Like, who is it that's big in your eyes, 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:18.480 Who tempts you to be intimidated, 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:20.639 So you run away from Christ, 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.019 And you say, 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:26.339 I'm going to shift a little bit from standing boldly on Christ. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:31.699 You know, I went to an alumni event in Hong Kong a little while ago. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.579 And you know those kind of events where everyone's talking, 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:37.259 And people are saying, 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:39.319 Okay, what's your name? 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.619 Where do you come from? 00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.639 How long have you been in Hong Kong? 00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:42.859 And there's always that question, 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.079 Which is, 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.439 What do you do? 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.059 Right? 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.419 And you know, 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:50.559 It's fine when I'm with Fiona, 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.559 Because Fiona says, 00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:54.119 I'm a lawyer. 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:55.939 And everyone goes, 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.779 That's really cool. 00:19:58.199 --> 00:19:58.799 And they say, 00:19:58.879 --> 00:20:00.099 They kind of ask more questions. 00:20:00.179 --> 00:20:01.099 Okay, what firm is it? 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:02.159 What kind of law do you do? 00:20:02.199 --> 00:20:02.479 And you know, 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.579 The conversation goes on. 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.519 And then after a little while, 00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:05.779 They then turn to me. 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.459 And they say, 00:20:07.479 --> 00:20:08.139 And what do you do? 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.379 And I kind of pause for a minute, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.000 And I say, 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:14.079 I'm a pastor in a church. 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:18.599 It's fascinating how much of a conversation killer that is. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:22.159 Because at that moment, 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.919 People kind of start shifting awkwardly, 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.459 And they smile, 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:24.759 And they say, 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.679 Oh, I've just got to go and get another drink. 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.799 And you feel like, 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:33.319 Am I some weirdo in the corner? 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.740 Right? 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:38.659 And so what I try and do sometimes is, 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.879 Sometimes I've kind of, 00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:41.399 Okay, I want to carry on the conversation. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.439 So I say things like, 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:42.679 Okay, 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:45.820 I work in life and death. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.680 All right, 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:50.740 I work for the world's biggest organization. 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:54.100 But then they ask more questions, 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:54.580 And it's like, 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.060 Well, actually, 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.600 I'm a pastor. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.519 And then the same effect. 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.420 So it's no use. 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:00.900 And, 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.940 And you know, 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.759 I think we all have this thing. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.000 It's like, 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.160 You know, 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.160 In the playground at school, 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.539 There's always the cool kids, 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.480 And the uncool kids. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:10.220 And we all want to be in the cool kids section. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.660 And as adults, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.240 We do the same. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.880 Just look at networking events. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:14.620 Right? 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:15.759 We have exactly the same. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.759 We all want to be, 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.220 Like, 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.759 Think that, 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.660 Important people think that we're important. 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:20.880 Right? 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.740 Nobody wants to feel like we're left out. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.039 We all want to be liked. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.259 We all want to belong. 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.640 And God has kind of designed us that way. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:29.480 He's designed us to want to belong. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.620 But the problem comes, 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.180 Not in the desire to want to belong. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.700 But when the desire to belong, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.839 Is too much, 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.819 Too great. 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:41.120 So that my fear of the shame of not belonging, 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:44.199 Overtakes my transparency as a witness to Christ. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.619 You know, 00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:47.959 I fear the loss, 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:50.059 Of what it will involve. 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:50.799 You know, 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.739 If I'm not included. 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:55.579 If I'm not seen as being acceptable by everybody else. 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:59.179 And then when my craving for approval, 00:21:59.179 --> 00:22:00.639 Means I dumbed down the gospel, 00:22:01.219 --> 00:22:04.159 Then people have become bigger in my eyes than Christ. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:07.500 And I'm no longer trusting him as my cornerstone. 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.080 You know, 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:10.700 If you want to follow Christ and be a witness, 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:12.440 People will be offended by you. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.220 Some people will be drawn by you. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:19.100 You may be thought of as stupid and left out. 00:22:19.800 --> 00:22:21.620 Early Christians had that all the time. 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:24.000 They were called the haters of humanity. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.600 And yet, 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:26.700 You know, 00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:27.540 It could be, 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:30.100 You may feel the left out in job promotions. 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:33.159 It could be you feel left out in being single, 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:35.219 When you've chosen not to date a non-Christian, 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.679 In your relationships. 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.480 And you feel that sense of being left out. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:43.579 And you wonder whether it's worth it. 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:48.639 But Christ comes to us and says, 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.939 Look up at me again, 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:53.579 Because I am the precious cornerstone of your life. 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.480 I am unshakable. