WEBVTT

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 The title of the sermon this morning is A Tree of Truth in a Forest of Falsehood.

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 And so we're going to look at Paul this morning in our passage.

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 And if you would turn in your Bibles, we're going to start in Acts chapter 24.

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 We're going to read all of Acts 24 and the beginning part of 25.

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 Let's pray before we start because I need it, you guys need it, and we're digging into the Word of God.

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 Lord, we ask your help this morning as we read, as we listen, as we apply your Word to our lives.

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 We pray that you would teach us.

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 We pray that it would be your words and your truth that come out and not my personal thoughts.

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 May the Spirit work, encourage, and direct.

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 Lord, we pray in your holy name. Amen.

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 Acts 24, starting in verse 1.

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 And after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus.

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 They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

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 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,

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 Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation in every way and in everywhere,

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 we accept this with all gratitude.

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 But to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

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 For we have found this man a plague, speaking of Paul, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world,

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 and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

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 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.

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 I'm going to pause here because some of your Bibles may have part of verse 6 and verse 7 left out.

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 The reason for that is some manuscripts added it in.

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 So if you don't have it here, you'll probably see it in your footnotes at the bottom.

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 So verse 6,

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 And we tried to profane, he tried even to profane the temple, but we seized him.

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 And we would have judged him according to our law, but the chief captain, Lysias, came and with great violence took him out of our hands,

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 commanding his accusers to come before you.

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 And starting in verse 8,

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 But examining him yourself, you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.

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 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

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 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied,

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 Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

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 You can verify that it is not more than 12 days since I went to worship in Jerusalem,

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 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd,

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 either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

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 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

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 But this I confess to you, that according to the way which they call a sect,

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 I worship the God of our fathers,

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 believing everything laid down by the law and written in the prophets,

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 having a hope in God,

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 which these men themselves accept,

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 that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

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 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

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 And now, after several years,

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 I come to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

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 While I was doing this,

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 they found me purified in the temple without any crowd or turmoil.

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 But some Jews from Asia,

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 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation,

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 should they have anything against me.

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 Or,

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 these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council.

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 Other than this one thing,

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 I cried out while standing among them.

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 It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead

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 that I'm on trial before you this day.

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 But Felix,

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 having a rather accurate knowledge of the way,

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 put them off,

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 saying,

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 When Lysias the Tribune comes down,

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 I will decide your case.

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 Then he gave orders to the centurion

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 that he should be kept in custody,

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 but have some liberty,

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 and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

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 After some days,

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 Felix came with his wife,

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 Drusilla,

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 who was Jewish,

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 and he sent for Paul,

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 and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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 And as he reasoned about righteousness

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 and self-control

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 and the coming judgment,

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 Felix was alarmed and said,

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 Go away for the present.

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 When I get an opportunity,

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 I will summon you.

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 At the same time,

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 he hoped that money would be given him by Paul.

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 So he sent for him often

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 and conversed with him.

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 When two years had elapsed,

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 Felix was seceded

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 by Portius Festus.

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 And desiring to do the Jews a favor,

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 Felix left Paul in prison.

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 Chapter 25.

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 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the Providence,

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 he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea,

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 and the chief priest and the principal men of the Jews

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 laid out their case against Paul,

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 and they urged him,

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 asking as a favor against Paul,

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 that he summon him to Jerusalem

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 because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

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 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea

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 and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

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 So, said he,

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 Let the men of authority among you go down with me,

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 and if there is anything wrong about the man,

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 let them bring charges against him.

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 After he stayed there,

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 stayed among them not more than eight or ten days,

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 he went down to Caesarea,

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 and the next day he took a seat on the tribunal

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 and ordered Paul to be brought.

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 When he had arrived,

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 the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem

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 stood around him,

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 bringing many and serious charges against him,

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 but that they could not prove.

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 Paul argued in his defense,

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 Neither against the law of the Jews,

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 nor against the temple,

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 nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.

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 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,

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 said to Paul,

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 Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem

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 and there be tried on these charges before me?

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 But Paul said,

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 I am standing before Caesar's tribunal,

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 where I ought to be tried.

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 To the Jews I have done no wrong,

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 as you yourself know very well.

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 If then I am a wrongdoer

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 and have committed anything

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 for which I deserve to die,

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 I do not seek to escape death.

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 But if there is anything

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 to their charges against me,

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 no one can give me up to them.

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 I appeal to Caesar.

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 Then Festus,

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 when he had confirmed with his counsel,

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 answered,

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 To Caesar you have appealed,

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 to a Caesar you shall go.

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 So in this passage,

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 we're going to break it up into three sections.

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 We're going to see Paul on trial.

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 We're going to see Paul on hold.

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 And see Paul on his way to Rome.

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 As things shift there.

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 In general,

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 I think most of us

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 would not enjoy

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 playing a game

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 if the rules weren't set out.

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 Right?

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 If the rules changed

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 as the game went on.

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 Or maybe for those

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 who like shopping,

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 shopping wouldn't be very fun

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 if the price for items

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 changed unpredictably.

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 How about driving laws

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 or laws for pedestrians

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 that didn't always apply?

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 That leaves us uneasy.

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 It's not something that we enjoy.

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 When I was reading this passage,

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 it reminded me of

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 a Disney movie.

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 Probably my least favorite.

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 Alice in Wonderland.

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 If it's your favorite.

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 I don't mean to bash you in any way.

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 I won't judge you.

