WEBVTT

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 Turn with me in your Bibles to Acts 28.

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 If you're looking in a pew Bible, that is page 937.

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 This morning we are concluding our eight-month-long series in the book of Acts

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 and reading the last half of the last chapter.

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 So let's read that together.

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 Acts 28, starting at verse 17.

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 After three days, he, Paul, called together the local leaders of the Jews.

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 And when they had gathered, he said to them,

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 Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers,

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 yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

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 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty

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 because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

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

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 though I had no charge to bring against my nation.

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 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you

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 since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.

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 And they said to him,

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 We have received no letters from Judea about you,

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 and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.

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 But we desire to hear from you what your views are.

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 For with regard to this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.

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 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers.

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 From morning till evening, he expounded to them,

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 testifying to the kingdom of God,

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 and trying to convince them about Jesus,

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 both from the law of Moses and from the prophets.

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 And some were convinced by what he said,

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 but others disbelieved.

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 And disagreeing among themselves,

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 they departed after Paul had made one statement.

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 The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet,

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 Go to this people and say,

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 You will indeed hear, but never understand.

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 And you will indeed see, but never perceive.

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 For this people's heart has grown dull,

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 and with their ears they can barely hear,

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 and their eyes they have closed,

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 lest they should see with their eyes,

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 and hear with their ears,

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 and understand with their heart,

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 and turn, and I would heal them.

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 Therefore let it be known to you

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 that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles.

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 They will listen.

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 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,

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 and welcomed all who came to him,

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 proclaiming the kingdom of God,

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 and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 with all boldness,

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 and without hindrance.

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 Well, the book of Acts ends

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 with the apostle Paul confined

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 under house arrest in Rome.

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 Rome was the largest city

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 in the ancient world,

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 populated by over one million people.

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 The city was full of three- to five-story apartment buildings,

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 crammed against each other,

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 surrounded by busy streets on all sides,

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 perhaps with a small interior courtyard within.

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 Most people rented small cubicles,

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 or simple two-room apartments,

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 with no running water,

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 little climate control,

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 and no soundproofing.

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 Rental prices were exorbitant,

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 four times higher than elsewhere in Italy,

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 but the apartments were notoriously badly maintained.

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 This is where Paul found himself,

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 stuck.

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 For two whole years,

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 awaiting trial,

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 verse 16 says,

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 Paul was allowed to stay by himself

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 with the soldier who guarded him.

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 He was literally chained to a guard.

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 The guard would rotate every four hours.

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 He was confined to his simple apartment,

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 and perhaps the hallways

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 and adjoining courtyard of his building.

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 He could receive visitors,

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 but he was restricted

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 from moving about freely.

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 Now, some of you

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 may be able to identify with Paul,

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 understand what he was feeling.

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 Perhaps you've visited people in prison,

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 or even spent time in prison,

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 or facing charges,

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 whether rightly or wrongly.

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 Maybe you know what that feels like.

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 But even if you've never been confined

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 for legal reasons,

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 I wonder if you felt stuck,

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 or isolated,

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 or confined.

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 Maybe you feel financially stuck.

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 You're in debt.

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 Or you don't have enough money

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 to get what you want.

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 Maybe you feel relationally isolated.

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 Perhaps you feel stuck in your house,

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 raising your kids.

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 You feel like you have few opportunities

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 for intellectual engagement,

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 an adult company.

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 Maybe you feel confined in a marriage

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 that isn't what you hoped

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 or expected it would be.

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 Maybe you feel geographically constrained.

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 Maybe you're here in New Haven

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 for one reason,

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 because your spouse is here,

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 and you would never choose

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 to live here yourself.

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 Or you're here because you're homeless.

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 You literally have nowhere else

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 but the shelter to stay.

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 Maybe you look around

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 at all the people from Yale,

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 and you think,

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 what am I here for?

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 I have no value in this city.

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 Or maybe you are at Yale.

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 Maybe you feel swamped

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 by five extracurricular organizations

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 recruiting you to join them.

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 Freshmen just wait for the bazaar this afternoon.

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 Or by massive amounts of reading

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 expected by your professors,

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 or by the demands of your lab

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 and the pressure to publish.

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 Maybe you feel vocationally confined.

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 Maybe you're unemployed.

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 All the doors seem to be closing on you.

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 Or maybe you have a job,

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 but it feels toilsome

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 and futile and draining.

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 What we see here

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 at the conclusion to the book of Acts

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 is the Apostle Paul confined and chained.

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 He's been a captive in Roman custody

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 for four and a half years.

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 Two years in Caesarea,

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 six months on the way to Rome,

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 two more years in Rome.

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 He stood trial

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 before the Jewish ruling council

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 in Jerusalem,

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 before Governor Felix

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 and Governor Festus

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 and King Agrippa in Caesarea.

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 And at the end of the book,

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 he's still awaiting a verdict.

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 But despite his prolonged confinement,

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 the Apostle Paul was not just surviving,

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 he was thriving.

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 He was proclaiming the kingdom of God

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 and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ

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 with all boldness

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 and without hindrance.

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 That word boldness

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 can also be translated joyful freedom.

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 It's a word that means openness,

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 courage,

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 straightforwardness,

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 fearlessness,

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 clear,

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 candid,

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 confident speech

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 without hindrance,

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 without being prevented

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 or restrained,

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 without giving up

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 or holding anything back.

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 Well, this morning,

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 I want us to see how

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 even when we feel

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 most stuck

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 and isolated

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 and confined

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 that we can not only survive

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 but thrive.

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 that by the power

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 of the Holy Spirit,

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 we can speak

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 of the risen Lord Jesus

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 with all boldness

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 and without hindrance.

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 This morning,

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 I want to look at two things

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 that Paul was convinced of.

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 Two things

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 that made him bold

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 and unhindered,

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 joyfully free

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 to not hold anything back

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 despite his physical captivity.

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 First of all,

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 Paul was convinced

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 of God's faithfulness

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 in fulfilling his promises

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 to the people of Israel.

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 Now, I would imagine

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 that if you feel stuck

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 or confined

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 or isolated

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 that probably most of us

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 don't immediately think about

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 God's promises long ago

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 to the people of Israel.

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 But this is actually

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 a crucial point.

