WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.199
 There's a true story of a small village in India.

00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:29.019
 And in this village, there was this family that came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, a Savior and Lord.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.159
 This agitated the village so much and everybody became so upset that an angry mob gathered and shoved them into the public square.

00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:44.399
 The village chief confronted them and he said to the man,

00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:51.159
 If you and your family will not recant your faith, you all will surely die.

00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:55.280
 The man didn't know what to say or what to do.

00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:04.260
 And so the only thing that came to mind for him were the words of a song that he himself had composed when he had first surrendered his life to God.

00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:06.879
 And so he began to sing,

00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:09.900
 I have decided to follow Jesus.

00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:12.020
 No turning back.

00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:14.079
 No turning back.

00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:15.079
 No turning back.

00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:16.079
 No turning back.

00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:20.500
 And with that, horrifically, his children were killed.

00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:28.439
 I have decided to follow Jesus.

00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:35.719
 I have decided to follow Jesus.

00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:46.719
 No turning back.

00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:50.719
 No turning back.

00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:02.980
 He was given another chance, this time with his wife's life on the line.

00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:05.359
 And yet he continued to sing,

00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:09.000
 Though none go with me, still I will follow.

00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:10.819
 No turning back.

00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:12.700
 No turning back.

00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:42.679
 No turning back.

00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:52.339
 After her tragic death, he was given one final opportunity, this time to save himself.

00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:55.859
 And yet he continued to sing.

00:02:55.860 --> 00:03:07.400
 The cross before me, the world behind me.

00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:09.400
 The cross before me.

00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:10.700
 The world behind me.

00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:14.160
 The cross before me.

00:03:14.160 --> 00:03:18.680
 The world behind me.

00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:21.240
 No turning back.

00:03:21.940 --> 00:03:24.160
 No turning back.

00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:38.620
 Even though that man and his family died on that day, something remarkable happened.

00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:42.800
 a seed was planted in the heart of that village chief,

00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:45.520
 a seed that began to grow over time,

00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:48.039
 and eventually he called the community together

00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:51.180
 in that very same neighborhood, in that very same square,

00:03:51.920 --> 00:03:53.980
 and he renounced his former faith

00:03:53.980 --> 00:03:57.340
 and declared his allegiance to Jesus Christ.

00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:03.120
 And a celebration broke out in that moment,

00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:06.780
 and the gospel began to flourish and to grow in that community,

00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:10.000
 not just in that village, but across the whole region,

00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:13.340
 because they had seen real faith,

00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:17.040
 and they knew the true character of God

00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:21.339
 because of a family that believed and sacrificed,

00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:24.500
 even under the penalty of death.

00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:30.420
 No turning back

00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:37.560
 No turning back

00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:45.780
 We've been working through for a few weeks now

00:04:45.780 --> 00:04:51.500
 the chapters in John's gospel that we know of as the Farewell Discourse.

00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:55.960
 It's often seen as Jesus' goodbye to his disciples,

00:04:55.959 --> 00:04:59.039
 but there's more going on here than just goodbye.

00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:01.819
 This is more than just,

00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:02.779
 I'm leaving.

00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:04.739
 This is carry on,

00:05:04.859 --> 00:05:06.039
 these are marching orders,

00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:10.680
 and the focus till this point has been so positive.

00:05:11.659 --> 00:05:12.899
 It's been so encouraging.

00:05:13.659 --> 00:05:15.759
 It's been all about comforting the disciples.

00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:18.379
 If you remember back in chapter 14,

00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.579
 Jesus began to tell his disciples

00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:22.359
 that he is leaving for the purpose

00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:24.240
 of preparing a room for them,

00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:26.180
 that the reason he is going

00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:27.439
 is because there was more,

00:05:27.580 --> 00:05:29.759
 and he is going ahead of them in preparation.

00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:32.060
 He told them about another counselor

00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:33.000
 that he would give to them,

00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:33.680
 another helper,

00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:35.500
 who was going to be just like Jesus.

00:05:36.280 --> 00:05:37.560
 They would not be left alone.

00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:39.379
 There was another one coming from the Father.

00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:40.740
 Even in chapter 15,

00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:41.800
 the command to love,

00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:43.360
 the command to bear fruit,

00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:45.259
 it all comes in the context

00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:46.100
 of being reminded

00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:47.879
 that it's Jesus who is divine,

00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:50.280
 that it's him who will empower them

00:05:50.280 --> 00:05:51.080
 to love one another,

00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:52.939
 that it's him who will enable them

00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:53.759
 to bear fruit,

00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:55.560
 that it's his Holy Spirit

00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:56.539
 who will be with them,

00:05:56.599 --> 00:05:57.959
 and the incredible promise

00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:00.240
 in the back half of chapter 14

00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:01.819
 that the Father and the Son

00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:03.339
 will make their home

00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:05.039
 with these disciples even now,

00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:06.819
 that they will come

00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:08.299
 and that they will dwell with them

00:06:08.299 --> 00:06:10.740
 in the person of the Holy Spirit.

00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:13.060
 But suddenly,

00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:14.479
 when we get to this second half

00:06:14.479 --> 00:06:15.379
 of chapter 15,

00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:16.379
 everything shifts.

00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.259
 There's this drastic change

00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:21.839
 in the tone of what Jesus has to say

00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:23.599
 because he knows

00:06:23.599 --> 00:06:24.599
 that there is a reality

00:06:24.599 --> 00:06:25.959
 that the disciples will face

00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:27.519
 that is far from comforting,

00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:30.159
 that is far from easy.

00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:33.800
 And he begins in verse 18.

00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.759
 If the world hates you,

00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:39.219
 keep in mind that it hated me first.

00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.159
 If you belong to the world,

00:06:41.219 --> 00:06:42.620
 it would love you as its own.

00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:43.319
 As it is,

00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:44.839
 you do not belong to the world,

00:06:45.039 --> 00:06:46.980
 but I have chosen you out of the world.

00:06:46.980 --> 00:06:48.660
 That is why the world hates you.