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.899 When the church dumps down the gospel, 00:22:57.900 --> 00:23:00.000 Throughout history, 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.980 What happens is, 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:03.360 It just kind of ends up running, 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:05.000 Kind of social club events. 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:07.380 It starts doing soup kitchens for the poor. 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.420 And that's all it does. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.460 Those are good things, 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.460 But that's all it does. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.600 And it loses, 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.600 The ability to meet the deepest needs, 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.720 In the hearts of people. 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.759 Which no one else, 00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:18.780 And nothing else in our society can meet. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.660 Which is the need for a savior. 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.720 A need for the grace, 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:24.160 That comes only from Christ. 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:29.680 So that's the opposition that we can face. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:31.240 It challenges us, 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.160 With our sense of approval. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.580 We fear. 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:39.220 That's why we often dumb it down. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.920 But how in a pressured society, 00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:43.220 Do we overcome this fear? 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.560 We need a bigger fear. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.340 We need a bigger fear. 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:50.640 Paul Tripp, 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.340 Who some of you may know, 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.419 He says, 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.619 The only way to fight fear, 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.319 Is with fear. 00:23:58.159 --> 00:24:00.480 It's the fear of something greater, 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:03.659 That disarms the fear of something lesser. 00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:05.099 Did you get that? 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.539 The fear of something greater, 00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:08.459 Disarms the fear of something lesser. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.939 Spiritual growth, 00:24:09.939 --> 00:24:10.279 He says, 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.759 Is about recapturing, 00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:13.539 Your awe of God. 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.439 He says, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.019 If every day I'm not wooed, 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.759 And seduced by the glory of God, 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.659 Then I'll be wooed, 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.359 And seduced by something else. 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.639 Will either be captured, 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.880 By the glory of God, 00:24:23.040 --> 00:24:25.220 Or be captivated by our fears. 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:28.820 Look in verse 13. 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:33.720 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.340 And perceived that they were unschooled, 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:35.780 Ordinary, 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:37.500 Unschooled common men, 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.140 They were astonished, 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.940 And they recognized, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.780 That they had been with Jesus. 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:48.680 Even the hardened rationalists of the Sadducees, 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:51.599 Was struck by the fearlessness, 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:53.539 Of Peter and John. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.599 And you notice they don't say, 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.440 Wow, 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.420 Peter and John, 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.759 They're pretty amazing dudes. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.420 They don't say, 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.319 Wow, 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.619 They went to really good schools, 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.960 To be able to speak like that. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.180 They don't say, 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:08.279 What self-confident people. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:12.399 They saw the weakness of these people. 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.160 Simple. 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.420 Not smart. 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.680 Not greatly intellectual. 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.240 Like many of us, 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.019 Like we say, 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.359 I don't have enough Bible knowledge, 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.339 I don't have enough this, 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.639 And they would say the same, 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:26.220 But actually what happens is, 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.160 The only thing they conclude, 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.440 Is these guys have been with Jesus. 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.859 These guys have been with Jesus. 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:35.039 And so what they do, 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.519 Is they threaten Peter and John, 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:36.759 You know, 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.539 It's going to get messy, 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:39.199 If they make too much of a scene out of it. 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:39.919 And they say, 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:41.899 If you talk about Jesus one more time, 00:25:41.979 --> 00:25:42.240 Basically, 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.979 You're going to end up like him, 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.099 Nailed on a cross. 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.179 They forgot about the second part, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.099 The resurrection part, 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:48.740 But never mind. 00:25:50.199 --> 00:25:51.819 And Peter and John say this amazing line, 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.379 Verse 19, 00:25:52.479 --> 00:25:52.679 They say, 00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:54.279 Whether it's right in the sight of God, 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.359 To listen to you, 00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:56.619 Rather than to God, 00:25:56.699 --> 00:25:57.500 You must judge. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.079 For we cannot but speak, 00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:01.000 Of what we have seen and heard. 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:02.519 I mean, 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:04.259 How free is that? 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:04.740 I mean, 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:05.299 You, 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.579 Think of the person, 00:26:06.699 --> 00:26:08.279 Who intimidates you the most. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:08.839 Okay? 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.579 The person that you would find, 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:12.619 The biggest issue is sharing the gospel with them. 00:26:12.979 --> 00:26:13.619 Think about that. 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:13.979 Now, 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.379 Maybe it would be your boss. 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.119 Okay? 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.839 And you could go up to them, 00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:18.299 And tell them, 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:18.539 Listen, 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:21.079 You can fire me if you want to, 00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:22.779 But I answer to God above all, 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.839 And I'm more afraid of him, 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.599 Than I am of you. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.879 Wouldn't you love to be able to do that? 