WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.419
 Good morning. Good morning, everyone. Mighty Oaks, you guys are going to hang out with us for another 10-15 minutes or so because some of you are going to be doing a reading for us and then you can go off into the room.

00:00:13.419 --> 00:00:20.859
 And as we were worshipping, I was just so encouraged as I was just looking around.

00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:26.660
 I don't know if it's obvious to you, but it's fairly clear to me that the Holy Spirit has been moving.

00:00:27.339 --> 00:00:28.759
 The Holy Spirit has been working.

00:00:29.780 --> 00:00:35.179
 And that's the biggest encouragement for me, that it's not just me or a small group of people.

00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:37.179
 This sounds like I'm in a shower.

00:00:37.179 --> 00:00:45.579
 That are doing as much as we can, but actually it's so clear to see that actually God has been working throughout all the different people.

00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:50.539
 I think maybe the most encouraging conversation I had this last week on a prayer call I had was hearing Alex Ligo.

00:00:50.899 --> 00:00:53.000
 I think something's stirring at work.

00:00:53.480 --> 00:00:55.179
 The Holy Spirit's asking me to do something there.

00:00:55.320 --> 00:01:05.060
 And then, of course, I shared last week that actually Kelly reminded us a few weeks ago, just actually just meeting people and actually stopping at nothing to share the good news with them.

00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:10.740
 And not being afraid to give someone a Bible if they're actually asking for these kind of questions.

00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:23.520
 It's encouraging for me because that's the only way the gospel moves, not just from one person doing all the talking, all the working, but for everyone to take up the calling that each of you have been asked by the Lord to do.

00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:25.579
 That's been the most exciting thing for me.

00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:28.820
 So even down to something like Christmas, actually, maybe just a small plug again for that.

00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:30.500
 December 21st.

00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:32.980
 If you're like, OK, I don't quite know what God's calling me to do at work.

00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:35.700
 I don't know what God is calling me to do in my friendship groups.

00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:37.700
 Well, at least bring them to Christmas.

00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:41.640
 There will be a Christmas service that's happening on December 21st.

00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:44.380
 Let me tell you a little bit more about the thing afterwards.

00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:47.020
 The thing afterwards is we just want to create this.

00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:50.980
 OK, so Christina and I, we grew up in England in a place called Birmingham.

00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:52.380
 It's not the most beautiful place.

00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:55.680
 It's probably one of the least beautiful places in the world.

00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:02.060
 But it's one of our favorite things during Christmas is this thing called the Christmas market.

00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:03.060
 And it's really fun.

00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:08.659
 And you go around and you just drink mulled wine and eat kind of chocolate fondue and all those kinds of things.

00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:14.020
 So we were like, what would it take for us to create something a little bit similar, but maybe here just to have a bit of fun?

00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:14.620
 Luana, you're laughing.

00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:16.159
 Did you do that in Birmingham?

00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:17.340
 Did you go to the Christmas market?

00:02:17.480 --> 00:02:18.100
 It's pretty fun.

00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:19.060
 Of course, it's freezing there.

00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:22.580
 We can kind of simulate that by putting the air con on here.

00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:27.600
 But the idea is to be able to have something where we can maybe, OK, we have friends.

00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:29.380
 We can't have lunch with everyone.

00:02:29.760 --> 00:02:37.260
 But what if we just had a few stalls on this floor and on the fifth floor where we can maybe just have some fun?

00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:40.740
 So we need help because we cannot do this on our own.

00:02:41.420 --> 00:02:47.980
 Please, if you are good and gifted at something like face painting, please come and offer to run that stall with us.

00:02:48.540 --> 00:02:50.500
 Otherwise, I'll be the one painting faces.

00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:50.620
 Yes.

00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:51.740
 OK, so please.

00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:53.719
 And of course, if you're like, I really can't do it.

00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:54.139
 I really don't know.

00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:55.379
 But I have money.

00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:56.659
 Then can you pay for that stall?

00:02:57.039 --> 00:03:00.080
 OK, so just get involved.

00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:01.819
 I think that's going to be the most fun thing.

00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:03.979
 If there's going to be live music, people are going to sing and play.

00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:06.900
 And so please, December 21st, that's the one.

00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:12.759
 And maybe just on that note, did you realize that today is the last Sunday we're going to be in this room for service?

00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:12.840
 Yes.

00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:13.959
 Yeah.

00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:16.979
 Give thanks to God who provided that.

00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:21.579
 I actually give thanks to the whole team, the deacons who have just been working hard behind the scenes.

00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:27.939
 And actually, Gabe, for helping us with all the tech and Christina and Bonnie, helping us with just getting everything that we need to get down there.

00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:29.459
 Which is another thing.

00:03:29.519 --> 00:03:32.739
 Gabe, do we need help after service today to move certain things down?

00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:33.939
 There's a few things to bring.

00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:35.699
 There's a few things to bring.

00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:52.240
 So if you are strong and if you are physically capable, or Julian, if you know someone who is, can you or if you're actually just simply nosy and you want to can just offer to grab something and then you can come downstairs to the fifth floor with us and we can help set up that.

00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:53.800
 OK, so that's happening.

00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:56.539
 So next Sunday, do not come here.

00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:03.699
 If you do come here, we'll take that as your sign that you are willing to offer to help with kids Sunday school.

00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:05.819
 OK, because the kids are going to be here.

00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:13.819
 So that is the only reason why you should be here is either you are teaching kids or you own children or just they are your responsibility.

00:04:15.159 --> 00:04:18.160
 And that's the only reason why you should be here on the next Sunday.

00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:28.879
 OK, we actually should take a picture because it makes me think maybe two years ago when we before we moved in here, there was a group of us who at the beginning of the gathering in Jordan, we took a picture on our last Sunday.

00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:29.519
 So we should come.

00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:31.980
 Someone remind me, Julian, can you remind me to take a picture in the end?

00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:35.340
 I don't know how we're going to do it, but we should take one picture just for memory's sake.

00:04:36.900 --> 00:04:38.240
 Last week, I asked, why are you here?

00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:40.800
 And each week we try and put those statements up.

00:04:41.140 --> 00:04:42.420
 Look, you may remember them.

00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:43.140
 They may work for you.

00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:43.620
 They may not.

00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:51.720
 But for me, every time I just I just I force myself to just stop and go, OK, this isn't just a routine thing that I do mindlessly.

00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:54.240
 There is a reason why I gather.

00:04:54.240 --> 00:05:04.240
 There is a reason why I gather with other people because I recognize that I cannot do it on my own or rather it's much better to do it with people.

00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:05.460
 It's when we are with people.

00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:06.980
 It's when we are encouraged.

00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:09.379
 We all have different callings.

00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:10.920
 Some of us work in the hospital.

00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:12.379
 Some of us work in the law field.

00:05:12.460 --> 00:05:14.720
 Some of us aren't working yet.

00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:19.360
 Whatever it is, there are different areas that you have been placed in.

00:05:20.020 --> 00:05:23.040
 And in those areas, the Lord is calling you to do something.

00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:25.360
 Now, there is one calling for all of us.

00:05:25.780 --> 00:05:26.680
 The main calling.

00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:31.200
 The main calling is to know him and enjoy him and glorify him forever and ever and ever.

00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:35.780
 But how that looks in your field is going to be different.

00:05:36.200 --> 00:05:38.080
 We're going to be going through Acts chapter 18.

00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:47.439
 And maybe another thing is we're going to have a little stop after this Sunday because next Sunday, as we move down to the fifth floor, as we enter into a season of Advent, we're going to go into a season.

00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:49.300
 OK, well, why did Jesus come?

00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:51.939
 Why did Jesus come to be with us?

00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:53.019
 So we're going to take a pause.

00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:57.759
 We've reached Acts 18 and then we're going to revisit that back again in January.

00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:01.919
 But the question always is, why has God placed me where I am right now?

00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:05.079
 Around the people that he's placed in front of me.

00:06:05.219 --> 00:06:06.560
 What am I supposed to be doing?

00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.899
 What am I supposed to be sharing with them?

00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:13.180
 Now, some people, some people are called to go to Congo.

00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:17.319
 Some people are called to live in Zambia like my brother did.

00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:21.319
 Some people are called to simply go back to work with a renewed mindset.

00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:23.939
 What if?

00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:29.180
 What if God placed you in the job or in the course that you're in right now?

00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:32.720
 What if it wasn't really about the course or the job?

00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:34.840
 Something I shared last week, right?

00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:40.299
 Where we've integrated the world's values and the world's goals into our faith.

00:06:40.539 --> 00:06:46.399
 And we're thinking, OK, everything about God is basically geared towards me living a good life,

00:06:46.739 --> 00:06:50.159
 living a comfortable life, living a fruitful life when it's quite the opposite.

00:06:50.719 --> 00:06:52.439
 When it really should be, wait.

00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:58.860
 If everything is for God, then all these other things that I've got going on around me should be geared towards him.

00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:05.600
 And so the question that I want you to keep asking is, why has God placed you where you are?

00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:07.180
 And why has he put people around you?

00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:11.900
 I hope you gather here because you like some people here, at least two or three.

00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:17.259
 That'll be preferable where you come to the service and you go, oh, I actually enjoy seeing you.

00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:19.639
 I enjoy hanging out with Jackie.

00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:22.339
 I enjoy their company.

00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:27.779
 When I was with Young Life, my boss would often do this one thing, a little bit cringy, a little bit cheesy.

00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:31.000
 He'd get us all standing in a circle and he'd get us all holding hand in hand.

00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:35.099
 But one hand you'd be placing on top of the other and the other one you'd be kind of underneath.

00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:42.620
 So the whole goal is to remind us as a kind of image is that when we are gathered together, there is something to give and there is something to receive.

00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:44.280
 That's why you're here.

00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:45.780
 I hope that's why you're here.

00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:47.720
 And today we're going to look at Acts 18.

00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:51.920
 This is the kind of the finale of Paul's second missionary journey.

00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:54.900
 And what we see here is he cannot do it alone.

00:07:55.320 --> 00:07:58.140
 It is all about the people around him.

00:07:58.460 --> 00:08:03.220
 If you look at this whole passage, there are so many of the names that are beyond just Paul.

00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:05.300
 And I want us to be able to kind of unpack a little bit.

00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:06.260
 Two things really.

00:08:06.580 --> 00:08:09.320
 One thing is the spiritual friendship that's needed.

00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:12.020
 And the other thing that spiritual mentorship that's needed.

00:08:12.320 --> 00:08:15.660
 The spiritual friendship and the spiritual mentorship that's needed.