00:06:49.340 --> 00:06:50.980
 Remember the words I spoke to you.

00:06:51.020 --> 00:06:52.980
 No servant is greater than his master.

00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:54.879
 If they persecuted me,

00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:56.480
 they will persecute you also.

00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:58.280
 If they obeyed my teaching,

00:06:58.400 --> 00:06:59.660
 they will obey yours also.

00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:01.400
 They will treat you this way

00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:02.460
 because of my name,

00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:03.860
 for they do not know

00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:05.319
 the one who sent me.

00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:08.960
 The message Jesus has for his disciples

00:07:08.960 --> 00:07:11.259
 is the world will hate you.

00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:13.280
 I will be with you.

00:07:13.640 --> 00:07:15.140
 I'm preparing a place for you.

00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:16.419
 I will make my home with you,

00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:18.539
 but the world that you live in

00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:19.539
 will hate you.

00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:23.139
 For all the good that you try and do,

00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.339
 for all the love that you show

00:07:25.339 --> 00:07:26.560
 to your brothers and sisters,

00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:29.439
 and especially for the message

00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:30.180
 that you bring,

00:07:30.979 --> 00:07:33.319
 that Jesus is the only hope for salvation.

00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:36.079
 Because of all that,

00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:38.300
 the world will hate you.

00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:42.060
 The disciples need to realize

00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:43.800
 that they have chosen to follow

00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:45.960
 a suffering saviour.

00:07:47.340 --> 00:07:49.439
 That the one who they are here with,

00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:51.340
 the one who they are giving their lives to,

00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:54.100
 has been rejected his whole life.

00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:56.600
 Very soon he will be killed,

00:07:57.280 --> 00:07:57.720
 crucified,

00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:01.080
 and they've got to understand

00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:02.760
 that's the one they're following.

00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:06.180
 Following Jesus means following Jesus.

00:08:07.700 --> 00:08:09.120
 And the footsteps he took

00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.120
 led him to the cross,

00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.380
 led him to suffering and rejection

00:08:13.380 --> 00:08:15.440
 and ultimately death.

00:08:16.260 --> 00:08:18.400
 It shouldn't be a surprise for the disciples,

00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:20.060
 but this one last time,

00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:20.920
 before he leaves,

00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:23.200
 Jesus wants them to hear it from his mouth.

00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:25.379
 The path of a Christian

00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:27.879
 is one of suffering and rejection.

00:08:29.099 --> 00:08:32.519
 Following Jesus means following Jesus.

00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:34.439
 Look at verse 22.

00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:34.899
 It says,

00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.179
 If I had not come and spoken to them,

00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.960
 they would not be guilty of sin.

00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:40.080
 Now, however,

00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:41.879
 they have no excuse for their sin.

00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:44.240
 If I had not done among them

00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.240
 what no one else did,

00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:46.600
 they would not be guilty of sin.

00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:48.679
 But now they have seen these miracles,

00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:50.639
 and yet they have hated

00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:52.899
 both me and my Father.

00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:56.200
 Jesus arrives and begins to preach

00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:58.400
 that the kingdom of God is near,

00:08:58.520 --> 00:09:00.360
 begins to preach that salvation

00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:01.940
 and forgiveness is in him,

00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:04.960
 begins to prove that he is the Son of God

00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:06.040
 who can bring forgiveness

00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:08.379
 by the power of his miracles,

00:09:09.020 --> 00:09:10.980
 by the authority of his teaching,

00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:13.540
 and yet they reject him.

00:09:14.660 --> 00:09:17.820
 He comes offering forgiveness and hope,

00:09:18.280 --> 00:09:20.400
 but the kingdom he preached

00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:22.939
 was not necessarily the kingdom

00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:24.179
 that they wanted to hear about.

00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:26.439
 The kingdom that Jesus preached

00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:28.139
 was a kingdom of righteousness,

00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:30.220
 a kingdom of holiness.

00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.100
 And so what it did was hold a mirror up

00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.759
 to just how unworthy the world was.

00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:41.039
 Jesus' life and his miracles

00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:42.559
 and his perfect example

00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:43.579
 and his message

00:09:43.579 --> 00:09:45.500
 that he alone is the way,

00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:46.759
 the truth and the life,

00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:49.240
 took away the opportunity

00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.179
 that the world had

00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:51.139
 to deceive itself

00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:52.379
 into thinking it was okay.

00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:55.039
 His arrival meant

00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:56.080
 that you chose him

00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:57.080
 and chose life

00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:59.779
 or you rejected him

00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:02.179
 and chose death.

00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:05.579
 It's not a surprise

00:10:05.579 --> 00:10:06.939
 that the world hates Jesus.

00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.059
 Nobody wants to be told

00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:10.059
 that they're not good enough.

00:10:10.859 --> 00:10:11.919
 Nobody wants to be told

00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.059
 that they don't measure up.

00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.039
 And Jesus' life,

00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:17.799
 in its perfect holiness

00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:18.839
 and obedience,

00:10:19.739 --> 00:10:21.039
 made obvious the sins

00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:22.199
 of the world he went to,

00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.159
 made obvious the sins

00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:24.919
 of his people,

00:10:25.859 --> 00:10:28.799
 and the lives of the disciples

00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.179
 will continue to offend.

00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:32.719
 They will continue to show people

00:10:32.719 --> 00:10:33.799
 that they're not measuring up,

00:10:33.859 --> 00:10:35.199
 that the standard is not okay

00:10:35.199 --> 00:10:37.879
 and people will hate them for it.

00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:39.699
 We shouldn't be surprised

00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:40.379
 as Christians

00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.339
 when the world hates us.

00:10:43.359 --> 00:10:44.799
 It angers people to think

00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.019
 that we as Christians

00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:47.559
 can have contentment

00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:48.699
 and hope and joy

00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:49.399
 and forgiveness

00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:51.120
 even when we stuff up

00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:51.939
 just like they do.