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.459 I mean, 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:31.439 In a good way, 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.539 Not in a bad way. 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:33.940 You know, 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:36.120 That's supernatural courage. 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.559 That's attractive. 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:40.640 Even if people don't agree with what you say, 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:43.559 There's something compelling about that. 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.900 And the only way, 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.220 You and I, 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.460 Can have that. 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.400 And the promise is, 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.600 If you have the spirit of God, 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:53.120 Which we all do if you are a Christian, 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:54.960 That is available to us. 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:57.080 The only way you get that kind of boldness, 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:59.000 Is if you're more in awe of Jesus, 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:01.500 Than the people and circumstances around you. 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:04.059 If Jesus is big, 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:04.919 People are small. 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.439 And you know, 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.279 How do we do that? 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:08.619 Well, 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.939 We spend time with Jesus, 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.799 Through his word. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:14.439 We have to preach to ourselves. 00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:17.500 We need to preach to ourselves in prayer. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.659 Preach to ourselves as we're in community. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.919 Take his word, 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.960 Meditate on it. 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.960 That word meditate means, 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.340 Chew it like a cow. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:26.640 Take it again and again and again. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:29.100 And so that it just becomes this sword, 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:31.000 In the battle that you fight with. 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.019 Because you see, 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.400 What we do in our culture, 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.799 Is we meditate on a lot of things. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.319 We preach to ourselves a lot of things. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:38.380 We preach fear a lot of the time. 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:40.120 I find it really, 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.920 Really interesting, 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:44.380 Just how much of a culture of fear we live in. 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.100 Like, 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:47.860 I'm on these WhatsApp chat groups. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:51.480 And people send around all these scare stories. 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.240 Right? 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.079 About, 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.500 You know, 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:55.000 The things you can't eat or drink. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.940 Otherwise you're going to die, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.360 Or turn green or something. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.740 Right? 00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:58.299 You know, 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:59.840 Parts of your body you're going to drop off, 00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.480 If you do this. 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.019 And, 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.340 You know, 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.420 I've been told, 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.640 Recently, 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.539 You can't eat leftovers, 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.500 Because I'll get cancer. 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.100 I can't drink cold water, 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.279 Because I won't be able to have babies. 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:11.740 I can't work in the job that I am at the moment, 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:13.180 Because I won't be able to provide my family. 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.340 And I could go on, 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.819 And on, 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.259 And on, 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:17.019 And all the things that I can't do, 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.220 Or I shouldn't do. 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:20.420 All this kind of fear that is preached at me. 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.420 And you begin to start thinking, 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:21.779 Oh, 00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:22.100 Yeah. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.840 Maybe it's right. 00:28:24.800 --> 00:28:26.300 Maybe if I stand up for Jesus, 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.920 People are not going to like me. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.680 Maybe if I do this, 00:28:30.800 --> 00:28:32.180 People are not going to do this. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.920 Maybe I'm going to lose my job if I do this. 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:35.060 And all this fear, 00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:36.800 We preach to ourselves. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.900 And we compare ourselves to everyone else, 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.600 Who seems greater, 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:40.980 Don't we? 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:42.080 And then it makes us even more afraid, 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.140 Because we look at where we're at, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.779 And where they're at, 00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:44.080 And we think, 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.360 Oh! 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.300 You know, 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.360 Just go in the school playground, 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.539 And talk to other parents. 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:50.240 That's enough to scare you. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:51.879 Right? 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.940 And what happens, 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:58.139 Because we're so desperate to be in the in crowd, 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.440 And we don't want to be left out, 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:03.500 That we end up scared of what are just kittens. 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:07.200 And then we say things like, 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.500 I don't have time to read my Bible, 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.859 But I've got time to stress. 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:13.000 I've got time to stress. 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.700 And we don't see that God's word, 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.259 Is there to kill your fear, 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.539 By giving you a greater fear, 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:19.480 Which is an awe of God. 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.559 We need to preach to our fears, 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.259 Day by day. 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.740 Isn't it stupid, 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.319 To be afraid of a kitten, 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:30.140 And be completely nonchalant, 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:31.720 With a lion standing behind you? 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:33.940 Right? 