00:08:15.940 --> 00:08:17.300
 And so we're going to open up the word.

00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:22.720
 And today we have the privilege of having a few young'uns come to read the word of God to us.

00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:26.020
 So as always, can I invite you to stand for the word of the Lord?

00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:30.140
 Maybe I will pray first before we read.

00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:32.939
 And we're going to have Sam kick us off.

00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:34.799
 And then we're going to have Reuben in the middle.

00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:36.879
 And then we're going to have Lucy bring us home.

00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:40.939
 It's a, let me tell you how many verses there are just so you can brace yourself.

00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:46.179
 There are 28 verses in Acts chapter 18.

00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:46.580
 Okay.

00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:53.759
 God, we stand because we are filled with reverence and awe for your word.

00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.720
 The word that gives life.

00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:59.100
 And even if we don't feel it, we want to feel this way.

00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.720
 We want to hunger for your word.

00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:05.060
 We want to be in utter admiration for what you have to say to us.

00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:09.160
 Utter dependence on what these words will do for us.

00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:10.480
 The power that they have.

00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:14.300
 So we stand and we allow your word to minister to us now.

00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.399
 From the book of Acts chapter 18.

00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:18.120
 Thanks.

00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:23.620
 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:26.460
 And he found a Jew named Aquila.

00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:31.379
 A native of Pontus recently came from Italy with his wife Priscilla.

00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:34.799
 Because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.

00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:36.399
 And he went to see them.

00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:40.740
 And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked.

00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:43.860
 For they were tent makers by trade.

00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:51.080
 And he reasoned in the synagogue after Sabbath and tried to persuade the Jews and Greeks.

00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:57.300
 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word.

00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:02.180
 Testifying to the Jews and that Christ was Jesus.

00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:07.899
 And when they opposed and revealed him, he shook out his garments and said to them,

00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:10.180
 Your blood be on your own heads.

00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.340
 I am innocent.

00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:13.820
 From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.

00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:18.080
 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titus Justice.

00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.820
 A worshiper of God.

00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:26.480
 His house was next door to the synagogue.

00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:31.139
 Sripus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord.

00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:40.259
 Together with his entire household and many of the Corinthians, hearing Paul, believed and were baptized.

00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:47.460
 And the Lord said to Paul, One night in a vision, Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.

00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:51.580
 For I am with you and no one will attack you to harm you.

00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:54.720
 For I have many in this city who are my people.

00:10:55.019 --> 00:11:00.240
 And he stayed a year and six months teaching the word of God among them.

00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:01.220
 Thank you, sir.

00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:03.460
 That's 12.

00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:04.419
 Yes.

00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:19.559
 But when Galileo was prime council of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribe.

00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:49.539
 And he said to the Jews,

00:11:49.539 --> 00:12:05.839
 And when he drove them from the tribunal and they seized, and they all seized Sothnes, the ruler of the synagogue, they beat him in front of the tribunal.

00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:35.820
 And he said to the Jews,

00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:39.240
 He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:44.200
 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.

00:12:44.760 --> 00:12:47.180
 But on taking leave of them, he said,

00:12:48.140 --> 00:12:50.879
 I will return to you if God wills.

00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:53.700
 And he set sail for Ephesus.

00:12:53.700 --> 00:13:02.379
 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church.

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.320
 And then he went down to Antioch.

00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:20.620
 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Vrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:23.480
 Thank you, Reuben and Lucy.

00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:38.740
 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to emphasis.

00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:44.779
 He was an eloquent man, competent in his scriptures.

00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:57.299
 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus.

00:13:57.299 --> 00:14:08.659
 Though he knew only the Baptist of John, he began to speak boldly in the synagogue.

00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:22.019
 But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God.

00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:39.120
 More accurately, when he was wise to cross at Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him.

00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:56.019
 And when he arrived, he greatly helped those who, though grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures and that the Christ Jesus.

00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:57.840
 Thank you.

00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:59.180
 This is the word of the Lord.

00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:00.720
 Please take a seat.

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.340
 Thank you, kids.

00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.320
 Can we give them a round of applause?

00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.800
 Actually, you guys can head over there.

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:06.980
 I think Johnny should be here by now.

00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.820
 If not, Gabe's going to.

00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.660
 Why don't you guys go in first?

00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:12.080
 Thank you.

00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.200
 Huh?

00:15:13.920 --> 00:15:14.379
 Yeah, yeah.

00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.399
 Maybe give him a call.

00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:16.399
 See where he is.

00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:16.600
 Yeah.

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.200
 Thank you.

00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.360
 Oh.

00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:20.080
 Can you imagine?

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:29.080
 Can you imagine showing up to the synagogue on a Sabbath and then standing for hours as people read the Old Testament?

00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:32.240
 That would have been a little bit like how it would have been back then.

00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:40.560
 I don't know about you, but actually that's what really causes, inspired me to kind of get my muscles going in terms of really hanging on every word,

00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:47.200
 really trying to discipline my mind, take captive of every thought to really allow the word of God to really permeate into my heart.

00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:50.940
 As we look at this, though, you see it's not just Paul.

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.560
 There are a whole group of people.

00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:54.200
 So he was in Athens, remember?

00:15:54.500 --> 00:16:00.360
 He was in Athens and he was talking to people who were incredibly smart, challenging them, and actually them challenging him back,

00:16:00.520 --> 00:16:04.200
 and them engaging in just discussion about who Jesus is.

00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:06.000
 And he kept clinging on to the same thing.

00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.820
 Jesus and the resurrection.

00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.900
 This has helped me as I've gone and spoken to different people.

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.960
 We can talk about different things.

00:16:14.020 --> 00:16:16.540
 We can talk about did the fish really eat Jonah?

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:19.559
 We can talk about science versus faith.

00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:22.120
 We can talk about why there is suffering in this world.

00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:26.179
 But if we really need to boil it down, there's only really one miracle that we hold on to,

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:28.740
 and that is the fact that someone died and then they rose again.

00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:35.059
 And if you believe that miracle, then the rest, honestly, is fairly straightforward and fairly easy.

00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:37.620
 The goal is we cannot do it alone.

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:40.339
 Even Jesus sent people out two by two.

00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:43.600
 Because sometimes when you go out on your own, it's hard.

00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:48.139
 So all of us, as we're wrestling with what the calling is, then you're like, oh, okay, I must go.

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:50.580
 But then there's another thing, which is, oh, but why is it so hard?

00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:57.800
 It's all fun when it's here, when we're talking amongst people who actually share the same belief as us.

00:16:57.799 --> 00:17:05.259
 But you and I both know the moment we walk into our workplace, walk into our fields and our friends, wrong place, over this way, the other room.

00:17:06.419 --> 00:17:07.200
 We're in that room.

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.559
 It's okay, no one saw you.

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:11.720
 And this is as subtle as it could possibly be.

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.299
 Yep, don't worry.

00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.460
 Don't worry.

00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.700
 It's all right.

00:17:14.919 --> 00:17:15.879
 Still, no one can see.

00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.180
 You made it.

00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:30.799
 There's this image of Paul that he's just this fierce man that isn't afraid of anyone, right?

00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.160
 You have this feeling.

00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:35.500
 He goes from place to place to place, and he's just going to engage with everyone.

00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.960
 But it's really interesting.

00:17:37.060 --> 00:17:43.220
 As you look at the book of Acts and you look at this account, one thing that you almost must do is also look at the letters that are matched to it.

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:52.200
 So as he walks into Corinth, it's actually really good to open the book of 1 and 2 Corinthians and go, wow, this is how you actually felt.

00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.100
 Imagine him.

00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:57.660
 He's just been discussing with a group of people in Athens about this, and then he has to go.

00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:01.240
 And so verse 1, after this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:06.539
 I just was just, I actually paused there as I read this on Monday morning.

00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:08.500
 I was like, that would have been hard.

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:12.000
 I mean, he got used to the ministry in Athens, and then he had to leave again.

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.839
 And he had to go to Corinth on his own.

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:20.359
 As you walk through a city on your own, you're like, oh, where's God leading me?

00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:26.180
 And can you see, this is where the Holy Spirit comes in, because he is not on his own, even though he is the only human there that's doing this.

00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:28.160
 But actually, the Holy Spirit is with him.

00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:32.019
 And in 1 Corinthians 1 and 2, he talks, actually, when he showed up in Corinth, what was it?

00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:33.099
 It wasn't in strength.

00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.920
 It wasn't in conviction.

00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.700
 It was in fear and trembling.

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:39.660
 He's like, I don't even know what God's going to do here through me.

00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:42.779
 But you guys in Corinth, you remember how I showed up.

00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:46.680
 That actually, the only thing I was leaning on wasn't lofty speech and wisdom.

00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.560
 Wasn't eloquent words.

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.480
 It was just the Spirit and the power of God.

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:57.660
 And so as we go into the different spheres that we're called to, we remember that we're not going alone.

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.200
 The Holy Spirit was with us.

00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:02.759
 But then very quickly, God will also bring people.

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:13.420
 So verse 2, you see, and he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently came from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.599
 And he went to see them.

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:20.440
 So the first point I wanted to make is, you can see God's sovereignty when you step out.

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:29.599
 And one of the ways that you can see God's sovereignty, the word sovereignty simply means that God is in control, is that when you step out, he will often bring people alongside you.

00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:31.939
 You won't have to do it alone.

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.019
 That's one of the best ways that he shows you that he is in control.

00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:39.059
 The moment you step out and you realize you're not alone, then there are other people he has brought.

00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:43.119
 So imagine Paul walking through the city of Corinth going, what do I do here?

00:19:43.719 --> 00:19:47.599
 And then he meets Aquila and Priscilla, this couple.

00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.519
 This couple that were tent makers, actually.

00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:52.019
 Paul himself was a tent maker.

00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:59.039
 So you've got to know, Jewish culture, as soon as you're of age, they will train you in a trade so you can actually work, so you can actually survive.

00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:02.879
 So it so happened that actually Paul also was a tent maker.

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.799
 So what does he do?

00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:07.299
 He goes and finds Priscilla and Aquila, and then they hang out, and he went to see them.

00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:12.000
 Verse 3, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tent makers by trade.

00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:17.319
 Verse 4, and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:27.879
 Okay, so for those of you who work and say, well, I'm not a full-time minister and I'm not a pastor, and so actually it's not really my job to be kind of sharing the gospel.

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.700
 James, it's your job.

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:32.259
 This is where it falls apart for you.

00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:37.919
 Okay, because Paul goes to work, and he only goes to the synagogue on the Sabbath.