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 Let me explain.

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 The reason why

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 Luke wrote

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 both the Gospel of Luke

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 and the Book of Acts

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 was to introduce Gentiles

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 in the Roman Empire

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 to a faith rooted in

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 the land,

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 the people,

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 and the scriptures

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 of Israel.

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 If you look at

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 the first few verses

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 of Luke and Acts,

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 Luke addresses a man

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 named Theophilus.

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 He calls him

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 Most Excellent Theophilus.

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 Luke chapter 1, verse 3.

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 Which may indicate

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 that Theophilus

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 was a high-ranking

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 Roman official.

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 Because Luke uses

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 that same term

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 to refer to

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 Governor Felix

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 and Governor Festus

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 in Acts 24 and 26.

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 But whoever Theophilus was,

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 the recipient of these books,

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 he seems to have been

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 a recent convert

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 to Christianity,

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 a new believer

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 who had some questions,

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 some uncertainties.

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 Luke says,

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 at the beginning

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 of his Gospel,

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 I'm writing these things

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 to you

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 in order to assure you

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 of the certainty,

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 of the trustworthiness,

00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:55.139
 of the things

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 that you have been taught.

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 Now perhaps you,

00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:00.000
 like Theophilus,

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 are new to Christianity.

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 Maybe you're new to church.

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 Perhaps you have

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 questions or doubts.

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 One of the ways

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 Luke goes about

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 reassuring Theophilus

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 of the trustworthiness

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 of the Christian faith

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 is by showing

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 that in Jesus,

00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:16.980
 God has fulfilled

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 his ancient promises

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 to the people of Israel.

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 You see,

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 long ago,

00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:22.580
 God promised Abraham

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 that his descendants

00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:25.000
 would grow into

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 a great nation

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 and that through

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 his offspring,

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 all the peoples

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 of the earth

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 would receive

00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.279
 God's blessing.

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 Now if you read

00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.379
 the Old Testament

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 at various times

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 throughout Israel's history,

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 it seems like

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 God's plan

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 and God's promise

00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:42.819
 were hanging by a thread

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 and nearly tanked.

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 Right?

00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:47.860
 At one point,

00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:48.679
 the people of Israel

00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:50.120
 are living in Egypt

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 and they're gradually

00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:52.000
 enslaved.

00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:53.259
 They're living

00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.120
 under the tyranny

00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:54.879
 of Pharaoh

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 who wants to

00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:56.539
 annihilate them.

00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:58.620
 They were despairing

00:09:58.620 --> 00:09:59.840
 and embittered

00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.539
 but God was faithful.

00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.019
 He raised up

00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:03.799
 Moses and Aaron

00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:05.179
 to set his people free.

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 Well,

00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:07.139
 once they escaped

00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:08.159
 from slavery in Egypt,

00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.600
 they wandered

00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:10.179
 in the desert

00:10:10.179 --> 00:10:11.559
 for 40 years

00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:12.819
 and sometimes

00:10:12.819 --> 00:10:13.639
 God himself

00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:15.080
 became so angry

00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.960
 at their complaining

00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:17.500
 and disputing

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 and faithlessness

00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:19.259
 and rebellion

00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:19.860
 against him

00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:20.419
 that he nearly

00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:21.159
 wiped them out.

00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:22.840
 But God raised up

00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.180
 Moses

00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:25.180
 to stand in the gap

00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:26.399
 and intercede

00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:26.740
 for them.

00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:27.639
 God was faithful

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.280
 to preserve them

00:10:29.280 --> 00:10:29.940
 through the desert.

00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:31.280
 Later on,

00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:31.600
 they entered

00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:32.480
 the promised land

00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:34.100
 but then they were

00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.580
 divided

00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:36.879
 by internal rivalries

00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:38.019
 and threatened

00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:39.040
 by enemies

00:10:39.040 --> 00:10:39.920
 who were more powerful

00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:40.420
 than they

00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.480
 but God was faithful

00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.480
 once again.

00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:44.340
 He sent his Holy Spirit

00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:45.480
 on a man named David

00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:47.480
 and to save David

00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.720
 through mocking

00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.960
 and suffering

00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:50.700
 and rejection

00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.500
 and exile

00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.500
 and death threats.

00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:54.460
 And after David's suffering,

00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:55.960
 God raised David

00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:56.820
 up to glory

00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:58.520
 as the king

00:10:58.520 --> 00:10:59.120
 who unified

00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.160
 the people of Israel

00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:01.580
 and defeated

00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.140
 their enemies.

00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:04.580
 But then after David,

00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:05.820
 it all went downhill again.

00:11:06.640 --> 00:11:07.460
 The kingdom divided.

00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.400
 The nation of Israel,

00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.520
 instead of becoming

00:11:09.520 --> 00:11:10.879
 a light to the world,

00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:11.540
 they became

00:11:11.540 --> 00:11:13.420
 often just as corrupt

00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:14.040
 and immoral

00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:14.840
 and idolatrous

00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.720
 as everyone else.

00:11:16.920 --> 00:11:17.460
 Over and over,

00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:18.360
 God sent the prophets

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.200
 to call them back

00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.220
 but they refused

00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:20.800
 to listen.

00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.560
 When God called Isaiah

00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:24.240
 to be a prophet,

00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:24.659
 he said,

00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:26.820
 go and tell this people

00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.440
 they will hear

00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.360
 and not understand.

00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:29.600
 They will see

00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.259
 but not perceive

00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.159
 because their hearts

00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:32.659
 have grown dull,

00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:34.180
 their ears heavy,

00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:35.159
 their eyes blind

00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:35.860
 and so the cities

00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.820
 will lie waste

00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:38.680
 without inhabitants,

00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.980
 houses without people.

00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:40.639
 The land will be

00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.580
 a desolate waste.

00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.620
 And in 587 BC,

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.740
 that's exactly what happened.

00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.940
 Jerusalem was destroyed,

00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.899
 the people were carried

00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:50.659
 into exile.

00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.600
 It seemed like

00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.259
 it was all over.

00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.539
 But once again,

00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.379
 God was faithful.

00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.340
 He preserved a remnant

00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:00.200
 through the exile

00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:01.840
 and he brought them

00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:02.840
 back home once again.