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.559 Because if you see, 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:38.359 That the lion behind you, 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:40.319 Is the creator of the universe, 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.740 He holds your breath, 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.900 He holds your life, 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:44.000 He holds your death, 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:46.000 He has numbered your days in his hand, 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.460 He speaks and it happens, 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.460 He knows the past, 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.240 He knows the present, 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.140 He knows the future, 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:53.019 He's never gone for advice to anyone, 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.579 He's never been counseled, 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.019 He's never googled anything, 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.940 To get information, 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.720 He's never made a mistake, 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:02.160 He's put every president in the place, 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.460 And he decides when they come, 00:30:03.540 --> 00:30:04.259 And when they go, 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:06.259 He decides when the stock market rises, 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.279 And when it falls, 00:30:08.540 --> 00:30:10.560 He was here before the oceans, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:12.320 He's going to be here at the end, 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:14.660 He flung galaxies into space, 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:17.480 And he sets the weather on its course, 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:19.800 He stands over history, 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.120 And is the Lord of eternity, 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.980 That's Jesus, 00:30:22.600 --> 00:30:23.220 The lion, 00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:25.600 And you, 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.519 If you're a Christian, 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.900 You're adopted in his family, 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.759 You have unique access to his throne, 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:32.460 You have the ear of the president of the universe, 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:34.220 And he accepts you, 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.019 He forgives you, 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.859 And he loves you, 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.700 And he loves you, 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.900 And he loves you, 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:41.920 And he can put your boss in his job, 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:44.039 And he can fire him at will, 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:46.220 He's his judge and his hope, 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:48.539 He's your friend's greatest need, 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:50.180 He's your family's greatest hope, 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:53.379 He is the one who will come again, 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:55.720 To restore all of creation, 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:57.880 He's the king, 00:30:58.680 --> 00:31:00.559 And he will rule, 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:03.000 And one day every knee will bow to him, 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:04.039 Whether it's Donald Trump, 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.660 Xi Jinping, 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.500 Anybody, 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.720 Everybody, 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:08.740 Will bow the name to King Jesus, 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:11.140 And you and I will reign with him, 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:13.579 That's the lion that we have, 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.839 As our king, 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:17.079 And yet we're so afraid of kittens, 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.860 Do you see the difference it makes, 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:22.420 If you're preaching that to yourself, 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.299 Day by day, 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:27.839 Because what happens is, 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.859 The kittens in our life, 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.480 Of the people, 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.180 Of our boss, 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.839 Of our families, 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.720 Of our fears, 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.359 They just become smaller, 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:35.019 In the sight of when you see, 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:36.079 The bigness of God, 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:39.759 And that means, 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.779 I can be weak, 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.720 I can be ridiculed, 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.200 I can be left out, 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:45.039 But it's okay, 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:47.240 Because we've got Jesus, 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:49.500 And that's enough, 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:54.460 You know, 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:56.839 I know this, 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:59.059 Many of you know this, 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:01.160 But I forget this daily, 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.859 I forget it, 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:04.619 There's this kind of delete button in my head, 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:07.200 Which resets to fear again, 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.839 And we think, 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.059 If I'm too radical, 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.000 With Jesus, 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.059 Maybe I'll lose, 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:13.819 Stuff, 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:17.899 And the secret to our fears, 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.740 The solution is to preach to them, 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:21.500 Is to spend time with Jesus, 00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:23.159 To gain a bigger fear, 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:26.179 Final point that I'm going to make, 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.079 Which is, 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:30.019 A community of prayer, 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.019 You see, 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.799 We've seen, 00:32:31.899 --> 00:32:32.819 There will be opposition, 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:34.099 When you preach the gospel, 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:36.039 There will be both people attracted, 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:37.399 And people who are opposed, 00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:38.919 We will see that we'll be tempted, 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:40.259 To dumb down the gospel, 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.720 We'll see that actually, 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:43.379 The thing which will help us, 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.480 To not do that, 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:46.099 Is when we have a greater fear, 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:46.900 Of King Jesus, 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.140 And we spend time with him, 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.400 We're preaching the word to him, 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:49.960 And finally, 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:51.359 A community of prayer, 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:53.359 Do you notice what Peter and John, 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.500 Do straight after this? 00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:57.180 It's not like they're like, 00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:57.779 Woohoo, 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.099 We kick their butts, 00:32:59.579 --> 00:32:59.799 You know, 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.920 They're not doing that, 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.400 Okay, 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:03.059 Because they're threatened, 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.619 And the threats are real, 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.299 Threats are real, 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:08.440 I think they're actually quite scared, 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.859 They feel a little scared afterwards, 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.240 You know, 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:12.460 It's okay to feel afraid, 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.099 You know that? 