00:10:52.859 --> 00:10:54.099
 It angers the world

00:10:54.099 --> 00:10:55.939
 to think that we can be content

00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:56.699
 without the things

00:10:56.699 --> 00:10:58.359
 that they need to be content with.

00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:00.720
 It angers the world

00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.659
 that we can have joy

00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.419
 and satisfaction

00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:03.480
 even if we don't have

00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.220
 the dream job

00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:05.560
 or the dream house

00:11:05.560 --> 00:11:06.899
 or the 2.3 kids.

00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.060
 It angers them

00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:10.820
 that Christians

00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.180
 could trust Jesus

00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:13.259
 to judge

00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:17.620
 rather than taking revenge

00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.300
 for themselves.

00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:20.560
 It's no surprise

00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.740
 that the world hates Jesus

00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.480
 and it's no surprise

00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.680
 that it hated the disciples

00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:26.659
 and it shouldn't be a surprise

00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:29.100
 if it hates us as well.

00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:31.620
 I want you to grasp

00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.159
 the weight

00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.159
 of what Jesus says

00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:34.500
 in this couple of verses here.

00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.600
 We've got the luxury.

00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.440
 We can look back

00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:37.340
 at these words

00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.159
 thousands of years

00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:38.820
 into the future.

00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.060
 Think about what happened

00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:41.940
 just after Jesus

00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:42.879
 uttered these words.

00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.879
 within a few hours

00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.159
 of reminding the disciples

00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:48.299
 that the world hated him

00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:51.080
 Jesus was arrested

00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:52.600
 tortured

00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:53.899
 beaten

00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.919
 and brutally murdered.

00:11:58.740 --> 00:11:59.799
 For all

00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.439
 but one

00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:01.820
 of these 11 disciples

00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:05.919
 brutal death

00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.639
 awaited them.

00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:09.799
 they would follow Jesus

00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:10.399
 to the point

00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:11.139
 of being killed

00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:12.120
 for being a Christian.

00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.860
 Some would be crucified

00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.939
 some would be beheaded

00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:15.879
 some would be drawn

00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.620
 and courted.

00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:20.399
 It's not too strong

00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:20.960
 to say

00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.840
 that the world

00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.960
 hated the disciples.

00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:25.039
 It's not too strong

00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:25.439
 to say

00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:25.980
 that the world

00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.799
 hated Jesus.

00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.939
 But the crazy thing is

00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:31.059
 as we read through that

00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:32.500
 and we think about

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.159
 what happened

00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:34.080
 after Jesus spoke

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:34.740
 these words

00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.539
 listen to verse 25

00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:38.399
 this

00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:39.860
 this hatred

00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:40.620
 this suffering

00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.500
 this persecution

00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.299
 this death

00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.459
 this

00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:44.759
 is to fulfill

00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:45.399
 what was written

00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:46.059
 in their law

00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:47.259
 they hated me

00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:47.959
 without reason.

00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.399
 This law

00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.779
 is the Psalms

00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:53.079
 it's God's word

00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:53.939
 it's the scriptures.

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.759
 Jesus on the cross

00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.620
 was God's plan

00:12:58.620 --> 00:13:02.319
 and the disciples

00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:04.779
 and all the suffering

00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:05.339
 and opposition

00:13:05.339 --> 00:13:06.179
 that they faced

00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.000
 was also part

00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.919
 of God's plan.

00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.339
 It's kind of easy

00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:13.079
 for us now

00:13:13.079 --> 00:13:14.419
 to think of the cross

00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:15.139
 as being a time

00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.059
 when God is incredibly

00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:16.759
 in control

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.359
 because we know

00:13:17.359 --> 00:13:18.019
 how it ends.

00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:19.719
 But can you imagine

00:13:19.719 --> 00:13:20.479
 what it would have been like

00:13:20.479 --> 00:13:21.319
 to stand there

00:13:21.319 --> 00:13:22.339
 on that first Easter

00:13:22.339 --> 00:13:23.620
 staring at your

00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.259
 Saviour

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.199
 suffering

00:13:25.199 --> 00:13:26.620
 straining for his

00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.219
 last breath

00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:27.979
 about to die

00:13:27.979 --> 00:13:30.459
 and trying to be confident

00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:31.539
 that God was in control.

00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:35.819
 each one of these disciples

00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.379
 would face

00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:37.199
 their own death

00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:39.199
 and Jesus needs them

00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:39.980
 to understand

00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.579
 it's part of the plan.

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.919
 No matter how hard

00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.339
 it gets

00:13:44.339 --> 00:13:45.139
 no matter how tough

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.539
 it is

00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.439
 it's part

00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:47.699
 of the plan.

00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:48.599
 God is still

00:13:48.599 --> 00:13:49.819
 in control.

00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:53.279
 Jesus is warning them

00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:53.819
 not so that they

00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.459
 can avoid it

00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:55.019
 not so they can

00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.120
 find a way around it

00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.659
 but so they can

00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.360
 endure it.

00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:00.220
 If you turn to

00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:00.899
 chapter 17

00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.639
 where Jesus is

00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.320
 praying for his

00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.800
 disciples

00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:03.800
 in verse 15

00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:04.600
 his prayer says

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.700
 my prayer is not

00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.399
 that you take them

00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.340
 out of the world

00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.519
 but that you protect

00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.620
 them from the evil one.