00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:42.100
 So the other days he's actually working as a tent maker, and what were they doing?

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:47.539
 They were basically cutting and sewing together woven cloth, goat's hair, and basically making tents for it.

00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.120
 And those tents, what would they be used for?

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:51.600
 Actually, they'd be used to house Roman soldiers.

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:55.360
 So the rest of the weekdays, he's actually working.

00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.220
 Isn't that interesting?

00:20:57.220 --> 00:21:07.480
 That we're not supposed to just do our Christian thing on the Sabbath, but we're actually supposed to do it wherever you're supposed to have work.

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:11.299
 Tim Keller says this in his book, Every Good Endeavor.

00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.460
 Our work is never just secular.

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:16.160
 It is a stage where God arranges holy encounters.

00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:20.400
 Paul's tent making became the foundation for Corinth's church.

00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.740
 We never have to really do it alone.

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:27.400
 The moment we step out, God brings people alongside us.

00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.900
 And then it's not just Priscilla and Aquila.

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:34.779
 Later, verse 5, when Silas and Timothy arrived, so suddenly he starts to assemble his avengers.

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:43.980
 Suddenly he starts to get people around him where they can go into the synagogues and go into the agoras, which are the marketplaces, to engage people in the message of Jesus.

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:48.700
 When you go, there will be spiritual friendship that is provided.

00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:53.099
 When you go, you will see that there are other people that the Lord has called to you.

00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:56.539
 And then, so later on, verse 7,

00:21:56.539 --> 00:22:00.399
 And he left there and he went to the house of a man named Titius Justice.

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.779
 Let's just call him TJ, a worshiper of God.

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.019
 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue.

00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:06.879
 So TJ lives next to the synagogue.

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.619
 So he meets Priscilla and Aquila.

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.599
 He has Silas and Timothy joining him.

00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:13.159
 And then he meets TJ, who hangs out at his house.

00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.819
 But then his house next door is the synagogue.

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.740
 And the ruler of the synagogue is Crispus.

00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:22.299
 So suddenly you have Priscilla, Aquila, Silas, Timothy, TJ, and Crispus all hanging out together.

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.639
 And then they go into the synagogue.

00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:28.680
 And that's where many, many Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:33.700
 So you can see there's just an army of people that are starting to come together.

00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:40.500
 I remember when, I remember when Christine and I, we first took the leap of faith to go into ministry.

00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.879
 So she left the work in the hospital.

00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:44.720
 I left teaching in a school and we went.

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:48.759
 And, of course, when you go, and we were just, this was when we were late 20s.

00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:52.400
 When we were late 20s, where actually most people are thinking, this is when you forge out your career.

00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:54.600
 This is when you start climbing in your career.

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.740
 And so we decided to give that all up.

00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:00.100
 Had little baby Ruben at the time, who's obviously not so baby now.

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.200
 And then we just went.

00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:06.779
 And then we found something that was really interesting when we went out into ministry, which sounds great.

00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:08.680
 It sounds spirit-led, and it all was.

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:10.400
 But my goodness, was it a lonely place.

00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:19.180
 When you step out away from the usual track, and then suddenly you look around and your friends, they're all doing the usual track.

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:23.340
 And you're like, oh, actually, what am I supposed to do here?

00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:26.920
 Am I really the only one here that cares about this?

00:23:28.800 --> 00:23:31.280
 And now, of course, you've got to wrestle with that kind of sense of pride.

00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.920
 You're like, oh, well, you guys don't love Jesus.

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.720
 I love Jesus.

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.700
 And the Bible addresses that plenty.

00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:37.700
 When it says, don't have that kind of mindset.

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:39.560
 You keep your eyes focused on me and you go.

00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:46.659
 The problem is, often when you go, or when you do that, when you don't conform to the pattern of this world, it often is a lonely place.

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:49.599
 I wish Paul in Romans 12 would just add that little line in.

00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:52.399
 Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, brackets.

00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:55.240
 It's going to be a really lonely place, but it's okay.

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:59.440
 But you'll be renewed by the transforming of your mind, and you'll know the good and perfect will of God.

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.839
 That's what I wish he had said.

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.539
 But really, it is a lonely place.

00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:08.779
 And I remember standing in some conferences that we were serving and going, wow, we're literally the only people here from our generation.

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.980
 Everyone's left.

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.180
 Everyone's doing their own thing.

00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:14.899
 And then I look across the hall, and I see this friend.

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.819
 Well, he wasn't a friend at that point.

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:21.839
 He was just someone else who had also given up his career to enter into ministry.

00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:24.960
 Someone who actually worked for the Ministry of Defense in the UK.

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.359
 Smart guy.

00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.339
 Very nerdy.

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:30.819
 That's usually the type of people that I avoid, stay away from.

00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:37.159
 And I look across at him, and I'm like, I think I have to be friends with him.

00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.759
 Because if not, I'll have no one.

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.319
 And he's an introvert.

00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.500
 He's like a nerdy introvert.

00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:44.259
 So I walk up to him, and I go, well, I think we're going to have to be friends.

00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.899
 And he was like, well, okay.

00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.039
 He was never going to come to me.

00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:53.740
 But this ended up being a friendship that ended up blossoming for a good few years.

00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:56.139
 And he ended up becoming the godfather of our kids.

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.759
 His personality, completely different.

00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.800
 Temperament, completely different.

00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.900
 Gifting, completely different.

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.580
 He's studying a PhD in theology right now.

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.400
 And I ask him, well, how's it going?

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:06.240
 And then he starts telling me about what he's studying.

00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:09.460
 And I'm like, actually, bro, I wasn't interested in what you're actually studying.

00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.040
 But good on you.

00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.400
 Oh, but the friendship.

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:17.220
 Oh, but the friendship that is so needed.

00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:22.420
 Because when you go into ministry, and I'm saying not quit your jobs and go into becoming a pastor.

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:29.539
 I'm just saying when you go back into your office, and when you share the gospel, it is a lonely, hard place.

00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:32.340
 I think that's kind of why, one of the reasons why we have to come here.

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:34.440
 So we can do a little bit of a recharge.

00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:37.180
 So we can kind of go, oh, this is actually really important.

00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:38.600
 And I'm actually not on my own.

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.140
 There's TJ.

00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:39.779
 There's Crispus.

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.320
 There's Silas.

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.820
 There's Timothy.

00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.620
 There's all these people who are together.

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.580
 Here's my question.

00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:46.940
 And I'm going to turn it on you just to kind of get heart rates kind of pumping a little bit.

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:51.420
 Why is that so hard to have spiritual friendship in Hong Kong?

00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.480
 Actually, this is probably the biggest thing.

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:58.220
 Christina talks a lot about this, as her and I always talk.

00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:02.820
 Why is loneliness just the biggest problem in the church, or in the city, or in the world, in fact?

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:08.059
 Why is it so hard for us to have deep and meaningful friendships, spiritual friendships?

00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.980
 Maybe you think about your context.

00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.299
 Why is it so hard?

00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:17.819
 I haven't picked on Gabs for a while, so I want to pick on you first.

00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.299
 Why is it so hard?

00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.740
 I don't know why I just did that.

00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.419
 That was a no-look pass.

00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.500
 Why is it so hard?

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:31.539
 Because there's a fear of being vulnerable.

00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.619
 There's a fear of being vulnerable.

00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:36.480
 Can someone define the word vulnerable to me?

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.740
 Being accepted.

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.059
 Is that right?

00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:44.500
 I think there's this fear.

00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.200
 We want to be accepted.

00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.440
 We all do.

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.859
 We want to feel this sense of belonging.

00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:54.180
 But the problem is, we all worry that if people knew who we really were, then they wouldn't accept us.

00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:59.399
 And that's why our favorite book is that one page where it says, no, no.

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.039
 Yeah.

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:06.059
 Where it's that scene where he says, no, actually, now you know me.

00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:06.980
 Do you still love me?

00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.440
 And then, is it the horse?

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:11.059
 Who says, oh, now I know you more.

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.960
 I love you even more.

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:16.079
 And so we're so afraid of vulnerability.

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:19.919
 If I'm being very honest, that word kind of makes me cringe a little bit.

00:27:20.399 --> 00:27:22.519
 Because when you say, oh, I'm just about to be really vulnerable now.

00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.099
 I just, I don't know.

00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:25.379
 I just never trust someone who says that that's what they're going to do.

00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:29.320
 But the truth is, why don't we wear our hearts on our sleeves?

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:31.100
 Why don't we say what we really think?

00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.600
 Why don't we actually share?

00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:34.100
 When someone's saying, how are you doing?

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:37.520
 Why don't you just stop it there and make it awkward and say, it's not been great.

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.140
 Why don't we do that?

00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.540
 Because it's hard.

00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:45.500
 Because we're worried when we say that, then people won't accept us.

00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:48.259
 That's got to be one of the biggest things.

00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.740
 Just the fear of vulnerability.

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:55.680
 And the problem, the result of that is actually then, the outcome is that we end up with these

00:27:55.680 --> 00:28:00.299
 kind of really superficial, I wouldn't even call them friendships.

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.579
 I'd just call them acquaintances.

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:06.839
 The amount of times, we've been in Hong Kong for nearly seven years, which is a fairly long time.

00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:10.779
 That said, I meet friends who actually have known each other for 20, 30 years,

00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:12.919
 and I find out how they barely know each other.

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.599
 Right?

00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:17.159
 Because they meet each other once a month.

00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:18.519
 They do the thing.

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.759
 They do the Bible study.

00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:22.859
 And yet, they don't ask challenging questions to one another.

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:26.240
 They don't actually push each other and go, well, can you be vulnerable?

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:29.819
 And there's only really one way to have a culture, to have a conversation,

00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.959
 or a community that's vulnerable.

00:28:31.159 --> 00:28:31.959
 It starts with you.

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.539
 You have to be the first person that does it.

00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:37.019
 Now, there is an appropriate level of vulnerability.

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:40.559
 What we don't want is that you go and you tell everyone everything about your whole life story,

00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.680
 about everything that you're going through.

00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:44.700
 But I don't think we're in danger of that.

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.819
 So, we'll get there.

00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:47.379
 We can talk about that when we get there.

00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:51.000
 But let's just start with sharing with people who we really are.

00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:53.920
 What we are really going through.

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:56.319
 What we are really struggling with.

00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.279
 Vulnerability is definitely one of the ones.

00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.319
 I'm going to go over this side.

00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:00.980
 What's another problem?

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:05.220
 And why do we struggle so much with spiritual friendship, deep, meaningful ones?