00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.519
 Over and over

00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:04.080
 through the history

00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:04.480
 of Israel,

00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.480
 we see this pattern

00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:07.720
 that despite the people's

00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:08.899
 rejection

00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.980
 and unfaithfulness

00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:11.019
 that God was faithful

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.159
 to his word

00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.399
 and he was faithful

00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.399
 to his people.

00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.700
 And in the gospel

00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.279
 of Luke,

00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.139
 what Luke shows us

00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:19.819
 is that in the coming

00:12:19.819 --> 00:12:20.299
 of Jesus,

00:12:20.459 --> 00:12:21.439
 God was faithful

00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:22.740
 to his promises

00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.459
 to Israel

00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:25.220
 by sending Jesus

00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:25.819
 into the world

00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:27.000
 to be the promised Messiah.

00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:28.919
 If you read

00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.939
 in Luke chapter 1,

00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:31.379
 Mary,

00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:32.159
 the mother of Jesus,

00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:32.799
 proclaims,

00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.639
 God has helped

00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.740
 his servant Israel

00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.159
 in remembrance

00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:36.860
 of his mercy

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.179
 as he spoke

00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.879
 to our fathers,

00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:39.439
 to Abraham

00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:40.899
 and his offspring.

00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.860
 And then Zechariah

00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.959
 says a similar thing,

00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:44.819
 blessed be the Lord,

00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:45.500
 the God of Israel,

00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.100
 he's visited

00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:46.680
 and redeemed

00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:47.240
 his people.

00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:49.300
 He's raised up

00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.360
 salvation for us

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.639
 in the house of David

00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.879
 as he spoke

00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.779
 through his holy prophets

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.360
 from of old.

00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:56.820
 God's faithful

00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:57.500
 to his promises

00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.560
 and as Luke unfolds

00:12:58.560 --> 00:12:59.440
 the life of Jesus,

00:13:00.040 --> 00:13:00.800
 the way Luke tells

00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:01.300
 the story,

00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.680
 he shows us

00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.960
 that Jesus relived

00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.600
 the story of Israel.

00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:08.279
 Jesus spent 40 days

00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.399
 in the wilderness

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.980
 where the people

00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.340
 of Israel

00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:12.460
 had spent 40 years

00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.160
 and rebelled

00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:13.920
 against God

00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:15.339
 and Jesus faced

00:13:15.339 --> 00:13:16.240
 the greatest temptation

00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.659
 of all,

00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:17.559
 Satan himself

00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:19.699
 and he stood firm

00:13:19.699 --> 00:13:20.439
 and he held on

00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.219
 to God's word

00:13:21.219 --> 00:13:23.139
 and then Jesus

00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:24.120
 went up to Jerusalem,

00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.099
 the city where David

00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:27.419
 had reigned as king

00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.879
 and many people

00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.419
 hailed him

00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:29.959
 as the king

00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:30.479
 who comes

00:13:30.479 --> 00:13:30.879
 in the name

00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.559
 of the Lord.

00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.099
 But Jesus reminded

00:13:34.099 --> 00:13:34.659
 his disciples

00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.399
 over and over

00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:37.240
 that his kingdom

00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.799
 would not be defined

00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:40.000
 by military force

00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.559
 but by service

00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.440
 and love.

00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.440
 And finally,

00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.840
 Jesus relived

00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:47.440
 Israel's greatest tragedy

00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:47.899
 of all,

00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.600
 the exile.

00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.120
 In his death

00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.779
 on a cross,

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.240
 he was condemned,

00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.399
 rejected,

00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.580
 mocked,

00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.820
 and laid waste

00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.600
 and buried

00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.120
 in a tomb.

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.600
 Once again,

00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.159
 it seemed like

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.820
 it was all over.

00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:04.799
 But once again,

00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.899
 in the most glorious way,

00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.740
 God was faithful

00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.180
 just as God

00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:09.139
 had sustained David

00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:10.480
 through his suffering

00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.919
 and later raised him

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.620
 up to glory.

00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:14.340
 God sustained Jesus

00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.240
 through his suffering

00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.799
 and death

00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.460
 and raised him up

00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:16.919
 to glory

00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.759
 through his resurrection

00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:19.139
 and not only that,

00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.120
 he exalted Jesus

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.580
 as the promised Messiah

00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.139
 of Israel

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.139
 and the rightful Lord

00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.100
 of all creation.

00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.200
 The child of Abraham

00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.440
 through whom all

00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.519
 the nations of the world

00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.980
 would receive God's salvation

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.899
 and God's blessing.

00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.500
 That's what Luke

00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.399
 wants us to know.

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:35.940
 And you might ask,

00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.659
 what does this have to do

00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.559
 with the apostle Paul

00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:39.659
 confined in his house

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.039
 in Rome

00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.519
 and what does that

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.539
 have to do with us today?

00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.339
 Well, look at what Paul did

00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:44.240
 in verse 17

00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.480
 when he finally got to Rome.

00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.779
 After three days,

00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:50.719
 doesn't waste any time,

00:14:51.219 --> 00:14:51.959
 he called together

00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:52.699
 the local leaders

00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.379
 of the Jews.

00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:55.919
 He intentionally engaged

00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:57.240
 the Jewish leaders

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.279
 in Rome

00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.799
 as he had done

00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.419
 in every city

00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:00.000
 that he visited

00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.740
 because Paul was

00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.519
 deeply convinced

00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:04.039
 of God's faithfulness

00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.419
 to his promises

00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.100
 to Israel.

00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.920
 Paul said in verse 20,

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.980
 it's because of the hope

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.960
 of Israel

00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:11.180
 that I'm wearing

00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:11.740
 this chain.

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.820
 Paul was absolutely

00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:15.300
 convinced

00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:16.300
 of God's faithfulness

00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:16.700
 to Israel

00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:17.759
 and so on the one hand,

00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.259
 Paul gladly identified

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.620
 with his people.

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.759
 Look at verse 17.

00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.320
 He talks about our people,

00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.500
 the customs of our fathers.

00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.220
 Verse 19,

00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:28.600
 he said,

00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:29.940
 I had no charge

00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:30.480
 to bring

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.100
 against my nation.