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.359 It's okay to feel afraid, 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.859 God sometimes doesn't override, 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.559 Your feelings, 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:20.259 Because their lives are on the line, 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:21.379 But not that, 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.200 They're not relying, 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.379 On their own strength, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:23.920 To be bold, 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.900 Look at verse 23, 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.900 When they were released, 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.779 They went to their friends, 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:29.019 And reported what the chief priests, 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:30.119 And the elders had said to them, 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:31.619 And when they had heard it, 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.559 They lifted their voices, 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.420 Together to God, 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:33.839 And said, 00:33:34.099 --> 00:33:35.039 Sovereign Lord, 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.039 Who made the heaven, 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.779 And the earth, 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.500 And the sea, 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.720 And everything in them, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:41.420 You see what they did, 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.240 When they were released, 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:43.299 They went to their friends, 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.319 What do we do, 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:46.720 They go straight back, 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.299 To their friends, 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:48.720 Which is their church community, 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.579 And it's here, 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.600 That they know they belong, 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:53.819 You see when you're struggling, 00:33:54.219 --> 00:33:55.139 When you're intimidated, 00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:56.279 When you're fearful, 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.259 When you're stressed, 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.099 Where do you go, 00:33:59.059 --> 00:33:59.839 Do you withdraw, 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:02.599 Do you kind of just go into running round, 00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.959 And round the thoughts in your mind, 00:34:04.699 --> 00:34:05.519 Lick your wounds, 00:34:05.959 --> 00:34:06.919 Or do you run, 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.799 To your community, 00:34:09.239 --> 00:34:10.779 You see one of the functions, 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.519 Of community group, 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.440 Is where you can be real, 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.719 About your fears, 00:34:13.839 --> 00:34:14.779 And intimidations, 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:16.679 And the things which make you struggle, 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.819 To walk with Christ, 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:19.460 But you're brought into the light, 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.400 And then together, 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.019 You pray together, 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:24.079 And you speak God's word together, 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.740 And you encourage each other, 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.960 With a bigger fear, 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.240 And perspective of God, 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:33.780 Last thing I want to share, 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:36.720 Just look at the prayer, 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.159 That these guys pray, 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:41.079 Because you know, 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.920 There's different kinds of prayer, 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.000 There's a kind of help, 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.760 Kind of prayer, 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:45.039 And then there's a kind of regular, 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.720 Kind of prayer, 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:48.740 When you do kind of regular, 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.340 Kind of prayer, 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.420 Do you notice what, 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.340 How you pray? 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:54.139 It's really interesting, 00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:56.300 How often we're just really so focused, 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.420 We're so quick to mention, 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.240 All of our needs, 00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:58.720 Right? 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.420 Do you do that? 00:34:59.500 --> 00:34:59.619 You know, 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:01.360 Bottom half of the Lord's prayer, 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.000 Give us our day, 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.599 Our daily bread, 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.820 We do it something like this, 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.420 We do, 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:04.900 God, 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.340 Thank you, 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.639 That you're good, 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:08.579 I've got to say thank you, 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.780 Because that's kind of part of the deal, 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.639 And then we go, 00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:13.639 Okay, 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:15.059 Thank you for my friends, 00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:16.920 Thank you for my pet dog, 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.639 Now God, 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.559 Here's what I really wanted to ask you about, 00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.900 I really need this job promotion, 00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:22.259 My kids are really sick, 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.739 I really like that boy over there, 00:35:24.759 --> 00:35:25.980 And I'd like him to like me, 00:35:26.319 --> 00:35:26.619 You know, 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:28.879 Thank you again, 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.779 Because my mom told me, 00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:31.700 I should always say thank you, 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.580 In Jesus' name, 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:33.260 Amen, 00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:34.960 Okay? 00:35:35.540 --> 00:35:37.320 Now that's not necessarily a bad prayer, 00:35:37.540 --> 00:35:40.480 God graciously answers those kind of prayers, 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:42.280 He loves us to run to him, 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.500 With anything, 00:35:44.680 --> 00:35:45.220 And everything, 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:47.340 But the problem with that kind of prayer, 00:35:47.640 --> 00:35:49.100 Is you'll never get a bigger vision, 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:50.660 Of God, 00:35:50.740 --> 00:35:51.720 You'll never get a bigger vision, 00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:52.480 Than your fears, 00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:54.219 Opa, 00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:54.980 From your palms, 00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:11.539 To none of the dreams, 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:11.780 It's hot, 00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:13.139 In your place, 00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:13.880 Because if your friends, 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:15.119 And my dad might have a big communication, 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.119 But you're never to learn yet, 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:16.940 Though it's no shame, 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.780 It's in your amiga in my mouth, 00:36:17.780 --> 00:36:18.480 I work too, 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.579 And then I will never get one side of him,