00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.519
 What do we have?

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.200
 Time.

00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.440
 It's so true.

00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:17.819
 I found the people that I'm, okay, this friend that I have in the UK,

00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:21.360
 there's not much to do in the UK, by the way.

00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:25.519
 So, if you're about to head to university there, good luck.

00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.440
 Study hard, study well.

00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:31.480
 But really, there's not much to do.

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:33.519
 So, when you have friends, you'll see them a lot.

00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.820
 Because there's no one else.

00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.700
 You just, yeah, you hang out with them.

00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:38.660
 And actually, in most parts of the world, that is true.

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:41.700
 So, my closest friends, what, we'll see maybe once a week.

00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:45.519
 Even in different cities, we'll see each other at least once a month.

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:50.000
 But in Hong Kong, your closest friends, the people that I think, oh, I'm really close to.

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:54.640
 Unless you really try, if you just let it go and just kind of naturally go,

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:57.259
 you'll probably see each other, what, two, three times a year.

00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:59.240
 And that's already good, right?

00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:03.180
 Well, then, no wonder we don't have these spiritual friendships.

00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:07.940
 And we realize we have to actually intentionally work to have them.

00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:11.880
 Because I think so many of us are asking, God, would you just bring people around me?

00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:15.240
 But the question is, oh, can you bring people around me?

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.059
 Oh, you know what?

00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.519
 I would love to have a life group.

00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:20.900
 I would love to have a group of people that really know me, that we get to really hang out with,

00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:24.279
 and that they understand me and we just do life together.

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:31.559
 But is it possible if that life group shows up at my house on Tuesdays between 8 to 9.30?

00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:33.200
 Because I've actually got things before and after.

00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:36.039
 And I can't really leave my house to go to it.

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:38.460
 So, yeah, if they could come to me, that would be great.

00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:41.500
 And it's even better if they're actually in the exact same life stage as me

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:45.559
 and in the same field of work as me and actually have the same interests.

00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.879
 Maybe they like pickleball too.

00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:53.019
 And then, and only then, if we have the same interests, hobbies, work life, schedules,

00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:59.279
 and hopefully live in the same block, then I'm all in.

00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.259
 I am down.

00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:05.359
 Until I have work to do.

00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:09.679
 Until I need to finish the Netflix show that I really just need to finish first.

00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:10.859
 Can you see?

00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:16.039
 We want it, but I don't know if we, and we see the value in it,

00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:18.059
 but I just don't think we're willing to pay the cost for it.

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.519
 And that's the challenge here.

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.719
 How are you going to find spiritual friendship?

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:27.979
 It must mean that we have to go out of our way in some ways.

00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:30.640
 And to kind of shed that kind of fear of vulnerability.

00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:35.339
 Because we have this idea that people in the church are all perfect, all put together.

00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.380
 Keller has this quote,

00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:38.440
 The church is not a museum of saints.

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:40.019
 It is a hospital for sinners.

00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:44.940
 But so often we look, you may have just walked in here as an introvert,

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:47.960
 because you're Asian, so maybe 80% chance you're an introvert.

00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:50.960
 You walk in here struggling with your, whatever you're struggling with,

00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.759
 which is a real thing.

00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:55.019
 You walk in here and your first assumption is everyone else around you

00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:57.099
 knows each other super well and everyone is perfect.

00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:58.399
 apart from you.

00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.159
 Don't we have that?

00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:02.419
 And you walk, can I just tell you that everyone is feeling the same way?

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.859
 Even me.

00:32:06.939 --> 00:32:08.759
 Let's just get that out of our minds.

00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:10.579
 That actually when people walk in here,

00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:13.879
 actually there's always this mindset that you are the minority.

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:18.899
 But if we can just understand that actually we all do need each other

00:32:18.899 --> 00:32:21.839
 and it requires that person to make that awkward conversation

00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.219
 just go a little bit deeper.

00:32:23.219 --> 00:32:24.779
 So when you say, how are you doing?

00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.839
 And you say, oh, I'm fine.

00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:27.639
 Tell me what's fine.

00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.539
 What's been good?

00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:32.899
 Honestly, it's not that hard, but it requires good conversational.

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:36.439
 It requires good conversational curiosity.

00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:40.159
 It requires us to kind of ask that next question.

00:32:40.679 --> 00:32:42.119
 And if you're wondering what that next question is,

00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:43.559
 usually it can just be three words.

00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:44.839
 Tell me more.

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.819
 Tell me more.

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:52.179
 One of the most famous quotes from C.S. Lewis is about friendship.

00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:54.980
 It's when you see the other person, then you go, what?

00:32:55.139 --> 00:32:55.519
 You too.

00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.059
 Here's the quote.

00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:59.519
 Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, what?

00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.319
 You too?

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:02.579
 I thought I was the only one.

00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:08.960
 But in order to get to that point in the conversation, you must be at least willing to ask questions,

00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:10.839
 spend time, be vulnerable.

00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.939
 I wonder whether we can do that.

00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:17.099
 I wonder whether we can be a community that is willing to do that and saying, you're worth it.

00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:21.899
 I so remember maybe two years into my time in Hong Kong, I had a friend who lives in Ma Wan.

00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:25.899
 And of course, if you have to catch a ferry there, then you've really got to wonder, is that really a friend?

00:33:26.959 --> 00:33:32.240
 And I remember him coming out to Central and meeting me.

00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:35.259
 I said, oh, well, what brings you out here from this faraway land?

00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.539
 I said, I'm here for you.

00:33:38.379 --> 00:33:40.119
 I was like, whoa, you did that?

00:33:40.959 --> 00:33:42.980
 To be honest, I'm not sure if I would do it for you.

00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.939
 But all right, if you're there, then I'm there.

00:33:47.959 --> 00:33:50.919
 But I was touched because I was like, oh, I think that's what it is.

00:33:51.179 --> 00:33:56.679
 Are people willing to go out of our ways to actually spend time, to talk about friendship, to be together?

00:33:56.879 --> 00:34:00.639
 And you see Paul here, as he takes his step out, he ends up finding people.

00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:06.399
 Actually, I want to stop talking here because I actually want to bring two friends up to have a little conversation with.

00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:14.259
 Because as we took that step to Hong Kong, one of the things was, Lord, would you bring people around us that we could learn from?

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:17.060
 That there would be an iron sharpening of iron.

00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:21.020
 That we would be encouraged by other people because at the end of the day, we all need people.

00:34:21.080 --> 00:34:22.540
 We all need people to inspire and encourage.

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:29.020
 And there's two people that we, so we came to Hong Kong nearly seven years ago, seven years next month.

00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:31.699
 And we came and it so happened there were two people.

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:38.440
 One was already in the church who had just landed just maybe a few months or a year or so before that, Gabe.

00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:48.220
 And then, of course, once I'd got to Hong Kong, started working for Young Life, and then I made one of my first hires, which is JoJo, for Young Life.

00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:50.139
 And then it's cute because they didn't know each other.

00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:53.980
 And actually, they met here in church doing very different things.

00:34:54.300 --> 00:35:01.880
 But two people who, quite honestly, could not be more different, but also love the Lord in the same fierce kind of way.

00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:11.820
 And you guys have heard Gabe talk in his, I mean, he's Pastor Gabe to you guys now, the one who has memorized Ephesians and just recites 1 Peter just in his sleep.

00:35:12.640 --> 00:35:16.960
 But actually, what I want to do is peel back the curtain a little bit and then show you who he actually really is.

00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:23.420
 And you'll find he's actually interesting, slightly weird, but also a man who truly loves the Lord.

00:35:23.660 --> 00:35:24.800
 And, of course, they ended up being together.

00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:26.660
 So I wanted just to bring them up to have a quick conversation.

00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.760
 Can we give them a round of applause?

00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:27.760


00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:27.820
 Thank you.

00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:35.539
 We're going to grab the two mics.

00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:40.680
 So I'm going to sit down here next to Mo, because it's not really about me, but I'm just going to fire questions.

00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:42.460
 And then you guys are going to answer them.

00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:42.780
 Is that OK?

00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.260
 Gabe and JoJo.

00:35:47.180 --> 00:35:48.059
 Nice to see you both.

00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:52.039
 JoJo, what did you, what attracted you to Gabe?

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:56.539
 This is a very loaded question.

00:35:56.539 --> 00:36:05.360
 I think one of the very first things that attracted me about him was that he wanted to be a missionary as well.

00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:12.800
 And he's kind of just willing to go anywhere in the world to do missions work.

00:36:13.559 --> 00:36:19.279
 But when I had met him, he was also in seminary and he had a huge heart for translation.

00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:22.700
 Now, he had a huge heart for translation.

00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:25.400
 He was in seminary, but that wasn't his full-time job.

00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:27.740
 Gabe, what were you actually doing when you first came to Hong Kong?

00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:29.340
 Yeah, so I came to Hong Kong.

00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:34.440
 It was because I interned in Hong Kong before at a company called Jane Street, and they hired me full-time.

00:36:34.640 --> 00:36:38.220
 So I was working as a stock trader doing algorithmic trading.

00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:41.620
 So making computers, buy and sell stocks automatically to make money.

00:36:42.080 --> 00:36:43.160
 I have no idea what that is.

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.720
 Is that interesting?

00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:45.320
 It's very nerdy.

00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.180
 It's very nerdy.

00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:49.119
 Yeah, you found the British Department of Defense guy, right?

00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:49.899
 Yeah, that's it.

00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:51.339
 Just attracted to nerds.

00:36:51.399 --> 00:36:52.079
 They all need saving.

00:36:53.899 --> 00:37:01.059
 But one of the great things about Gabe, if you don't mind, Jojo, just to kind of shower him with some praise,

00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:05.559
 is actually whilst he's working, which is a demanding job, actually I tried to get lunches with Gabe just to hang out with him.

00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:06.259
 You could never.

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.619
 He was just always working.

00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:11.539
 But outside of work, what else was he doing?

00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:13.079
 What else did you observe?

00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:25.699
 So he was working a full-time job, and then during those lunches, he actually didn't have lunch with people because he had to grab the lunch from the canteen and then bring it to his seat to continue the work.

00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:28.699
 So it's already really taxing, full-time job.

00:37:28.819 --> 00:37:34.500
 And then afterwards, he would do his seminary work on the weekends, after work as well.

00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.539
 Small group leader.

00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:38.380
 And then he was serving in almost everything.

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:48.239
 So AV, he were also doing, he were on worship team, plays a lot of instruments, and serving with Young Life as well.