00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.440
 Jesus doesn't want

00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.039
 his disciples

00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.759
 to miss out

00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.460
 on this suffering

00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.060
 and persecution

00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:14.860
 that's coming

00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:16.399
 he just wants them

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.220
 to be able to

00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.100
 last the distance

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.600
 he wants them

00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.220
 to endure

00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.360
 he wants them

00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.120
 to get to the other

00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.200
 side and still

00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:25.180
 be following Jesus

00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:26.360
 still be going

00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:26.879
 strong

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.720
 the suffering

00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.360
 is part of the

00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:29.620
 journey

00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.179
 and it's part

00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:30.659
 of the plan

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.460
 and his prayer

00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.539
 is that the devil

00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.360
 doesn't use the

00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.200
 suffering to drag

00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:34.700
 them away

00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.259
 ultimately

00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.259
 but not that the

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.120
 suffering disappears

00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:38.620
 altogether

00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:40.620
 that is part of

00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.019
 the plan

00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:43.039
 and what does

00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.860
 Jesus call his

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:44.759
 disciples to do

00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.519
 when the suffering

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.340
 and the persecution

00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.120
 comes

00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.740
 verse 26

00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.299
 when the counsellor

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.820
 comes who I will

00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.419
 send to you

00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:53.059
 from the father

00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.100
 the spirit of truth

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.980
 who goes out

00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:55.679
 from the father

00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.819
 he will testify

00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:57.459
 about me

00:14:57.459 --> 00:14:58.639
 and you also

00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:00.139
 must testify

00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:01.459
 for you have been

00:15:01.459 --> 00:15:02.419
 with me from the

00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:02.759
 beginning

00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:05.039
 the thing that is

00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.659
 making them

00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.259
 persecuted

00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.139
 is the message

00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.639
 that they are

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.239
 bringing about

00:15:08.239 --> 00:15:08.620
 Jesus

00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:10.539
 it is the testimony

00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.679
 that Jesus alone

00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.419
 can save

00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.579
 it is the testimony

00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.379
 that you are not

00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:14.839
 good enough

00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:15.500
 without Jesus

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.459
 it is the testimony

00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:17.379
 that you need

00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.439
 his help

00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:19.339
 to be a Christian

00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:21.159
 it is the thing

00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:21.839
 that moves people

00:15:21.839 --> 00:15:22.639
 to call Christians

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.079
 arrogant and exclusive

00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.620
 it is a message

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.120
 that says

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.000
 there is one way

00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.800
 not any way

00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.280
 that is well

00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:30.940
 intentioned

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.820
 there is one way

00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.620
 to our heavenly

00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.040
 father

00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:33.680
 and that is

00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.360
 through the son

00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:34.900
 and Jesus

00:15:34.900 --> 00:15:36.480
 sends his spirit

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.600
 after he leaves

00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.700
 so that it might

00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.580
 dwell in us

00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.860
 and might remind us

00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.840
 of the one way

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.259
 to heaven

00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.379
 might remind us

00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:43.940
 of the work

00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:44.480
 that Jesus

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.240
 has accomplished

00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.320
 in forgiving us

00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:47.259
 and cleansing us

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.180
 and making us

00:15:48.180 --> 00:15:48.780
 acceptable

00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:50.100
 but more than that

00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:51.200
 it will empower

00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:51.920
 the disciples

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:53.059
 to testify

00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:53.899
 for themselves

00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:56.059
 to open their mouth

00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:56.759
 and to speak

00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.339
 out loud

00:15:57.339 --> 00:15:59.000
 Jesus chose

00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.719
 these men

00:15:59.719 --> 00:16:00.959
 that they might

00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:01.860
 be witnesses

00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.819
 to his ministry

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.699
 that they might

00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.179
 be there

00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.019
 for the three years

00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.620
 they might hear

00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.219
 the sermons

00:16:06.219 --> 00:16:06.860
 they might see

00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.419
 the miracles

00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.379
 they might see

00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.059
 him on the cross

00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:09.719
 they might see

00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.279
 him alive

00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.259
 they might see

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.939
 him ascend

00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:13.299
 to the throne

00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:13.979
 in heaven

00:16:13.979 --> 00:16:15.860
 they are eyewitnesses

00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.319
 and Jesus

00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.079
 has chosen

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.039
 these eleven men

00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.899
 and their testimony

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.600
 to be the foundation

00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.500
 for the church

00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:25.919
 in the creed

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.899
 we said just before

00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:28.240
 we said that we are

00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.840
 an apostolic church

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:31.519
 what we mean

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.240
 when we say that

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.120
 is we are a church

00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.360
 that is based on

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.579
 the eyewitness testimony

00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:37.939
 of the apostles

00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:40.340
 so it matters

00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:42.199
 that these guys

00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:43.000
 come through

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.460
 it matters

00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.319
 that persecution

00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.039
 isn't enough

00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:47.059
 to make them quiet

00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:48.079
 it matters

00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.860
 that persecution

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.519
 isn't enough

00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.179
 to stop them

00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.100
 speaking of Jesus

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.159
 and so Jesus

00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.679
 promises

00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.340
 I will give you

00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.159
 a counsellor

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.199
 I will give you

00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:55.699
 a helper

00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.879
 to strengthen you

00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.539
 to remind you

00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.019
 of what I have

00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.720
 already done

00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:00.199
 and to empower you

00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.120
 to speak boldly

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.799
 no matter what

00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:02.559
 opposition

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.919
 you might face

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:06.220
 in verse 1

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.019
 Jesus explains

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.160
 all this I have

00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.660
 told you

00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.279
 so that you

00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.819
 will not go

00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.259
 astray

00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:12.259
 these guys

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:12.980
 must last

00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.680
 the distance

00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.000
 they will put you

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.660
 out of the synagogue

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.259
 in fact

00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.240
 a time is coming

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.059
 when anyone

00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.839
 who kills you

00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.359
 will think

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.079
 he is offering

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.659
 a service

00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.299
 to God

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.720
 we are reminded

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.379
 of Paul

00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.459
 who in Acts

00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:25.779
 is standing there

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.339
 approving

00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.139
 as Stephen

00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.759
 is stoned

00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.339
 to death

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:31.399
 Paul is killing

00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:31.919
 Christians

00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.899
 because he believes

00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.379
 he is helping

00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.159
 God to get rid

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:35.399
 of these upstarts

00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.000
 who have come up

00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.720
 with a new way

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:39.420
 but Jesus

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:39.960
 explains

00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.400
 they will do

00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:40.980
 such things

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.460
 because they

00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:41.960
 have not

00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.360
 known the

00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:42.680
 Father

00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.200
 or me

00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.360
 I have told

00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:44.799
 you this

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.140
 so that

00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.860
 when the time

00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.380
 comes

00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:47.339
 you will remember