00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.940
 Now,

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.680
 Paul had been

00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.980
 beaten up

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.700
 by a Jewish mob

00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:38.259
 in Jerusalem,

00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:39.399
 nearly killed,

00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.120
 falsely accused

00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:42.379
 of a capital offense

00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.040
 by some Jews

00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:43.659
 from Asia

00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:45.360
 who then no-showed

00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:45.899
 in court

00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:47.740
 during the trial.

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:51.000
 Paul probably could

00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.139
 have launched

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.259
 a countersuit

00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.700
 against them

00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.980
 for malicious prosecution.

00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:57.519
 He probably had

00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.519
 some evidence,

00:15:59.120 --> 00:15:59.700
 but he says,

00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.360
 I have no charge

00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.740
 to bring.

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:04.960
 Even though

00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.320
 he had been

00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.120
 badly treated

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.640
 by many Jews

00:16:07.640 --> 00:16:08.700
 in many different places,

00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.560
 Paul calls together

00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.259
 the Jews in Rome

00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:10.560
 and he says,

00:16:10.640 --> 00:16:11.379
 I want you to know

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.740
 I have nothing

00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.620
 against you.

00:16:14.140 --> 00:16:15.080
 I have nothing

00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:16.080
 against our people.

00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.200
 I want to speak

00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.600
 with you.

00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:20.540
 I mean,

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:21.379
 isn't that how

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.180
 many people

00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:23.259
 become prejudiced

00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.420
 against one group

00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:24.740
 of people

00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.259
 or another?

00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.759
 They have bad experiences

00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.660
 with some people

00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:28.680
 in a particular group

00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.539
 and then they see

00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.519
 everyone in that group

00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.459
 through that lens.

00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.319
 But Paul did not

00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:33.819
 do that.

00:16:35.599 --> 00:16:35.819
 You see,

00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.399
 the Christianity

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.620
 that Paul preached

00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:39.199
 and Luke wrote about

00:16:39.199 --> 00:16:40.859
 is not anti-Jewish

00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:42.399
 or anti-Semitic.

00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.219
 In one sense,

00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.039
 Christianity is not

00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.899
 a new religion

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.879
 that began

00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.859
 2,000 years ago.

00:16:48.959 --> 00:16:49.739
 It's an outgrowth

00:16:49.739 --> 00:16:51.179
 of God's covenant

00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.759
 with Abraham,

00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.219
 Isaac,

00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.719
 and Jacob

00:16:52.719 --> 00:16:53.179
 that started

00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.139
 long before that.

00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.479
 The Apostle Paul

00:16:56.479 --> 00:16:57.419
 would have been horrified

00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.779
 at the history

00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.819
 of Christian

00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.639
 anti-Semitism

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.639
 over the last

00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.519
 2,000 years.

00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:04.659
 Not only people

00:17:04.659 --> 00:17:05.180
 like Hitler

00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:07.259
 who twisted the cross

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.440
 into a swastika

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.879
 and certainly

00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:10.960
 was not a true Christian,

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.559
 but even great

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.259
 Christian leaders

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:15.079
 like John Chrysostom

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.799
 and Martin Luther

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.980
 expressed deep hostility

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.579
 toward Jews

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.159
 as a people

00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:20.720
 on several occasions.

00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:22.519
 And then think

00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.200
 of all the ordinary

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.079
 German Christians

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.480
 during the Holocaust,

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:27.079
 some of whom

00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:27.960
 acted heroically,

00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.500
 but many of whom

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.220
 remained silent.

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.579
 There's an ugly history

00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:34.059
 of Christians

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.720
 being violent

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.380
 at worst

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.660
 and passive

00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.240
 at best

00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.220
 toward Jews

00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.700
 as a people.

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.940
 We should recognize it

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.259
 and pray that God

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:43.240
 will cleanse our hearts

00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:43.700
 and give us

00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.799
 the burning love

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.759
 that Paul had

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.039
 for his own people

00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.980
 even when he had been

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.160
 badly mistreated

00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.200
 by some of them.

00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.700
 Paul gladly identified

00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.960
 with the people

00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.500
 of Israel.

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.160
 But at the same time,

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.519
 Paul courageously testified

00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.980
 to his fellow Jews

00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.860
 about Jesus,

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.620
 their Messiah

00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.920
 who called

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.240
 for their allegiance.

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.180
 Verse 23,

00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.819
 he tried to convince them

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.900
 about Jesus,

00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.039
 both from the law

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.460
 of Moses

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.940
 and from the prophets.

00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:13.500
 In verse 25 to 27,

00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.380
 he issued a warning

00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.240
 and challenge

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.440
 in the words

00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:16.920
 that Isaiah

00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:18.059
 had spoken long ago.

00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.660
 Paul did not believe

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:22.460
 that God has one covenant

00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.200
 for Jews

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.559
 and another covenant

00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.480
 for Gentiles

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:27.120
 and therefore Christians

00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:28.579
 who were assumed

00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.519
 to be Gentiles

00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.640
 should not seek

00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.340
 to persuade Jews

00:18:31.340 --> 00:18:31.960
 to become believers

00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.420
 in Jesus.

00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.660
 Paul did not believe that.

00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.279
 Paul himself

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.319
 was a Jewish believer

00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:38.039
 in Jesus the Messiah

00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.160
 and he wanted

00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.180
 every one of his Jewish

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.319
 brothers in the flesh

00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:43.140
 to become his brothers

00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.420
 in the Messiah as well

00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.660
 and some did.

00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.259
 Verse 24,

00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.840
 some were convinced.

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:52.279
 Now what does this look like

00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.279
 practically for us?

00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.000
 To believe

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.379
 in God's faithfulness

00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:58.000
 to his promises

00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.639
 to Israel

00:18:58.639 --> 00:19:00.740
 fulfilled in Jesus.

00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:02.439
 Well for some of us

00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:04.139
 I think the first step

00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.859
 would be to become familiar

00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.839
 with the first half

00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.459
 of our Bible.

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.240
 It's called

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.939
 the Old Testament.

00:19:09.959 --> 00:19:11.259
 Paul reasoned about Jesus

00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.159
 from the Old Testament.

00:19:12.459 --> 00:19:12.899
 Many of us

00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.579
 don't have a clue

00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.659
 what half of the Old Testament

00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.339
 is all about.