00:37:48.239 --> 00:37:55.419
 So one of the things that actually was a no-brainer when Gabe was like, I think I finished seminary, I think I want to give up my job to go into being a pastor.

00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:58.059
 I was like, bro, I think you've already been pastoring anyway.

00:37:58.359 --> 00:37:59.559
 I think you've already been working.

00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:06.419
 Do you know when people are already in full-time ministry, then it was an easy call to just say, yes, you've already been doing this.

00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:14.159
 And Gabe, for you, as you look around this room, there's lots of people who are highly qualified, high-functioning, working in highly stressful jobs.

00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:19.380
 And he was like, well, I kind of want to serve, but what's your response to them?

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:22.559
 As someone who has actually gone through it and done it, what would you say?

00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:28.260
 For me, the reason why I did those things was I just thought, what's most important to me?

00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:29.980
 I have one life to live.

00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:31.139
 I have this time.

00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:32.920
 What is the most important thing?

00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:37.920
 And for me, it was to know God, to enjoy him, and to share that with others.

00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:45.720
 There's no, I just feel in my heart, there's no more important mission than that, to glorify God, enjoy him, and to draw people to that.

00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:52.059
 And so I was thinking, in all the time I had, what, it's like, if something had to give, what would it be?

00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:54.400
 It's not my commitments to church.

00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:57.760
 I just want to give everything to the Lord, as much as I can.

00:38:57.760 --> 00:39:04.280
 Maybe just staying with you, what do you think Jojo finds most attractive about you?

00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:13.700
 The only reason I have the facial hair was because it was her suggestion.

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.500
 That's true.

00:39:19.100 --> 00:39:21.880
 Jojo, can you tell us something about Gabe that we will regret knowing?

00:39:21.880 --> 00:39:25.559
 He's really weird.

00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:31.160
 Like, you don't think he's weird up here, because he's very passionate about the word.

00:39:31.680 --> 00:39:34.380
 But behind closed doors, he's super weird.

00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:35.920
 He'll make a song about anything.

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:36.360
 Like,

00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:39.740
 Oh, it's time to sleep.

00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:41.119
 And he'll start chanting it.

00:39:41.220 --> 00:39:41.880
 Do anything.

00:39:42.200 --> 00:39:47.000
 Like, he'll just make a song all the time, and then he's trying to get me to wake up.

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.679
 And then he's like,

00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:48.760
 Chi-lai.

00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:53.960
 You guys don't understand how difficult it is.

00:39:55.059 --> 00:39:57.039
 Start singing the Chinese anthem.

00:39:58.360 --> 00:40:00.000
 Try anything in the book to...

00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:05.219
 Can you sing it for us?

00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:07.039
 No.

00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:07.639
 No, actually, no.

00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:08.599
 I take that question.

00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:08.940
 I don't know if you want.

00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:09.840
 No, please.

00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:11.159
 I can, but how much time do we have?

00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.260
 Okay.

00:40:13.219 --> 00:40:16.159
 Jojo, of course, we had the privilege of getting to know you.

00:40:16.159 --> 00:40:21.119
 They both came from Canada, and around the same time as we did, to be honest.

00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:22.739
 And you came to work for Young Life.

00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:33.420
 And as I was preaching about Athens last week in Acts 17, as I was talking about Paul just walking into a place and seeing that this is not a godly place.

00:40:33.699 --> 00:40:36.399
 This is a field of different kinds of idols.

00:40:36.399 --> 00:40:43.679
 And you actually spend most of your waking hours when you finally wake up is going into schools.

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:45.899
 Going into schools to share the gospel.

00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:47.500
 And often in very hard places.

00:40:47.619 --> 00:40:52.399
 So I think, do you empathize with kind of what Paul was going through as he'd walk into a new place on his own?

00:40:52.619 --> 00:40:56.440
 Tell us a little about what goes through your mind when you walk and approach a school.

00:40:56.440 --> 00:41:04.980
 It was very difficult because I was really just assimilating to the culture from Canada.

00:41:05.179 --> 00:41:05.940
 It was quite different.

00:41:06.019 --> 00:41:06.940
 The culture is quite different.

00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.300
 We hold doors for each other.

00:41:08.300 --> 00:41:14.920
 But at certain schools, it just felt really not friendly.

00:41:15.180 --> 00:41:18.600
 It was very cold.

00:41:18.940 --> 00:41:20.280
 People felt really cold.

00:41:20.860 --> 00:41:23.100
 People felt really alone.

00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:26.579
 Kind of, you know, every man for themselves.

00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:29.980
 Not sharing notes or whatnot for their studying.

00:41:30.420 --> 00:41:33.440
 And it just really felt like everyone wanted to be known.

00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:37.279
 But then they also had this really hard shell.

00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:42.220
 And everyone seemed like they were competing against each other.

00:41:42.220 --> 00:41:45.160
 Whereas they just wanted community on the inside.

00:41:45.340 --> 00:41:52.940
 So it was hard to learn what was behind those spiky exterior shells.

00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:58.880
 And, yeah, to really have to put myself out there and get rejected a ton of times.

00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:02.220
 Which is, yeah, a very large learning experience.

00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:03.800
 Which is the same as Paul.

00:42:03.900 --> 00:42:05.619
 Every place he goes, some people like him.

00:42:05.659 --> 00:42:06.300
 Some people hate him.

00:42:06.420 --> 00:42:07.320
 Some people think he's a god.

00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:08.240
 And some people want to kill him.

00:42:08.639 --> 00:42:10.960
 So what keeps you going back each time?

00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:15.860
 I think of Galatians 1.10 where it says,

00:42:16.059 --> 00:42:19.360
 If you want the approval of man, then you can't be a servant of God.

00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:24.940
 And just thinking, like, who it is that I'm really trying to gain the approval of.

00:42:25.400 --> 00:42:29.660
 Am I going, was I called on this mission by these people?

00:42:29.800 --> 00:42:31.579
 Or was I called by God?

00:42:31.680 --> 00:42:34.079
 And trusting that it's him who transforms them.

00:42:34.120 --> 00:42:35.900
 And it's not me who transforms them.

00:42:36.620 --> 00:42:38.740
 Really honing into the Holy Spirit.

00:42:38.880 --> 00:42:40.660
 And that was completely different.

00:42:41.740 --> 00:42:43.400
 When you look at Priscilla and Aquila,

00:42:43.579 --> 00:42:45.800
 you'll see that actually those two names are always together.

00:42:46.180 --> 00:42:47.160
 They're never separate.

00:42:47.159 --> 00:42:50.980
 They actually open up their home for church.

00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.839
 And everything is done together.

00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:54.619
 And actually, you and Gabe, in some ways,

00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:56.420
 you serve at GU together.

00:42:56.539 --> 00:42:57.359
 You serve at church together.

00:42:57.519 --> 00:43:00.839
 You serve at CIS together.

00:43:02.399 --> 00:43:04.239
 Let me see which way around I want to do this.

00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:09.920
 Gabe, what's the best thing about being able to serve together with your spouse?

00:43:10.819 --> 00:43:11.619
 It's just fun.

00:43:12.259 --> 00:43:14.759
 It's fun that I could do it with my wife,

00:43:14.759 --> 00:43:16.480
 the person I love most in this world.

00:43:17.159 --> 00:43:20.639
 And, yeah, talking about loneliness, right?

00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:21.500
 You mentioned that.

00:43:21.819 --> 00:43:25.000
 Like, I have a partner who's all in on this with me.

00:43:25.279 --> 00:43:25.440
 Yeah.

00:43:26.239 --> 00:43:28.759
 So you love, she's the person you love the most?

00:43:30.099 --> 00:43:30.519
 More than?

00:43:32.099 --> 00:43:33.899
 I said, in this world, James.

00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:34.699
 Oh, it is.

00:43:35.579 --> 00:43:36.799
 Okay, okay.

00:43:36.940 --> 00:43:37.539
 More than who?

00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:40.099
 Should I be concerned?

00:43:40.259 --> 00:43:40.920
 Oh, Taylor Swift?

00:43:42.360 --> 00:43:42.719
 Oh.

00:43:43.900 --> 00:43:45.820
 Pastor Gabe does have a Taylor Swift problem.

00:43:46.059 --> 00:43:49.239
 Okay, so if anyone wants to stay behind and have a prayer intercession time for him,

00:43:49.300 --> 00:43:49.900
 we can do that.

00:43:50.840 --> 00:43:51.019
 Okay.

00:43:51.340 --> 00:43:55.420
 And, Jojo, what's the hardest thing about working together as a couple?

00:43:55.420 --> 00:44:00.220
 Um, I think before marriage, I saw how different we were.

00:44:00.360 --> 00:44:02.000
 Our personalities are quite different.

00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:03.960
 And then we would bump heads often.

00:44:04.180 --> 00:44:10.000
 And then this fear of, wow, we're going to just bump heads in ministry and it's just never going to work.

00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:12.099
 How are we going to even get married?

00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:15.819
 But then really welcoming the spirit to do its work.

00:44:16.019 --> 00:44:23.019
 And I saw that instead of us being different and that, the devil using that as a foothold to divide us,

00:44:23.219 --> 00:44:30.139
 it was actually God giving us different strengths so that we can hone in on each other's strengths and learn from each other.

00:44:30.239 --> 00:44:37.799
 So I have become much more disciplined in some sort of ways of waking up early, obviously.

00:44:37.800 --> 00:44:47.300
 Um, and then, um, yeah, he's just really great at memory, like memorizing scripture and also thinking more logically, theologically.

00:44:47.800 --> 00:44:55.220
 Um, and I would be able to share with him some ways where I'm able to relate to others more relationally or empathetically.

00:44:55.220 --> 00:44:56.620
 And he's able to learn that too.

00:44:56.720 --> 00:45:03.180
 So different things of just redeeming the differences that drive us apart, uh, was really difficult.

00:45:03.180 --> 00:45:05.640
 But then I think God really did a deep work in that.

00:45:06.140 --> 00:45:06.780
 Thank you.

00:45:06.780 --> 00:45:09.200
 Thank you for the work that both of you do for the Lord.

00:45:09.280 --> 00:45:13.440
 And just to model that love for all of us is just something is a true privilege to see.

00:45:13.560 --> 00:45:13.800
 Thank you.

00:45:13.860 --> 00:45:14.740
 Can we give them a round of applause?

00:45:17.500 --> 00:45:18.660
 Can I keep you this one?

00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:27.860
 Um, if you have any interest in serving, uh, with Jojo and Young Life, of course, Aaron, uh, heads up Young Life here.