00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.140
 that I warned

00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.500
 you

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:51.100
 Jesus warns

00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.519
 them so that

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.039
 they know

00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.779
 what is coming

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.259
 so that there is

00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.059
 no surprises

00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.960
 in following him

00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.940
 so they don't

00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.799
 go astray

00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.240
 these 11 guys

00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.440
 need to say

00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.140
 with conviction

00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.299
 I have decided

00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.140
 to follow Jesus

00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.980
 and there is no

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.960
 turning back

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.100
 he wants ringing

00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:05.940
 in their ears

00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.420
 as one of the

00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.019
 last things

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:07.759
 that he says

00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.120
 they hated me

00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:10.420
 they will

00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.400
 hate you

00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:11.940
 as well

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:14.360
 but when they do

00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:16.039
 continue

00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.039
 to testify

00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:20.279
 don't let the fact

00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.000
 that your words

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.559
 have brought

00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.279
 this persecution

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.940
 on you

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.720
 stop you

00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.420
 from speaking

00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.660
 because that is

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.539
 why I have

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.180
 left you here

00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.620
 he chose us

00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.279
 out of the world

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.980
 but he leaves

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.559
 us here

00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:32.319
 because

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.600
 we are to

00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.059
 testify

00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.839
 because we

00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.259
 are to be

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.939
 his witnesses

00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:37.759
 to the ends

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.879
 of the earth

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.899
 and this kind

00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:40.419
 of opposition

00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.079
 isn't limited

00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:41.799
 to this time

00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.359
 in biblical

00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.939
 history

00:18:42.939 --> 00:18:44.379
 the message

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.059
 of the gospel

00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.559
 is still

00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.019
 hated

00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.500
 with fierceness

00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:50.039
 in fact

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.480
 there are some

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.019
 statistics

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.659
 that suggest

00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.079
 that more

00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.939
 people have

00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:53.439
 been killed

00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:53.980
 for following

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.619
 Jesus in the

00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.359
 20th century

00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.019
 than in every

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.059
 century beforehand

00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.779
 combined

00:18:57.779 --> 00:19:00.459
 persecution

00:19:00.459 --> 00:19:01.579
 is not slowing

00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:01.879
 down

00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.639
 and even now

00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.299
 as we meet

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.940
 here in church

00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.259
 together

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.579
 we have

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.159
 brothers and

00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:05.680
 sisters in

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:05.980
 Christ

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.980
 all over the

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.259
 world

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.980
 who are fearing

00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.399
 for their

00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:08.859
 lives

00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:10.139
 simply because

00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:11.220
 they call

00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.579
 Jesus

00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.139
 saviour

00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:14.200
 simply because

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.720
 he is their

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.059
 lord

00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:17.859
 and Jesus

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.519
 message to

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.240
 every one of

00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.419
 them

00:19:19.419 --> 00:19:20.059
 and his

00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.559
 message to

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:20.980
 us

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.740
 is

00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.299
 I warned

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.539
 you

00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:25.139
 this happened

00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:25.639
 to me

00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.740
 this is the

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.419
 path that I

00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:27.839
 trod

00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.259
 and this is

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.740
 the path

00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.139
 that you are

00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.619
 following

00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.259
 don't be

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.099
 surprised by

00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.379
 what is

00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.059
 going on

00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.299
 but stand

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.000
 firm and

00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.519
 testify

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:37.119
 Jesus would

00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:37.679
 say to each

00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:37.959
 and every

00:19:37.959 --> 00:19:38.459
 one of us

00:19:38.459 --> 00:19:38.799
 and every

00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.480
 person who

00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.139
 knows him

00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:40.879
 you have

00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:41.619
 tasted the

00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.299
 goodness and

00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.919
 mercy of

00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:43.299
 God

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.179
 you have

00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:44.559
 tasted

00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.199
 forgiveness

00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:45.659
 you know

00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.079
 hope

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.419
 you know

00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:47.059
 salvation

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.500
 and I have

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.139
 given you my

00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:50.859
 holy spirit

00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.419
 so that you

00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:51.899
 can stand

00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:52.419
 firm and

00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:52.839
 testify

00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:54.659
 that is the

00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.379
 purpose that I

00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:55.740
 give it

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.740
 don't underestimate

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.759
 the significance

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.759
 of the testimony

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.640
 of a persecuted

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.140
 Christian

00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.240
 it's not a

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.099
 coincidence that

00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.799
 the church has

00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.539
 grown by the

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.019
 blood of the

00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.900
 martyrs

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.680
 after Stephen

00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.259
 died in

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.599
 Acts

00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.539
 the church

00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.579
 exploded with

00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.039
 growth

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:13.579
 because a

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.180
 persecuted

00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:14.799
 Christian

00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.720
 speaks a

00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.319
 language that

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.779
 can't be

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.220
 denied

00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:20.920
 that man in

00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.380
 the video

00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.740
 spoke a

00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.259
 language that

00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:23.880
 couldn't be

00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.500
 ignored by

00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.120
 his chief

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.979
 as he stood

00:20:26.979 --> 00:20:27.399
 there and

00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:27.859
 watched his

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.859
 children die

00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.579
 and continued

00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.479
 to sing of

00:20:31.479 --> 00:20:32.179
 his love for

00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:33.399
 Jesus and

00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:34.039
 his commitment

00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.500
 to his

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.839
 Lord that

00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.359
 chief saw

00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.359
 something that

00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:38.719
 he didn't

00:20:38.719 --> 00:20:41.179
 know as he

00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:41.619
 watched his

00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.459
 wife die and

00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:42.819
 this man

00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.719
 continued to

00:20:43.719 --> 00:20:44.299
 sing of his

00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.500
 commitment to

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.759
 Jesus a

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.319
 seed was

00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.979
 planted in

00:20:48.979 --> 00:20:49.579
 that chief

00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:51.259
 because this

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.839
 man knew

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.219
 something

00:20:52.219 --> 00:20:54.279
 incredible he

00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:54.739
 knew some

00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.299
 truth that

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.819
 this chief

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.220
 could not

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.440
 even

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.059
 comprehend

00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.079
 that he

00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.640
 could stand

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.019
 there and

00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.359
 say I