00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.159
 Where do you start?

00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:17.759
 First,

00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.180
 read through the Old Testament

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.600
 in large chunks

00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:23.800
 so you get the big picture.

00:19:24.560 --> 00:19:25.040
 Lots of people

00:19:25.040 --> 00:19:25.800
 get bogged down

00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:26.519
 in the details.

00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.680
 Focus on the big story.

00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:30.380
 Listen to it

00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:30.980
 while you're driving

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.560
 in the car.

00:19:32.300 --> 00:19:33.460
 Or if you're strapped

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.000
 for time,

00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.160
 read the first

00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.980
 and last chapter

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.600
 of each book

00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.480
 and skim the rest.

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.240
 It works sometimes.

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.380
 It doesn't work

00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:40.920
 in Leviticus,

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.540
 just a warning.

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.900
 It works mostly

00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.880
 in the narrative books.

00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:47.680
 If you want

00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.420
 a study guide

00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.180
 to help you get

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.760
 the big picture,

00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.560
 there's a great one

00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:51.840
 called Full of Promise.

00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.600
 It's not a long book.

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:55.280
 It's a study guide

00:19:55.280 --> 00:19:55.960
 that will help you

00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.860
 see the big picture

00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.480
 of the Old Testament.

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.860
 I'll give you one for free

00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.420
 if you want it,

00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.100
 if you'll use it.

00:20:00.540 --> 00:20:01.820
 Or come to the evening service

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.420
 this fall.

00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:04.000
 We're preaching through

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.060
 the book of 2 Samuel.

00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:07.380
 Focus on the life of David,

00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:09.020
 one of the central characters

00:20:09.020 --> 00:20:10.700
 in the Old Testament.

00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.260
 That's a great way

00:20:12.260 --> 00:20:13.960
 to dig into the Old Testament

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.180
 or join a study group

00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.620
 that's focused on

00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.360
 reading through

00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:18.400
 an Old Testament book.

00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.440
 So first,

00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.220
 let's get to know

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.799
 the Law and the Prophets,

00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.840
 the Hebrew Scriptures.

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.180
 For some of us,

00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.640
 the first step

00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.460
 might be initiating

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.019
 relationship

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.480
 with your Jewish neighbors.

00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.539
 If you're a Yale student,

00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.740
 go eat at Slifka.

00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.980
 The food's great.

00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:36.340
 Or visit one of the Jewish services

00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:37.920
 over the High Holy Days

00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.700
 later this month.

00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.620
 Learn from the wisdom

00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.579
 that God has given

00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.960
 to the Jewish community

00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.840
 over the centuries.

00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.259
 If you have Jewish neighbors

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.880
 or coworkers,

00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.100
 ask good questions.

00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.519
 Like,

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.100
 tell me more about Yom Kippur,

00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.779
 the Day of Atonement.

00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.579
 What does that mean to you?

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.140
 In Leviticus 16,

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.460
 it says,

00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.440
 on one day of the year,

00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.779
 atonement shall be made

00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.519
 to cleanse the people

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.960
 from all their sins.

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.940
 But before you ask

00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.640
 your Jewish friend

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.180
 what they think

00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.039
 about Yom Kippur,

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.600
 reflect on

00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:09.240
 what the Apostle John says

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.059
 in the New Testament.

00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:12.500
 the blood of Jesus Christ

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.940
 cleanses us

00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.599
 from all sin.

00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.240
 That Jesus is

00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.319
 that ultimate

00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:21.099
 cleansing sacrifice.

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.399
 He has actually provided

00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:23.460
 that cleansing sacrifice

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.179
 that deep down

00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:24.839
 we all know

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.779
 we really need

00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.359
 in order to draw near

00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.839
 to God

00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:29.579
 and be made right

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.059
 with God.

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:31.980
 See,

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.740
 as we listen well

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.519
 to God's word

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.379
 in the Old Testament,

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.740
 as we listen well

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.740
 to our Jewish neighbors,

00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.200
 we'll be able to testify

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.279
 as Paul did,

00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:41.220
 courageously and freely,

00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:43.180
 about Jesus the Messiah,

00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.460
 the fulfillment

00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.299
 of God's promises

00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.900
 to Israel.

00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.620
 So that's the first thing

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:49.160
 that Paul was convinced of.

00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.420
 God's faithfulness

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.039
 to his promises

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.539
 to Israel.

00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.720
 But the second thing

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.900
 that he was convinced of

00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:55.580
 was God's purpose

00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:57.600
 to bring his salvation

00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:59.360
 to the nations.

00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:00.880
 Verse 28,

00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.980
 therefore let it be known

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.539
 to you

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.680
 that this salvation

00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.340
 of God

00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:06.740
 has been sent

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.000
 to the Gentiles.

00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.640
 They will listen.

00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.980
 And we've seen this theme

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.440
 throughout the book of Acts.

00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:16.319
 In Jesus the Messiah,

00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.980
 God has not only fulfilled

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.779
 his ancient promises

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.259
 to Israel,

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.079
 he's carried forth

00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:21.099
 his eternal purpose

00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:22.460
 to bring salvation

00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.680
 to the world,

00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.120
 to the ends of the earth.

00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.819
 And this isn't just

00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:27.140
 a New Testament innovation.

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.859
 The prophet Isaiah said

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.319
 to Israel,

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.299
 I will make you a light

00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.079
 for the nations

00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.460
 that my salvation

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.400
 may reach the end

00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:34.000
 of the earth.

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.799
 That was God's promise

00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.240
 to Abraham in the first place.

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.639
 You see,

00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.220
 this is why

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.899
 in writing a book

00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:41.419
 for Gentile Christians

00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.799
 in the Roman Empire

00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.899
 like Theophilus,

00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.500
 Luke cared so much

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.119
 to establish

00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.319
 how God had been faithful

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.960
 to his promises

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.659
 to Israel.

00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:49.919
 I mean,

00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:52.159
 if you're a Gentile Christian

00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:53.220
 living now,

00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.500
 why does it matter

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.879
 if you know

00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.539
 how God fulfilled

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.619
 his promises to Israel?