00:45:28.180 --> 00:45:31.320
 Uh, then actually it's not just secondary schools.

00:45:31.440 --> 00:45:32.500
 It's also teen moms.

00:45:32.620 --> 00:45:33.740
 It's also university students.

00:45:33.739 --> 00:45:43.419
 If there's anyone who wants to go and go out and experience what it feels to be lonely and terrified and rejected, um, then please ask them and they will gladly, gladly, gladly take you with them.

00:45:43.839 --> 00:45:46.239
 Um, spiritual friendship is so key.

00:45:46.739 --> 00:45:53.059
 Um, finding these people who are, who you, who, who both share in the love of the Lord together, but actually maybe do it in different ways.

00:45:53.059 --> 00:45:56.519
 Uh, and that's just the beauty of friendship.

00:45:56.519 --> 00:46:01.139
 Um, there's a, there's an author, Jenny Allen, who says this in her book, find your people.

00:46:01.239 --> 00:46:04.099
 If you want to find your Aquila and Priscilla, start by being one.

00:46:04.259 --> 00:46:09.199
 The gospel multiplies through ordinary people who refuse to live ordinary lives.

00:46:09.820 --> 00:46:12.559
 Uh, would we be people who are willing to go out of our way?

00:46:12.559 --> 00:46:18.019
 And in doing so, we may find ourselves friends who are encouraging to us.

00:46:18.099 --> 00:46:19.920
 We may find ourselves future spouses.

00:46:20.119 --> 00:46:20.440
 Who knows?

00:46:20.519 --> 00:46:25.880
 No guarantees, but what a great way is when you start running towards the Lord and you find other people running next to you.

00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:36.199
 That's definitely the, uh, the biggest highlight of my ministerial career or even before that, whilst I was teaching, is just seeing that there are other people out there who really love the Lord, who live for the Lord.

00:46:36.199 --> 00:46:37.739
 It's truly inspiring.

00:46:37.919 --> 00:46:42.099
 So spiritual friendship is one, uh, spiritual mentorship is another, and we're running out of time.

00:46:42.179 --> 00:46:46.119
 So we're going to jump now, uh, to Acts chapter 18, verse 24.

00:46:47.639 --> 00:46:52.639
 As he was doing this, now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.

00:46:52.819 --> 00:46:54.980
 He was an eloquent man, competent in the scriptures.

00:46:55.339 --> 00:47:02.159
 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately things concerning Jesus.

00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:05.159
 So, they're joined by a guy.

00:47:06.179 --> 00:47:11.920
 Wouldn't it be great that we would be described in such a way that we were eloquent, competent, and fervent?

00:47:12.779 --> 00:47:14.699
 Eloquent, competent, and fervent.

00:47:14.799 --> 00:47:16.759
 This person had a passion.

00:47:17.319 --> 00:47:18.920
 They really wanted to serve the Lord.

00:47:19.000 --> 00:47:21.519
 They really wanted to share the good news of Jesus.

00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:24.019
 So he comes and he joins forces with them.

00:47:25.000 --> 00:47:27.440
 But, but there is a problem.

00:47:27.440 --> 00:47:35.639
 Um, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

00:47:36.159 --> 00:47:43.500
 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

00:47:44.079 --> 00:47:47.000
 I think it's just hidden there, but it's just, can you just imagine that scene with me?

00:47:47.179 --> 00:47:51.099
 So you've got Apollos who comes, who's, who's eloquent, who's fervent, who is just competent.

00:47:51.659 --> 00:47:55.539
 It's a smart person who is able to share that actually Jesus is the Messiah.

00:47:55.539 --> 00:47:56.539
 This is a good person.

00:47:56.619 --> 00:47:58.019
 And you're like, oh, this person's really good.

00:47:58.159 --> 00:48:05.079
 But then imagine Priscilla and Aquila sitting there listening to him and then suddenly going, oh, actually, I don't know if he truly gets it.

00:48:05.940 --> 00:48:15.420
 He's actually talking about Jesus as the Messiah, but actually he doesn't seem to be able to articulate why, what Jesus is saving us from.

00:48:15.880 --> 00:48:24.159
 And he doesn't seem to, and he's only in the, he only knew the baptism of John, which means it looks like he doesn't even know the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:48:25.539 --> 00:48:30.900
 And so this, the scene, you can see husband and wife probably just shoot a look at each other as he's speaking.

00:48:31.500 --> 00:48:35.940
 And then they go, oh, we need to talk to him, but they don't stand up and bring him down right there.

00:48:36.099 --> 00:48:37.099
 They pull him aside.

00:48:37.159 --> 00:48:37.699
 Isn't that fun?

00:48:37.820 --> 00:48:41.199
 Just to see the gentleness and the humility of what even rebuke looks like.

00:48:41.480 --> 00:48:47.259
 And so after the sermon, they pulled him aside and they go, hey, actually, we need to tell you a little bit more.

00:48:47.820 --> 00:48:49.259
 You're, you're, you're so close.

00:48:49.639 --> 00:48:50.440
 You're nearly there.

00:48:50.440 --> 00:48:55.980
 But many years later, Spurgeon is going to say, actually, there's a huge danger about being almost right.

00:48:57.639 --> 00:49:01.800
 Sometimes right and wrong are easy to discern, but when you're almost right, that's dangerous.

00:49:02.559 --> 00:49:03.519
 Let me tell you an example.

00:49:03.639 --> 00:49:10.139
 Maybe a modern day example of this could be basically someone who is a nominal cultural Christian.

00:49:10.860 --> 00:49:14.860
 Someone who, I picked on St. Paul's Co-Ed last week, so maybe I'll pick on DBS this week.

00:49:14.860 --> 00:49:19.620
 Maybe they, they, they grew up in DBS or DGS and they're just smart.

00:49:19.920 --> 00:49:24.120
 They've been to every assembly, heard every Bible story, and they're pretty good.

00:49:24.180 --> 00:49:25.880
 And they, and they were also debate champion.

00:49:26.480 --> 00:49:28.680
 So they are very good at talking about Jesus.

00:49:28.860 --> 00:49:33.940
 They're very good at debating with people about apologetics, about science and faith, about why they're suffering in the world.

00:49:35.240 --> 00:49:37.380
 But they don't actually fully get it.

00:49:37.640 --> 00:49:38.340
 What does that mean?

00:49:38.340 --> 00:49:47.720
 If you can point to Jesus being the one who saves, that Jesus is the answer, but you actually don't know what he's actually answering, then that still remains to be the problem.

00:49:48.140 --> 00:49:54.079
 The problem is, and we talked about this in Acts 15 when we were talking about, do you remember when we were talking about circumcision?

00:49:55.780 --> 00:50:05.120
 When your faith is based on Jesus and something else, when you have to be a good Christian, in order to get to heaven, you must do this, this, this, and this.

00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:08.460
 You must be this kind of person when you slightly miss the point.

00:50:08.819 --> 00:50:15.460
 And honestly, this is probably the biggest problem in our churches is where we think, okay, Jesus is the savior, but we must also save ourselves.

00:50:16.579 --> 00:50:22.579
 Jesus has done all the good work, but we will also guilt trip everyone else for not doing the work that we're doing.

00:50:23.380 --> 00:50:28.639
 But when you are truly people who understand what grace is that we, what we have, we did not deserve.

00:50:28.639 --> 00:50:35.339
 And there's nothing we can really do to get to this holy God, if only this holy God would come to us, is the message of Christianity.

00:50:35.599 --> 00:50:42.779
 The message of Christianity is Jesus, the holy God, did step foot into our neighborhood and did reach us in a way that we could never reach him.

00:50:43.279 --> 00:50:48.420
 If you're honest with yourself, so often when we approach faith is, Jesus, I'm going to try and get to you.

00:50:48.639 --> 00:50:52.799
 I'm going to try and pursue you with every ounce of might that I possibly can have.

00:50:52.800 --> 00:50:55.660
 I'm going to try and take captive every thought.

00:50:55.740 --> 00:50:57.380
 I'm going to try and be as disciplined as I can.

00:50:57.760 --> 00:51:00.160
 And to some way, in some ways, those are really good things.

00:51:00.420 --> 00:51:05.019
 But when you start thinking that when you get to him, that is when you have arrived.

00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:06.720
 That's not the gospel.

00:51:07.519 --> 00:51:09.340
 The gospel isn't us pursuing God.

00:51:09.440 --> 00:51:14.600
 The gospel is God pursuing us and reaching us.

00:51:14.600 --> 00:51:21.780
 So we climb, as the song goes, as we climb the mountains with our hands wide open because we can't get there by ourselves.

00:51:21.780 --> 00:51:26.740
 So I don't exactly know what Apollos was saying here, but clearly he had missed the point slightly.

00:51:27.060 --> 00:51:31.019
 He had neglected the fact that actually Jesus came and he is the Messiah.

00:51:31.220 --> 00:51:31.760
 He is right.

00:51:32.500 --> 00:51:33.420
 But he came to save.

00:51:33.500 --> 00:51:34.920
 He came to die for our sins.

00:51:35.040 --> 00:51:38.820
 But not only that, he came to give life and life to the full.

00:51:39.000 --> 00:51:40.380
 And how does he give it to the full?

00:51:40.500 --> 00:51:41.940
 By giving us the Holy Spirit.

00:51:42.060 --> 00:51:44.260
 So it's this Holy Spirit who is living inside us.

00:51:45.200 --> 00:51:47.019
 How else does this look in our context?

00:51:47.019 --> 00:51:51.659
 So this guy, this girl, went to DBS, debate champion, loves God, kind of.

00:51:52.000 --> 00:51:53.400
 Well, he thinks they do.

00:51:53.659 --> 00:51:55.880
 And they will argue with people about, hey, come to church.

00:51:55.940 --> 00:51:57.400
 Come to church and then you will be a good Christian.

00:51:57.480 --> 00:51:59.259
 Come to church and you will have salvation.

00:52:00.780 --> 00:52:05.820
 Come to church and then you can still do all the other things and be successful because God is for your good.

00:52:05.920 --> 00:52:07.619
 So you will get the promotion that you need.

00:52:07.659 --> 00:52:09.340
 You will get the family that you need.

00:52:09.440 --> 00:52:10.519
 Just keep following God.

00:52:10.659 --> 00:52:12.000
 It almost sounds right.

00:52:12.000 --> 00:52:21.480
 It almost sounds right until you look at every chapter in the New Testament and you see the suffering and you see the sacrifice and you see the loss that comes from people who follow Christ.

00:52:22.019 --> 00:52:25.960
 You look at Hebrews 11, the people who are in the hall of fame of faith.