00:20:59.359 --> 00:20:59.880
 love my

00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.259
 kids and

00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.640
 they matter

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.599
 to me so

00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.120
 much but

00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.799
 Jesus is

00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:04.339
 better I

00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.700
 love my

00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.220
 wife and

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.599
 she matters

00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.200
 to me so

00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.920
 much but

00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.680
 Jesus is

00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.819
 better I

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.200
 love my

00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.740
 life but

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.759
 Jesus is

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:15.160
 better better

00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:15.960
 than safety

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.859
 better than

00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.740
 family better

00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.660
 than job better

00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.559
 than popularity

00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:23.039
 glory for

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.059
 many Christians

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:26.339
 following

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.720
 Jesus means

00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.359
 saying that

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:28.899
 it is better

00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.339
 to know

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:29.919
 Jesus as

00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:30.399
 Lord and

00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:30.859
 be dead

00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:32.480
 than to

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.039
 reject him

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.319
 and be

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:35.399
 alive that

00:21:35.399 --> 00:21:35.700
 is a

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.940
 testimony that

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.759
 can't be

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.879
 disputed

00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:41.700
 Jesus never

00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.519
 promises that

00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.059
 his followers

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.480
 will have an

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.899
 easy life it

00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.339
 doesn't come

00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.019
 anywhere in the

00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.279
 Bible but

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.900
 he calls the

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.680
 disciples and

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.379
 he calls us

00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:50.079
 as his followers

00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.400
 now to

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.339
 testify about

00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:52.980
 him that's why

00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.779
 he gives us the

00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.460
 spirit who

00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.819
 testifies and

00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.379
 he sends us

00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:56.740
 out in the

00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.379
 power of that

00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:57.960
 spirit to

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.480
 preach the

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.480
 message of a

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.319
 risen Savior who

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.319
 is the only way

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.299
 to the Father

00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.819
 but he does

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.740
 say he does

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.819
 warn us if

00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.420
 you do it

00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:08.000
 you'll be

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.980
 persecuted if

00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.519
 you do what

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.119
 I'm asking you

00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.279
 to do if you

00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.099
 follow the path

00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.619
 that I'm setting

00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.220
 out in front of

00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.019
 you the world

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.000
 will be

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.480
 hate you

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.859
 that is how

00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.400
 it works

00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.140
 but what does

00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:19.700
 that mean for

00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.400
 us here in

00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:20.700
 Sydney

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:23.859
 as you watch

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.480
 that video

00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.759
 as you hear

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.740
 other stories

00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.039
 of people

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.779
 suffering all

00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.299
 over the world

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.619
 for their

00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.039
 faith

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:32.859
 it's hard to

00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.819
 really understand

00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.619
 we have no

00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.299
 idea what it

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.759
 would be like

00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.279
 to have a gun

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.980
 to our face

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.480
 we have no

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.000
 idea what it

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.359
 would be like

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.019
 to be threatened

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.660
 with our own

00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.460
 lives just for

00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.380
 following Jesus

00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:46.820
 so what

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.980
 does this

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.500
 mean for

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.020
 us

00:22:49.020 --> 00:22:50.980
 should we

00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.760
 be praying

00:22:51.760 --> 00:22:52.180
 for more

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.740
 persecution

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.960
 should we

00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.460
 be asking

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.000
 God to

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.700
 send more

00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.140
 gunmen

00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.580
 just so that

00:22:57.580 --> 00:22:57.860
 we can

00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.600
 testify that

00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:58.860
 way

00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:01.760
 no that

00:23:01.760 --> 00:23:01.980
 would be

00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.380
 stupid

00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:05.320
 it's not

00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:06.080
 smart to

00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.520
 pray that

00:23:06.520 --> 00:23:06.880
 somebody

00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.980
 threatens my

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.720
 wife's life

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.220
 just so that

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.640
 I can talk

00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.280
 about Jesus

00:23:10.280 --> 00:23:12.860
 but at

00:23:12.860 --> 00:23:13.540
 very least

00:23:13.540 --> 00:23:14.100
 on some

00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:15.180
 level we

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.520
 have to

00:23:15.520 --> 00:23:15.900
 ask the

00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.380
 question

00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:18.100
 why is

00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:18.480
 the world

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.040
 so comfortable

00:23:19.040 --> 00:23:19.660
 with us

00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:21.920
 why don't

00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.520
 we face

00:23:22.520 --> 00:23:23.560
 more opposition

00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:25.860
 why don't

00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:26.620
 we have

00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.240
 people hate

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.759
 us

00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:29.680
 Chris was

00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.220
 reflecting

00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.960
 we were

00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.500
 chatting earlier

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:31.960
 in the week

00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.600
 that he

00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.040
 worked through

00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.700
 this passage

00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.560
 with his

00:23:34.560 --> 00:23:35.160
 small group

00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.060
 and that

00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.440
 trying to

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:36.880
 wrestle with

00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.220
 that word

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.740
 hate was

00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.500
 really difficult

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.359
 trying to

00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.759
 think of a

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.279
 time where

00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.599
 we've been

00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.279
 hated for

00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.759
 our faith

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.460
 is difficult

00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:44.799
 because the

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.440
 reality is

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:45.680
 I don't

00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.019
 think many

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.279
 of us

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.640
 have

00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:50.119
 and we

00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.460
 have to

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.819
 ask the

00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.359
 question on

00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.160
 some level

00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.180
 why is

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.519
 that

00:23:53.519 --> 00:24:00.000
 maybe for

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.279
 us

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.759
 persecution

00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.259
 looks

00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.680
 different

00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:03.799
 it isn't

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.500
 guns for

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.900
 us

00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.640
 it isn't

00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.019
 the threat

00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.440
 of losing

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.920
 our very

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.480
 lives

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.759
 but it's

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.319
 still there

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:12.259
 it's still

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.620
 there in

00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.220
 the pressure

00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.079
 from the

00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.680
 culture that

00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.039
 we live

00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.259
 in

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.720
 it's not

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.279
 a moment

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.660
 where you

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.120
 obviously

00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.759
 choose I'm

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:18.980
 going to

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.500
 stand up

00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.039
 and proclaim

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.460
 Jesus

00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.640
 or I'm

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:21.819
 going to