00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:57.839
 Well,

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.339
 one of the answers is

00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.919
 because in Jesus Christ,

00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.119
 God has now made promises

00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:02.859
 to you,

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.440
 too.

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.660
 And you need to know

00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.440
 how God was faithful

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.059
 to his promises

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.019
 in the past

00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.600
 so that you'll be confident

00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.620
 that he will likewise

00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.440
 fulfill his promises

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.759
 to you in your life,

00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.759
 just like he did to them,

00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.100
 even when it seems

00:23:16.100 --> 00:23:17.240
 like all is lost,

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.580
 even when you've

00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:19.799
 seriously messed up,

00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.500
 even when you're depressed

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.700
 and can't see the light,

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.240
 even when you feel stuck

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.039
 and confined

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.880
 and isolated.

00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.920
 God is faithful

00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.259
 to his promises,

00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:30.559
 just like he always

00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.420
 has been.

00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:33.820
 Luke wanted Theophilus

00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:35.240
 and all his readers

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.220
 to know that the gospel

00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.320
 of Jesus is not just

00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:39.800
 some fringe Jewish sect.

00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.440
 It's not just for one

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.180
 kind of people

00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.880
 in one part of the world.

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.880
 It's for all kinds

00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.779
 of people everywhere.

00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.480
 And this is why

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.200
 in the book of Acts,

00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:48.980
 Luke has taken us

00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.940
 on a long journey

00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.600
 from Jerusalem,

00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:52.460
 the focal point

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.240
 of God's promises

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.920
 to Israel,

00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:55.160
 all the way to Rome,

00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.900
 the largest city

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.519
 in the world,

00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.100
 the capital

00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:59.240
 of the pagan empire,

00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.599
 with many twists

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.120
 and turns

00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.440
 along the way.

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.640
 You know,

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.460
 if you've been journeying

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.039
 with us

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.819
 through the book of Acts

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.759
 or if you've read through it,

00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.940
 consider the variety

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.839
 of different people

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:11.480
 that the gospel of Jesus

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.240
 has touched

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.400
 and transformed

00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.640
 along the way

00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.819
 from Jerusalem to Rome.

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.539
 Educated Jewish scholars

00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.440
 like Paul

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:21.039
 who went from being

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.319
 a zealous enforcer

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.880
 of the law

00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.640
 to a joyful

00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.880
 proclaimer of grace.

00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:28.480
 High-ranking Roman centurions,

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.680
 soldiers like Cornelius

00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.779
 whose prayers

00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.500
 were answered

00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.860
 and on whom

00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.980
 the Holy Spirit fell.

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:38.039
 Lonely African dignitaries

00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:39.400
 like the Ethiopian eunuch

00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.980
 who found in Jesus

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.539
 a treasure

00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.700
 better than sons

00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.240
 and daughters,

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.940
 better than traveling

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.559
 the world.

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.099
 Intellectual Athenian leaders

00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.680
 like Dionysius

00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.420
 and Damaris

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.779
 who joined Paul

00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.579
 and believed

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:54.579
 even when others mocked.

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.559
 Well-to-do businesswomen

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.160
 like Lydia

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.220
 whose heart

00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.259
 was open to God

00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.580
 and who opened

00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.660
 her home to the church.

00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.860
 But it wasn't just

00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.480
 well-to-do

00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.460
 high-ranking

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.680
 intellectual types.

00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.620
 It was also

00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.660
 disabled men

00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.980
 like Aeneas

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.500
 who was set free

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.240
 from inhibitions

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.140
 and restored

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.660
 to a life

00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.840
 of meaningful activity.

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.920
 Devout women

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:18.080
 like Tabitha

00:25:18.080 --> 00:25:19.420
 who spent her time

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.120
 and resources

00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:22.220
 clothing vulnerable widows

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.900
 with honor

00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.800
 and dignity.

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.360
 Sleepy teenagers

00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.859
 like Eutychus

00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:28.319
 who became living examples

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.439
 of the life-giving power

00:25:29.439 --> 00:25:29.859
 of Jesus.

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.779
 He fell out the window

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.399
 died

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.979
 and was raised to life

00:25:32.979 --> 00:25:33.719
 all in the middle

00:25:33.719 --> 00:25:34.559
 of Paul's sermon.

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.479
 And a hardened

00:25:37.479 --> 00:25:38.599
 Philippian jailer

00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.919
 who nearly killed

00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.779
 himself in terror

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.359
 and that same night

00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.500
 found joy

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.459
 and salvation

00:25:44.459 --> 00:25:45.479
 through faith in Jesus

00:25:45.479 --> 00:25:46.459
 along with his entire

00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.000
 household.

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.799
 Luke wants us to see

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.679
 the gospel of Jesus

00:25:49.679 --> 00:25:50.479
 is for men

00:25:50.479 --> 00:25:51.299
 and women

00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.719
 for rich

00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.539
 and poor

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.220
 for Jew

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.039
 and Gentile

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.980
 for world leaders

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.200
 and ordinary folks

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.200
 for prisoners

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.180
 and jailers

00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.079
 for able-bodied

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.920
 and handicapped.

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.980
 It's for all kinds

00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.859
 of people everywhere.

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.099
 It's for you.

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.299
 The book of Acts

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.180
 is not a biography

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:10.180
 of early church leaders.

00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:10.740
 It's not written

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:12.119
 to glorify the exploits

00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:13.059
 of Peter and Paul

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:14.399
 or compare them

00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.039
 to one another.

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.920
 Interestingly,

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.059
 Paul's story

00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.379
 is left unfinished.

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.200
 For four and a half years

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.379
 for the last eight chapters

00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:23.600
 he's been awaiting trial.

00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:26.240
 Standing trial five times

00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.280
 and then it gets continued

00:26:27.280 --> 00:26:28.380
 and passed on

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.220
 to another court.

00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.660
 On the boat to Rome

00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.480
 an angel of the Lord

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.180
 assured Paul

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.780
 he would certainly

00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:33.800
 stand before Caesar

00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:35.240
 and then he gets to Rome

00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.620
 and the story ends.

00:26:37.780 --> 00:26:39.060
 No trial before Caesar.

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.960
 No final verdict.

00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.260
 We're left wondering

00:26:42.260 --> 00:26:44.220
 would he be vindicated

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:46.200
 or would he be martyred?