00:52:26.539 --> 00:52:29.139
 And you see some are cut, sawn in two.

00:52:29.579 --> 00:52:31.420
 Don't get what they were promised.

00:52:32.440 --> 00:52:34.820
 But it's okay because they see something far better.

00:52:35.099 --> 00:52:36.800
 Finally, they see Jesus himself.

00:52:36.920 --> 00:52:38.699
 They see the better country.

00:52:38.699 --> 00:52:45.779
 You can see how easily we can slip into a message that is a watered down version of Christianity.

00:52:46.980 --> 00:52:53.279
 And I think Priscilla and Aquila looked at that and were like, oh, I think you're just missing the point.

00:52:53.960 --> 00:52:58.159
 Let us tell you about Jesus, that he's going to be the one that works.

00:52:58.379 --> 00:53:04.299
 When you invite Jesus into your life, he will also move the furniture around.

00:53:04.300 --> 00:53:10.360
 So often we invite Jesus into our life and hope that that is our secret weapon.

00:53:10.480 --> 00:53:15.460
 He is our most powerful Pokemon that we can then use to tackle every challenge that we have.

00:53:16.700 --> 00:53:20.920
 Until you realize that actually Jesus is wanting to come and move things around in your own life.

00:53:21.640 --> 00:53:25.200
 The Holy Spirit is working, molding, preparing you for eternity.

00:53:26.240 --> 00:53:28.280
 I think maybe that's what Apollos was missing.

00:53:28.280 --> 00:53:32.840
 And you see the mentorship that this lovely couple gives to Apollos.

00:53:33.100 --> 00:53:34.580
 Pulls him aside, talks to him about it.

00:53:34.840 --> 00:53:38.080
 And he ends up continually preaching powerfully as the chapter finishes.

00:53:39.220 --> 00:53:42.360
 Showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

00:53:42.480 --> 00:53:43.640
 And now he knows how.

00:53:43.800 --> 00:53:45.940
 Now he knows why that Jesus came to die.

00:53:46.400 --> 00:53:47.700
 But then he rose again.

00:53:48.320 --> 00:53:50.300
 And now his spirit lives inside us.

00:53:50.300 --> 00:53:58.000
 How beautiful that would have been for him to finally discover that.

00:53:59.440 --> 00:54:00.560
 We all need mentors.

00:54:00.940 --> 00:54:01.420
 You see, it's funny.

00:54:01.680 --> 00:54:04.500
 Later in the church in Corinth, you hear about this.

00:54:05.080 --> 00:54:08.140
 Apollos continues to grow as a preacher to the point where there are people who are like,

00:54:08.220 --> 00:54:10.180
 well, I follow Paul and I follow Apollos.

00:54:11.180 --> 00:54:13.740
 And so he got to a point where his ministry was succeeding.

00:54:13.739 --> 00:54:20.479
 But maybe not without this gentle, loving rebuke that comes from this couple who pull him aside.

00:54:20.899 --> 00:54:22.979
 We all need spiritual mentorship.

00:54:23.559 --> 00:54:27.159
 I look at my own life as I come to be where I am today.

00:54:27.899 --> 00:54:33.379
 And without a slither of a doubt, it's because of the things that I've learned from other people.

00:54:35.139 --> 00:54:37.379
 Learning from my dad what it meant to be a man of integrity.

00:54:38.339 --> 00:54:40.139
 Learning from a guy called Y when my dad passed,

00:54:40.500 --> 00:54:42.279
 who was actually only just a few years older than me,

00:54:42.280 --> 00:54:44.580
 just knowing how to ask questions, knowing how to be curious,

00:54:44.700 --> 00:54:45.720
 knowing how to care for people.

00:54:46.420 --> 00:54:51.820
 My pastor Bert, who was just so good at just relating to the nerds and relating to the jocks

00:54:51.820 --> 00:54:55.040
 and becoming all things to all people in order to save some.

00:54:55.100 --> 00:54:58.760
 He just made people feel comfortable when they were talking to him.

00:54:59.060 --> 00:55:01.120
 And then I come to Hong Kong and I meet John Stowgrove

00:55:01.120 --> 00:55:02.840
 and I just see how he encourages people

00:55:02.840 --> 00:55:05.820
 and pours out into other people and raises them up.

00:55:09.519 --> 00:55:11.760
 And then I look at how Sam plays the piano.

00:55:11.760 --> 00:55:13.880
 And I'm like, I want to try and learn from that.

00:55:16.060 --> 00:55:21.340
 I look at my brother and I see how he is so diligent in retreating and spending solitude with God.

00:55:21.420 --> 00:55:22.780
 And I'm like, I want to learn that.

00:55:23.420 --> 00:55:26.180
 I look at Gabe and I see how he just loves the word

00:55:26.180 --> 00:55:28.740
 and just wants to be just filled with the word.

00:55:29.300 --> 00:55:30.720
 I learn from that.

00:55:30.880 --> 00:55:32.260
 We all have to learn from people.

00:55:32.340 --> 00:55:34.760
 We have something to give and we have something to receive.

00:55:35.260 --> 00:55:38.560
 Wouldn't it be beautiful that we committed to that as a gathering?

00:55:38.559 --> 00:55:42.699
 To look at the best in each other and go, I want to learn some of that.

00:55:44.500 --> 00:55:46.480
 Now it requires humility on both sides.

00:55:47.179 --> 00:55:49.079
 Because actually Priscilla and Aquila could have just pulled him.

00:55:49.159 --> 00:55:50.779
 It was probably at their house night in some times.

00:55:51.279 --> 00:55:54.019
 But no, they take him aside and they guide him and lift him up.

00:55:54.679 --> 00:55:56.739
 It requires a gifted speaker like Apollos to go,

00:55:56.739 --> 00:55:58.859
 Okay, oh, thank you for teaching me.

00:55:59.659 --> 00:56:00.599
 That helps me.

00:56:02.019 --> 00:56:04.219
 Would we be those kinds of people?

00:56:04.699 --> 00:56:05.679
 And I'll finish with this.

00:56:07.619 --> 00:56:11.119
 Tucked in the middle of chapter 18 was verse 9.

00:56:11.219 --> 00:56:13.019
 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,

00:56:13.599 --> 00:56:16.399
 Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.

00:56:16.719 --> 00:56:19.799
 For I am with you and no one will attack you to harm you.

00:56:19.839 --> 00:56:21.979
 For I have many in this city who are my people.

00:56:21.980 --> 00:56:26.460
 This shows maybe how lonely and how fearful Paul was.

00:56:26.539 --> 00:56:28.880
 The fact that God told him this.

00:56:29.539 --> 00:56:30.260
 Don't be afraid.

00:56:30.900 --> 00:56:31.780
 Do not be silent.

00:56:32.780 --> 00:56:34.699
 Do not be silent, but keep speaking.

00:56:34.800 --> 00:56:37.699
 I have many people in this city that are going to help you.

00:56:37.980 --> 00:56:41.159
 So as you go out, as you go out into this lonely field,

00:56:41.920 --> 00:56:43.920
 the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

00:56:44.840 --> 00:56:47.500
 But do not be afraid.

00:56:47.559 --> 00:56:50.900
 Not because you're going to be amazing and you're going to grow a ministry

00:56:50.900 --> 00:56:52.220
 or you're going to bring people to Christ.

00:56:52.340 --> 00:56:53.800
 Do not be afraid because he is with you.

00:56:54.400 --> 00:56:56.360
 And it's the promise all the way that Jesus said,

00:56:56.400 --> 00:56:58.079
 that I will be with you to the end of the age.

00:56:58.320 --> 00:57:00.900
 You will be my witnesses to Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria,

00:57:00.980 --> 00:57:01.860
 to the ends of the earth.

00:57:02.960 --> 00:57:05.260
 And my Holy Spirit will be upon you.

00:57:06.320 --> 00:57:08.019
 And he will be with you.

00:57:08.119 --> 00:57:10.960
 Do not be silent is where I want to finish today.

00:57:11.740 --> 00:57:14.900
 Some of us are being silent in our current contexts.

00:57:15.500 --> 00:57:17.260
 Some of us are like, oh, I don't know.

00:57:17.400 --> 00:57:18.559
 It's better to just be polite.

00:57:18.680 --> 00:57:19.619
 Better to just be subtle.

00:57:19.619 --> 00:57:23.059
 Let me just quickly close my eyes to pray during lunch.

00:57:23.319 --> 00:57:25.539
 But let me just quickly pray for two seconds.

00:57:26.119 --> 00:57:28.159
 Because otherwise it will make my friends feel awkward.

00:57:30.179 --> 00:57:32.819
 Some of us, the next step is to simply just close our eyes

00:57:32.819 --> 00:57:33.719
 just for a little bit longer.

00:57:35.699 --> 00:57:38.119
 Some of us, it is actually to share something.

00:57:38.400 --> 00:57:41.440
 It is, do you realize what we're doing when we are silent?

00:57:43.859 --> 00:57:45.920
 It's a different context, but I'll finish with this quote.

00:57:45.920 --> 00:57:47.639
 There's Martin Luther King.

00:57:49.380 --> 00:57:54.980
 He's in prison and he's writing a letter to a group of actually well-intentioned clergy.

00:57:54.980 --> 00:57:58.199
 And of course he's speaking about social justice.

00:57:59.240 --> 00:58:00.760
 He's speaking about the segregation.

00:58:01.119 --> 00:58:04.039
 But there's a group of pastors outside who are like, hey, patience.

00:58:05.240 --> 00:58:06.159
 Let's bide our time.

00:58:06.199 --> 00:58:06.639
 Let's wait.

00:58:09.059 --> 00:58:10.179
 And Martin Luther King says this,

00:58:10.240 --> 00:58:13.940
 the silence of the good people is more dangerous than the brutality of the bad people.

00:58:14.679 --> 00:58:18.260
 The silence of the good people is more dangerous than the brutality of the bad people.

00:58:18.260 --> 00:58:20.500
 Now, before I take this out of context,

00:58:20.880 --> 00:58:22.320
 know he's talking about social justice.

00:58:22.420 --> 00:58:25.680
 Know he's talking about things that are happening in America at that time

00:58:25.680 --> 00:58:30.780
 that were just so poisonous, so toxic, so dangerous.

00:58:32.640 --> 00:58:37.280
 But if we were to take that, the principle of that, of don't be silent.

00:58:38.260 --> 00:58:40.020
 And if you think about the ultimate crisis,

00:58:40.160 --> 00:58:42.400
 the ultimate injustice that we as Christians believe,

00:58:42.500 --> 00:58:42.940
 which is what?