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.360
 shrink back

00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:22.720
 and be

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.360
 quiet and

00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:23.799
 protect

00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.279
 myself

00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.599
 but maybe

00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.099
 it's those

00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.660
 opportunities

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.019
 in your

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.380
 life that

00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.640
 are a bit

00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.160
 more subtle

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:31.160
 the times

00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.480
 where you

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.180
 can choose

00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:32.940
 to stand

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.279
 up and

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.900
 testify to

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.180
 Jesus

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.519
 with the

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:34.839
 way you

00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.180
 live

00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.059
 or you

00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.559
 can choose

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.220
 to compromise

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.779
 with the

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.099
 way you

00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.399
 live

00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:40.379
 the

00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:40.899
 opportunities

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.339
 you have

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.679
 as you're

00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:42.139
 driving

00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:43.059
 to just

00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.859
 compromise

00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.259
 a little

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.559
 bit and

00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.859
 just go

00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.220
 with everyone

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.960
 else 10k's

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.259
 over the

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.720
 speed limit

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:48.200
 or to

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.960
 testify that

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.619
 Jesus is

00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.059
 Lord by

00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.740
 obeying the

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.139
 law that

00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:52.539
 is set

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:52.859
 there

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:55.379
 the

00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:55.879
 opportunity

00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.539
 you have

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:58.019
 to stand

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.399
 up and

00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:59.059
 speak about

00:24:59.059 --> 00:24:59.379
 what you

00:24:59.379 --> 00:24:59.759
 did on

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.059
 Sunday

00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.399
 night

00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:03.099
 or instead

00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.579
 maybe you

00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.200
 just compromise

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.279
 and don't

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.700
 really talk

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.340
 about it

00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.620
 in case

00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.100
 someone might

00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:08.519
 get angry

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.220
 or offended

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:12.940
 I sometimes

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.519
 wonder if we

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.779
 would go

00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.600
 better if

00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:14.840
 we had

00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:15.319
 guns to

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.779
 our heads

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:17.600
 if the

00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.000
 choice was

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.720
 more obvious

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.700
 about standing

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.000
 up for

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.519
 Jesus and

00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.120
 denying him

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.440
 I wondered

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:21.700
 if we

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:21.960
 would do

00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.279
 better

00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:25.740
 but we

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.140
 don't have

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.500
 a gun to

00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:26.840
 our head

00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:28.120
 we have

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.559
 what God

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:28.980
 has given

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.400
 us

00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.660
 we have

00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.220
 the blessing

00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.620
 of the

00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.100
 country that

00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:32.480
 we live

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.059
 in and

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.319
 we have

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.859
 the blessing

00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.460
 of lots

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.259
 of subtle

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.079
 opportunities

00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.279
 lots of

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.879
 day-to-day

00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.579
 choices that

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.240
 we can make

00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.980
 to testify

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.059
 that Jesus

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.759
 is better

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.019
 the choices

00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.720
 to tell the

00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.339
 truth even

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.859
 when you know

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.159
 it's going

00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.779
 to cost you

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:49.919
 the choices

00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.619
 to be different

00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.159
 to the people

00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.759
 around you

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.279
 because you

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.679
 know it's

00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:53.099
 what God

00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.539
 wants

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.539
 the choice

00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.000
 to open

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.559
 your mouth

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.379
 and say

00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:58.799
 Jesus is

00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.240
 the only

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.619
 way

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.480
 to heaven

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:02.279
 the response

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.720
 you make

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:02.960
 when you

00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.319
 have that

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.579
 awkward

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.220
 conversation

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.700
 when someone

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.180
 finds out

00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.440
 you're a

00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.759
 Christian

00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.500
 and they

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.819
 ask you

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.059
 do you

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.440
 think I'm

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.799
 going to

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.019
 hell

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:10.660
 do you

00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.000
 water it

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.500
 down and

00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.200
 say oh

00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.559
 it's hard

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:12.960
 to say

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.240
 I'm not

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.880
 really sure

00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:15.100
 or do you

00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:15.880
 say well

00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:16.640
 Jesus is the

00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.019
 only way to

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.480
 get to heaven

00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:17.900
 is he your

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.180
 Lord

00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:22.940
 the instruction

00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.319
 in this

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.460
 passage is

00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.079
 testify

00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:27.440
 the instruction

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.120
 isn't go

00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:28.600
 looking for

00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.240
 suffering go

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.700
 looking for

00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.259
 persecution

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.019
 that'll

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.379
 happen

00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.960
 but the

00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.500
 instruction

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.379
 the command

00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:34.680
 to the

00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.119
 disciples

00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:35.519
 and the

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:35.819
 command

00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.240
 to us

00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.619
 is be

00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.059
 bold

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.720
 and be

00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.099
 fearless

00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.460
 you don't

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:39.759
 need to

00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.279
 muster up

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.799
 courage

00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.920
 the spirit

00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.519
 is in you

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.339
 testifying to

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.700
 Jesus

00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:45.759
 Jesus is the

00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.279
 best thing

00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.680
 you've got

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.140
 all you've got

00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.680
 to do is open

00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.079
 your mouth

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.680
 and tell people

00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.180
 about him

00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:51.620
 the forgiveness

00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.259
 you know

00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.140
 the hope

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.600
 you have

00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.320
 the salvation

00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.240
 that you have

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.860
 experienced

00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.799
 is better than

00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.640
 anything that

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.299
 this world has

00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.740
 to offer

00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.400
 and this

00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.279
 passage is just

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.820
 telling us to

00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:01.660
 open our mouths

00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.620
 and talk about

00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:02.820
 it

00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:04.200
 you don't have to