00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.060
 If you want to know

00:26:48.060 --> 00:26:48.800
 what happened to Paul

00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:49.660
 you have to piece together

00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.960
 the story from other sources.

00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:52.420
 Most likely

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.720
 he was vindicated

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.420
 and released

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.940
 then carried out

00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.019
 a mission to Western Europe

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.000
 perhaps to Spain

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.700
 where he always wanted to go.

00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:01.180
 That would have been

00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:02.180
 the end of the earth

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.500
 seen then.

00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.220
 Two or three years later

00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.640
 he came back to Rome

00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.380
 where he was arrested

00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.500
 and this time

00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.600
 beheaded by Emperor Nero.

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.680
 That's the most likely

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.940
 conclusion to Paul's life

00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:13.079
 that we can't be totally sure

00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.340
 but that's not where Luke

00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.299
 leaves us.

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.259
 Luke doesn't leave us

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:19.120
 marveling at Paul.

00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:21.500
 He leaves us marveling

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.879
 at the prevailing power

00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:24.599
 of the word of God

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:26.819
 to overcome all kinds

00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.439
 of opposition

00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.579
 as it spreads

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.259
 from Jerusalem

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:31.159
 to the end of the earth.

00:27:31.979 --> 00:27:33.119
 He doesn't wrap up

00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.959
 the story neatly.

00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.659
 He leaves us in the middle

00:27:35.659 --> 00:27:36.879
 of an ongoing story

00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:38.039
 because we are invited

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:39.439
 to step into that story

00:27:39.439 --> 00:27:40.579
 and continue it.

00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:42.479
 Turn in your bulletin

00:27:42.479 --> 00:27:43.919
 to page four

00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:44.899
 the middle page.

00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.519
 There's an outline

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:48.299
 of the book of Acts.

00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.720
 Chapter 1 verse 8

00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:53.599
 quoted at the top

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.400
 the risen Lord Jesus

00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.240
 said to his disciples

00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.480
 you will receive power

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:58.059
 when the Holy Spirit

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.079
 comes upon you

00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:00.099
 and you shall be

00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.779
 my witnesses

00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.220
 in Jerusalem

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.299
 and Judea

00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.980
 and Samaria

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.000
 and to the end

00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.220
 of the earth.

00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.859
 And that's the progression

00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.599
 of the book of Acts

00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.139
 as you can see

00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.779
 in the outline.

00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.160
 Now Rome

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.940
 would not have been seen

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.759
 as the end of the earth.

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.379
 It would have been seen

00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.599
 as the center of the empire.

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.959
 But as they said

00:28:16.959 --> 00:28:17.459
 back then

00:28:17.459 --> 00:28:18.799
 all roads lead to Rome

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.579
 and therefore

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.539
 if you get to Rome

00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.579
 you can get anywhere.

00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.539
 And if the gospel

00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:23.959
 of Jesus

00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:25.259
 can take root in Rome

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:27.159
 it can go anywhere

00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:27.699
 and everywhere.

00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:30.240
 Now along the way

00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.839
 from Jerusalem to Rome

00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.980
 the Christian message

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:34.279
 and the Christian messengers

00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.379
 have faced

00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:36.480
 all kinds of opposition

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:38.240
 both internal

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.779
 within the church

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.579
 and external

00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:42.199
 from opponents.

00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.839
 They faced opposition

00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.519
 in Jerusalem

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.259
 from jealous

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.179
 temple authorities

00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:47.959
 who wanted to shut down

00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:48.679
 the Jesus movement

00:28:48.679 --> 00:28:49.419
 from the start.

00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:52.379
 From deceptive church members

00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:54.159
 Ananias and Sapphira

00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:55.240
 who wanted to appear

00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.699
 sacrificially generous

00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.839
 when they really weren't.

00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:00.039
 From grumbling

00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:01.319
 Greek speaking widows

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.379
 and neglectful

00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.379
 Hebrew speaking Christians

00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:04.240
 that nearly led

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.159
 to a church split

00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:06.539
 right from the start.

00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:09.299
 From greedy magicians

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.879
 in Samaria

00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.679
 who wanted to buy

00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:11.359
 the gift of God

00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:11.859
 with money.

00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.519
 From zealous

00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.279
 Jewish Christians

00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.579
 who wanted Gentile believers

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.319
 to adopt

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.399
 not only

00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.859
 the faith in the Messiah

00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.979
 but also their culture

00:29:19.979 --> 00:29:20.779
 and their traditions.

00:29:21.959 --> 00:29:23.119
 From slave owners

00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.879
 in Philippi

00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:25.240
 who made a fortune

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.579
 off a fortune telling slave

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.399
 and were furious

00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.579
 when she was set free.

00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.500
 From a violent mob

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.299
 in Thessalonica

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:33.000
 who accused the apostles

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.859
 of turning the world

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.699
 upside down.

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.979
 From mocking intellectuals

00:29:36.979 --> 00:29:37.439
 in Athens

00:29:37.439 --> 00:29:38.779
 who were addicted

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.799
 to novel ideas

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.440
 but allergic

00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.839
 to Paul's proclamation

00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.660
 of the resurrection.

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.899
 From well-meaning

00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:46.200
 but mistaken believers

00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.940
 in Tyre

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.160
 who urged Paul

00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.359
 to take an easier road

00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:50.460
 instead of the difficult

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.799
 and dangerous visit

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.680
 to Jerusalem.

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.920
 From self-serving judges

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.579
 in Caesarea

00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:57.220
 who postponed their verdicts

00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.220
 in hope of a bribe.

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.480
 From raging storms

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.299
 on the Mediterranean

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.420
 and poisonous stakes

00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.059
 on Malta

00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.399
 but none of these obstacles

00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.160
 could stop

00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:05.220
 the progress

00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.759
 of the word of God.

00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:09.519
 There are six major sections

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.920
 in the book of Acts

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:12.480
 and they each concluded

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.379
 the summary statement

00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:14.460
 about the progress

00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.420
 of God's word

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.500
 despite internal

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.940
 and external opposition.

00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.759
 At the beginning

00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:21.119
 of this last major section

00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.440
 1921

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.299
 Paul resolved

00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.839
 in the spirit

00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.619
 to go to Jerusalem

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.920
 and then to Rome

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.099
 and that's exactly

00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.740
 what he did.