00:58:43.120 --> 00:58:46.380
 That we have been separated from our Lord.

00:58:46.380 --> 00:58:52.480
 The biggest injustice is that we no longer are connected to him.

00:58:53.820 --> 00:58:57.000
 And that Jesus came to correct that injustice.

00:58:59.099 --> 00:59:00.619
 If you look at it from that lens,

00:59:01.140 --> 00:59:04.440
 and you see a broken world that surrounds you,

00:59:04.480 --> 00:59:06.820
 as Alex was praying when finishing worship,

00:59:07.220 --> 00:59:07.960
 oh, Julian, sorry.

00:59:08.180 --> 00:59:10.119
 As you see the darkness that surrounds,

00:59:11.160 --> 00:59:13.019
 and you sit there and you are silent.

00:59:13.019 --> 00:59:16.980
 As you see your colleagues and you see your friends and family

00:59:16.980 --> 00:59:19.259
 who are hurting and struggling in so many ways,

00:59:20.179 --> 00:59:21.300
 clinging on to all these idols,

00:59:21.420 --> 00:59:23.559
 can you see the injustice of us being silent?

00:59:24.780 --> 00:59:26.559
 Now, may the Spirit show us how to speak

00:59:26.559 --> 00:59:29.320
 in a gracious, truthful, loving way.

00:59:29.579 --> 00:59:30.759
 But speak, we must.

00:59:31.259 --> 00:59:32.420
 Share, we must.

00:59:32.420 --> 00:59:37.860
 How unjust would it be for us just to sit there and go,

00:59:38.500 --> 00:59:40.440
 yeah, your life sucks.

00:59:41.340 --> 00:59:45.780
 But I have the good news, but I can't share it with you.

00:59:47.019 --> 00:59:48.320
 It's only for those who are chosen.

00:59:49.800 --> 00:59:51.000
 It's only for those who go to church.

00:59:51.059 --> 00:59:52.139
 That's not the gospel.

00:59:53.019 --> 00:59:53.840
 Let us be people

00:59:53.840 --> 00:59:57.300
 who are adamant that we will not be silent.

00:59:57.300 --> 01:00:01.080
 And before you start a revolution

01:00:01.080 --> 01:00:02.740
 and go out and scream and shout,

01:00:04.680 --> 01:00:07.000
 may you, may I, follow the way of Jesus,

01:00:08.560 --> 01:00:10.620
 where he is gentle and lowly in heart,

01:00:11.860 --> 01:00:13.980
 where he invites people in

01:00:13.980 --> 01:00:16.700
 with grace and mercy.

01:00:17.780 --> 01:00:19.180
 And he defeats death.

01:00:19.260 --> 01:00:20.560
 He defeats the biggest enemy

01:00:20.560 --> 01:00:22.880
 by simply opening himself up on the cross.

01:00:25.280 --> 01:00:26.200
 Let us take comfort.

01:00:26.320 --> 01:00:27.120
 Let us take inspiration.

01:00:27.300 --> 01:00:29.220
 Let us follow him as we go.

01:00:30.900 --> 01:00:32.160
 We've ran out of time here,

01:00:32.220 --> 01:00:33.140
 and this is where we stop

01:00:33.140 --> 01:00:34.940
 in the book of Acts for now.

01:00:36.660 --> 01:00:38.140
 But if I may just ask you

01:00:38.140 --> 01:00:40.080
 for another few moments of your time,

01:00:40.760 --> 01:00:42.820
 before we head into this Christmas season properly,

01:00:43.600 --> 01:00:46.000
 is there something the Holy Spirit wants you to say

01:00:46.000 --> 01:00:47.700
 to the people around you?

01:00:48.280 --> 01:00:49.580
 There is no better season

01:00:49.580 --> 01:00:52.820
 than the reason for the season.

01:00:53.700 --> 01:00:54.640
 So bring that up.

01:00:54.639 --> 01:00:57.359
 There is no better reason

01:00:57.359 --> 01:01:00.420
 than to offer yourself up

01:01:00.420 --> 01:01:02.440
 to look after the face painting stall

01:01:02.440 --> 01:01:03.279
 on December 21st

01:01:03.280 --> 01:01:06.640
 and invite your friends and colleagues to come

01:01:06.640 --> 01:01:08.260
 and so they would allow you

01:01:08.260 --> 01:01:09.200
 to paint on their faces.

01:01:09.199 --> 01:01:13.659
 I hope this fills you with courage.

01:01:13.659 --> 01:01:14.819
 I hope this exhorts you,

01:01:14.939 --> 01:01:16.219
 pours courage into your soul

01:01:16.219 --> 01:01:18.659
 that there is a God,

01:01:19.519 --> 01:01:21.799
 Jesus who came to this world,

01:01:21.919 --> 01:01:23.139
 who died and now lives,

01:01:23.460 --> 01:01:24.719
 and his spirit lives inside you.

01:01:24.859 --> 01:01:25.579
 And because of that,

01:01:25.639 --> 01:01:26.539
 you must not be afraid

01:01:26.539 --> 01:01:27.399
 because he is with you.

01:01:27.519 --> 01:01:28.079
 Because of that,

01:01:28.299 --> 01:01:29.319
 you must not be silent.

01:01:30.299 --> 01:01:31.679
 You must share the good news

01:01:31.679 --> 01:01:33.119
 in this season.

01:01:33.839 --> 01:01:34.460
 Let us pray.

01:01:34.460 --> 01:01:47.599
 Holy Spirit,

01:01:47.679 --> 01:01:49.460
 we give you the final few words

01:01:49.460 --> 01:01:51.340
 if there's anything you need to say to us.

01:01:53.000 --> 01:01:53.780
 Would you speak?

01:01:53.860 --> 01:01:54.740
 Your servants are listening.

01:01:55.760 --> 01:01:56.559
 Would you send?

01:01:56.659 --> 01:01:57.079
 We are ready.

01:01:57.079 --> 01:01:57.139
 We are ready.

01:01:57.139 --> 01:01:57.139


01:01:57.139 --> 01:01:59.139
 We are ready.

01:01:59.139 --> 01:02:01.139
 We are ready.

01:02:01.139 --> 01:02:01.139


01:02:01.139 --> 01:02:02.139
 We are ready.

01:02:02.139 --> 01:02:03.139
 We are ready.

01:02:03.139 --> 01:02:04.139
 We are ready.

01:02:04.139 --> 01:02:13.859
 So we give you thanks,

01:02:14.460 --> 01:02:14.679
 Jesus,

01:02:14.819 --> 01:02:16.079
 that you have done the work already,

01:02:17.239 --> 01:02:19.199
 that there is nothing to fear.

01:02:20.719 --> 01:02:22.519
 We do not seek the approval of man.

01:02:23.539 --> 01:02:25.119
 We live for an audience of one.

01:02:26.859 --> 01:02:28.420
 And we take up our cross.

01:02:29.579 --> 01:02:30.799
 We accept our mission

01:02:30.799 --> 01:02:32.179
 that our work is not secular.

01:02:32.179 --> 01:02:35.579
 That our presence in our communities

01:02:35.579 --> 01:02:36.399
 is not an accident.

01:02:39.399 --> 01:02:40.319
 But that there is something

01:02:40.319 --> 01:02:41.099
 that you are doing.

01:02:43.679 --> 01:02:44.619
 Before we even go,

01:02:44.739 --> 01:02:46.379
 we repent of this thought

01:02:46.379 --> 01:02:47.619
 that it is us that will do it.

01:02:48.679 --> 01:02:49.299
 It is not.

01:02:51.399 --> 01:02:52.019
 It is you.

01:02:52.019 --> 01:02:56.840
 But we thank you that we get to come along for the ride.

01:03:00.679 --> 01:03:02.579
 Would you banish any fear of vulnerability,

01:03:03.360 --> 01:03:07.599
 any idol of the world that takes our time and attention?

01:03:11.320 --> 01:03:12.579
 If we're being honest with ourselves,

01:03:12.659 --> 01:03:14.159
 there is nothing more important than you.

01:03:14.159 --> 01:03:21.159
 So as we go from here,

01:03:21.199 --> 01:03:22.739
 would you empower every single person?

01:03:28.899 --> 01:03:31.879
 And as we as a church leave the 14th floor

01:03:31.879 --> 01:03:33.359
 to go to the next,

01:03:33.360 --> 01:03:38.940
 we give you thanks

01:03:38.940 --> 01:03:43.420
 that you would bring people around in this city

01:03:43.420 --> 01:03:46.820
 who have resources,

01:03:47.039 --> 01:03:49.519
 who have connections,

01:03:49.740 --> 01:03:50.500
 who have abilities,

01:03:51.079 --> 01:03:51.840
 but most of all,

01:03:51.900 --> 01:03:53.780
 who have a passion and love for your name.

01:03:53.840 --> 01:03:55.000
 We do not take that for granted.

01:03:55.360 --> 01:03:56.180
 We are not afraid

01:03:56.180 --> 01:03:58.120
 because you've placed people in this city

01:03:58.120 --> 01:03:58.720
 who love you,

01:03:58.980 --> 01:04:00.800
 who are serving together with us

01:04:00.800 --> 01:04:02.000
 through all the different ways.

01:04:02.000 --> 01:04:04.380
 We give you thanks for those people.

01:04:05.039 --> 01:04:06.039
 They fill us with courage.

01:04:06.920 --> 01:04:07.860
 And so it is with courage

01:04:07.860 --> 01:04:10.079
 that we go down to the fifth floor

01:04:10.079 --> 01:04:11.360
 to take our next step

01:04:11.360 --> 01:04:12.800
 in our pursuit of you,

01:04:13.500 --> 01:04:14.219
 knowing full well

01:04:14.219 --> 01:04:16.019
 that you are the one who are pursuing us.

01:04:19.000 --> 01:04:19.400
 Surely,

01:04:19.880 --> 01:04:22.119
 surely your goodness and mercy

01:04:22.119 --> 01:04:23.940
 will follow us all the days of our lives.

01:04:25.099 --> 01:04:27.039
 And if this gathering is pleasing to you,

01:04:29.739 --> 01:04:30.820
 would you continue

01:04:30.820 --> 01:04:32.400
 to lead us?

01:04:36.920 --> 01:04:37.740
 We thank you, Lord.

01:04:41.559 --> 01:04:42.220
 We thank you.

01:04:44.180 --> 01:04:45.260
 In your name we pray.

01:04:45.260 --> 01:04:47.000
 Amen.