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.880
 come up with a

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.600
 gospel presentation

00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.759
 just tell people

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.740
 how good Jesus

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.299
 is and what he's

00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.980
 done for you

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:11.860
 just say I am

00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.620
 forgiven because

00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.700
 Jesus died in my

00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.180
 place

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.180
 that is what this

00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.900
 passage is telling

00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.480
 us to do

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:18.440
 to stand up and

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.400
 testify no matter

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.420
 what it costs

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:23.160
 to be able to

00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.900
 stare not just

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.980
 death but every

00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.660
 compromise

00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.900
 to stare the

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.600
 pressure of a

00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:29.980
 culture in the

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.240
 face and say I

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.200
 have decided to

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.000
 follow Jesus

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.620
 no turning back

00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.320
 no turning back

00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:35.880
 because he is

00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.940
 better than

00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.440
 anything

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:40.920
 that video we

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.380
 watched just

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:41.820
 earlier is

00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.299
 emotional

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.779
 we can hear a

00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.519
 story like that

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.480
 and be devastated

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.240
 at the cost that

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.920
 that man had to

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.039
 pay just to

00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.639
 follow Jesus

00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:50.980
 and that's

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.299
 right

00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:54.399
 but maybe even

00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.119
 more we can be

00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.799
 inspired that he

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.559
 knew what it was

00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.339
 to be completely

00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.440
 satisfied by his

00:27:59.440 --> 00:27:59.819
 saviour

00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:02.059
 that he was able

00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.920
 to sing in the

00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.480
 face of loss that

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.019
 we can barely

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.519
 comprehend

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.539
 sing in the face

00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.139
 of death

00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:10.220
 because his

00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.480
 treasure could

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.240
 never be taken

00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.899
 from him

00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:16.519
 Jesus says

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.080
 tonight it

00:28:17.080 --> 00:28:17.900
 costs everything

00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.580
 to follow me

00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:19.200
 don't try and

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.480
 avoid the

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.340
 opposition or the

00:28:21.340 --> 00:28:22.160
 difficulty it's

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.600
 inevitable

00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:24.880
 instead know that

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.360
 it's coming

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:27.980
 be prepared

00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:30.480
 pray and ask

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.040
 that God will

00:28:31.040 --> 00:28:31.620
 give you eyes

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.680
 to see those

00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.259
 little subtle

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.940
 opportunities

00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.540
 to testify

00:28:35.540 --> 00:28:38.400
 pray that he

00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.800
 will give you

00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:39.620
 boldness

00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.599
 pray that he'll

00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.019
 give you the

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.819
 words to say

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.359
 so that you

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:42.919
 can stand

00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:43.500
 firm and

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:43.939
 testify

00:28:43.939 --> 00:28:45.619
 pray that you

00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.399
 will be so

00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:47.599
 satisfied in

00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:47.939
 Jesus

00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:49.859
 so content

00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.659
 so joy

00:28:50.659 --> 00:28:51.099
 filled

00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:53.399
 with your

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.899
 treasured

00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:54.179
 Jesus

00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:55.500
 that there is

00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.199
 nothing that

00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:56.819
 anyone could

00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:58.079
 possibly try and

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.039
 offer you

00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:00.179
 to drag you

00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:00.839
 away from him

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:04.480
 you also

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.639
 must testify

00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:08.519
 because you

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.779
 know that

00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.399
 Jesus is

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:10.699
 better

00:29:10.699 --> 00:29:15.699
 father God

00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.119
 we want to

00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.720
 admit that

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.519
 so often

00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:20.279
 we choose

00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.919
 silence

00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:22.419
 we choose

00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:22.980
 safety

00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.720
 we choose

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.419
 the path of

00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:26.279
 least resistance

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:30.220
 when Lord

00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.799
 we know

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.759
 that that's

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.220
 not how you

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.639
 work

00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:34.259
 we know

00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.779
 that saying

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.480
 yes to you

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.059
 means that

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.460
 we will be

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:36.960
 opposed

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.639
 means that

00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.000
 we will be

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.359
 hated

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:40.700
 father we

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.279
 ask that you

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:41.779
 would so

00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.619
 fill us with

00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.220
 your spirit

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.680
 and so

00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.619
 satisfy us

00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:44.899
 in your

00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:45.240
 son

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:47.259
 that we

00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.500
 would not

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:47.879
 be able to

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.399
 help but

00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:48.940
 talk about

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.180
 you

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:50.200
 no matter

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.519
 what the

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.220
 reaction is

00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.460
 no matter

00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:51.759
 what the

00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.079
 opposition

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.539
 is

00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:52.839
 that we

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.139
 wouldn't

00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:53.399
 be able

00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:53.839
 to close

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.339
 our mouths

00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.799
 because we

00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.379
 are so

00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.259
 overwhelmed

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.839
 and in

00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.359
 awe of

00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:57.920
 your love

00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.240
 and your

00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.660
 mercy

00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.420
 and your

00:29:59.420 --> 00:29:59.920
 goodness

00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:05.079
 father keep

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.420
 us from

00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.180
 compromise

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:10.160
 empower us

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.619
 and empower

00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.379
 Christians all

00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:11.740
 over the

00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.079
 world in

00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.180
 all circumstances

00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.660
 to speak

00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.359
 your truth

00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.259
 so that you

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.579
 get the

00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:16.940
 glory

00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:18.359
 to speak

00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:18.900
 your truth

00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.319
 so that

00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.879
 others might

00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.319
 be drawn

00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.700
 in to

00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.420
 testify of

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:21.539
 your

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.039
 goodness

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:24.920
 father we

00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.279
 thank you

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.839
 for Jesus

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:28.579
 because he

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.740
 is our

00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.079
 treasure

00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.159
 because he

00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:31.599
 is the

00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.159
 most valuable

00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:32.659
 thing

00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:36.000
 amen

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:40.160
 things

00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.700
 you

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:43.960
 what

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.579
 you

00:30:44.579 --> 00:31:02.660
 you