00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:28.819
 Perhaps not in the way

00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.339
 he envisioned

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.740
 but he got there.

00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.180
 And so Luke's

00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:33.339
 final summary statement

00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.220
 verse 31

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:36.220
 is a word of triumph.

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:38.700
 Despite Paul's chains

00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.940
 and confinement

00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:41.339
 being stuck

00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.400
 in his apartment

00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:44.379
 the message

00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.379
 of the kingdom of God

00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.440
 and the Lord Jesus Christ

00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.700
 goes forth boldly

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:49.240
 and unhindered.

00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.559
 Even in Rome

00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:53.579
 Paul's chains

00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:55.480
 were the gospel's wings.

00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.039
 He was chained

00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.720
 to a guard

00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.559
 that rotated

00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.440
 every four hours

00:30:59.440 --> 00:30:59.920
 for Paul

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.839
 that was an ongoing

00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.519
 opportunity

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.039
 to speak about the gospel.

00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.500
 He had a captive audience

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:07.619
 who couldn't leave him

00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:08.680
 even if they wanted to.

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.440
 In Philippians 1

00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:11.940
 he wrote

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.279
 I want you to know

00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:14.140
 brothers and sisters

00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:15.440
 that what has happened

00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.720
 to me

00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.500
 has really served

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.480
 to advance the gospel.

00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.319
 It has become known

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.039
 throughout the whole

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.140
 imperial guard

00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:23.119
 and to all the rest

00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.940
 that my imprisonment

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.720
 is for Christ.

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.059
 Furthermore

00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:27.079
 the Christians in Rome

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:27.839
 were encouraged.

00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.539
 Most of the brothers

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.079
 and sisters

00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.259
 having become confident

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.880
 in the Lord

00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:33.019
 by my imprisonment

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.240
 are much more bold

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.259
 to speak the word of God

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:35.980
 without fear.

00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.660
 Other Christians

00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:39.180
 also spoke

00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.379
 with this joyful freedom

00:31:40.379 --> 00:31:41.799
 without holding anything back.

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.139
 At the end of Philippians

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.379
 chapter 4 verse 22

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.859
 Paul refers to some

00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:47.319
 in Caesar's own household

00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.480
 who had become

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.480
 believers in Jesus.

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.079
 When Paul wasn't

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.660
 proclaiming the kingdom of God

00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.460
 to his guards

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:56.200
 or his inquiring visitors

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.559
 or meeting with

00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.359
 his fellow Christians

00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.359
 who came to visit him

00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.259
 and care for his needs

00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.960
 he was writing.

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.680
 Philippians

00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.920
 Ephesians

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:05.160
 Colossians

00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:06.059
 Philemon

00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:09.500
 Ben Witherington

00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.220
 in his commentary

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.900
 on Acts

00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:13.259
 concluded it this way

00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:15.360
 no obstacle

00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:16.279
 could hinder

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.860
 the word of God

00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.900
 from reaching

00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.019
 the heart of the empire

00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.360
 and the hearts

00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.680
 of those who dwelled there

00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.860
 in the end

00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:25.539
 God was sovereign

00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.920
 and God

00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.700
 was faithful

00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:29.240
 to his word

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.900
 and his people

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.840
 no obstacle

00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:31.640
 was too great

00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.300
 for the God

00:32:32.300 --> 00:32:33.040
 who raised Jesus

00:32:33.040 --> 00:32:33.840
 to overcome

00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:35.180
 in bringing salvation

00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.980
 to the world

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:37.240
 that he loved

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:40.140
 and brothers and sisters

00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.680
 in the Lord Jesus Christ

00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:43.740
 there is no obstacle

00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.580
 that you are facing

00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:46.640
 in your circumstances

00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:48.820
 in your past

00:32:48.820 --> 00:32:50.160
 in your present

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.200
 or in your future

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.960
 that is too great

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.660
 for the God

00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.440
 who raised Jesus

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.040
 from the dead

00:32:55.040 --> 00:32:55.580
 to overcome

00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:57.279
 because he is sovereign

00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:59.000
 and he is faithful

00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.879
 to his word

00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:01.259
 and his people

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:03.579
 even when you feel stuck

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.579
 and isolated

00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.539
 and confined

00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:07.079
 you too can live

00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.139
 with all boldness

00:33:08.139 --> 00:33:09.399
 and without hindrance

00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:10.639
 as the word of God

00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.419
 dwells richly

00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:12.579
 in you

00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:15.339
 and when the word of God

00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.579
 dwells richly in you

00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.259
 the word of God

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.480
 will go forth from you

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.960
 into your workplace

00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:21.480
 into your marriage

00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.699
 into your college

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:24.400
 into your apartment building

00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.440
 into the homeless shelter

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.279
 into the prison

00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.140
 your prison

00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:28.559
 whatever that might be

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:30.500
 brothers and sisters

00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:32.660
 live with joyful freedom

00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:34.720
 live without holding

00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.680
 anything back

00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.680
 God has been faithful

00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.380
 to his promises

00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:37.980
 to Israel

00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:39.120
 and God has purposed

00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:40.860
 to bring his salvation

00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:42.660
 to the ends of the earth

00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:44.559
 to all kinds of people

00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.039
 everywhere

00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.960
 including us

00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:47.080
 and now we are called

00:33:47.080 --> 00:33:49.039
 to carry on that story

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.799
 let us pray

00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:57.059
 Almighty God

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:57.779
 we thank you

00:33:57.779 --> 00:34:00.579
 for your faithfulness

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.259
 to your word

00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:02.299
 and to your people

00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:06.759
 for your faithfulness

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.659
 to your promises

00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:08.360
 to Israel

00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:10.739
 and for your purpose

00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:12.599
 to bring salvation

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.599
 to the ends of the earth

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.960
 and we pray

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.139
 that you would empower us

00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.159
 as you did Paul

00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.259
 by your Holy Spirit

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:20.480
 that we would

00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:22.480
 live and speak

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:24.900
 with all boldness

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:26.580
 and without hindrance

00:34:26.580 --> 00:34:29.000
 in Jesus name we pray

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:30.420
 Amen