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 But if you know the story

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 of Alice in Wonderland,

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 she starts out

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 and she's bored with her lessons

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 and she wishes all her books

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 had more pictures

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 and were nonsense.

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 She falls asleep.

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 She has a dream

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 where she's in a world of nonsense.

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 At the end,

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 there's this court scene

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 where she's on trial

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 with the Queen of Hearts

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 who rules the land

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 and she exclaims,

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 I don't even know

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 what I did wrong

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 and the Queen says,

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 forget the trial.

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 Let's just cut off her head.

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 I won't spoil the ending for you,

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 but it's kind of what we see

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 in Paul's court case

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 where he doesn't know

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 what he's done wrong,

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 but the Jews

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 literally want to kill him.

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 And that's what we have here.

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 But in our passage,

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 Paul's not in a dream

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 and the accusations against him

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 are serious.

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 But all the while,

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 Paul wants to remain true

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 even though all around him

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 is falsehood,

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 the lies,

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 the accusations.

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 Our goal,

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 like Paul's goal

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 as Christians,

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 is we're called to stand true

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 in a world

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 that rejects the truth.

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 We know that Paul knows

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 his purpose

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 and his goal

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 and he wants to remain true

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 to that goal,

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 true to Christ

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 and true to how he should respond

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 in the face of accusations.

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 Remember,

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 if you remember back

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 a couple chapters,

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 this all started

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 because as Paul returns

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 from his missionary journeys,

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 the Christian church

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 asked him to go

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 to the temple

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 and to take part

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 of this purification process.

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 It's at the end

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 of this process

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 that these Jewish people

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 from another area

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 come in

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 and start this riot.

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 And so,

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 Paul,

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 because of the lies

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 that they put out,

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 the accusations,

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 he gets caught up

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 in this fight,

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 this being arrested

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 and he didn't do anything.

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 So,

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 as chapter 24 starts out,

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 we see that Ananias,

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 the high priest,

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 whom,

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 if we remember from before,

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 is a pretty crooked high priest.

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 He's also a high priest

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 that when Paul began

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 to speak,

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 he had him punched

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 in the mouth.

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 And so,

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 Paul's not exactly

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 in a good place

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 starting out in verse 24.

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 He arrives with

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 some Jewish elders

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 and also this spokesman,

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 this Tertullus,

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 who is an attorney.

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 He's the legal mouthpiece

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 for this group

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 that is coming against Paul.

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 So,

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 they come before Festus,

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 who is the ruling governor

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 of the area.

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 And Festus has agreed

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 to take this trial

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 because not only

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 is Paul a Roman citizen,

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 but he's from

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 that same area.

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 So,

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 we have the accusers

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 on one side

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 and we have Paul

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 on the other side

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 and the governor

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 motions for them

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 to start.

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 And the start

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 is pretty humorous.

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 Oh,

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 fabulous,

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 Felix,

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 because of you

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 and your wisdom,

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 we've been able

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 to live

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 in such enjoyable harmony.

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 All over this nation,

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 we have made,

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 you have made changes

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 and improvements

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 that all delightfully

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 we accept

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 and are so thankful for.

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 And we don't want

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 to take up much

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 of your time,

00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:40.879
 but just for a second,

00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:41.899
 if you could,

00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:42.639
 out of your kindness,

00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:44.159
 just hear our plea.

00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.699
 That's how he starts out.

00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.679
 This is often the case

00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:49.779
 because each side

00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.720
 wants to win

00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:53.240
 the favor of the judge.

00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.299
 So often,

00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:55.659
 this flattery

00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.559
 happens,

00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:58.819
 but in this case,

00:11:59.119 --> 00:12:00.819
 it really is beyond flattery

00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:01.759
 and it's more

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:04.099
 lies

00:12:04.099 --> 00:12:05.459
 and exaggerations

00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:05.859
 because

00:12:05.859 --> 00:12:07.000
 if we look back

00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.239
 and read what

00:12:08.239 --> 00:12:09.199
 historians say

00:12:09.199 --> 00:12:09.739
 about Felix,

00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:10.799
 he was in

00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:12.000
 no way

00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.359
 known for having

00:12:13.359 --> 00:12:14.879
 a peaceful term.

00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:15.519
 In fact,

00:12:15.619 --> 00:12:17.059
 up to this point,

00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:18.539
 he has the worst term

00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.779
 in this area

00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.000
 of trying to keep

00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.539
 the peace.

00:12:22.359 --> 00:12:23.679
 So not just unpeaceful,

00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.979
 but he was hated

00:12:24.979 --> 00:12:25.799
 by the Jews.

00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:26.979
 He was known

00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:28.259
 for taking bribes.

00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:29.340
 So everything

00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:30.600
 that Tertullus

00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.139
 is speaking

00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.080
 just in his introduction

00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:33.340
 is just lies

00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:35.080
 to try to flatter

00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:35.740
 the judge

00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:36.700
 and to get on

00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:37.460
 his good side.

00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:40.480
 So after his introduction,

00:12:41.180 --> 00:12:42.379
 the lies are then

00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:44.200
 directed towards Paul

00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:45.759
 as he lays out

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.500
 the accusations

00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.420
 and we see this

00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:50.440
 in verses 5 through 9.

00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:50.899
 He says,

00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.779
 Paul's a plague.

00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.039
 He's a troublemaker.

00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.820
 He stirs up riots.

00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.779
 He creates unrest

00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:58.319
 among all the Jews

00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:59.879
 in the Roman world.

00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.620
 He's a ringleader

00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.899
 of this sect

00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:04.179
 of the Nazarenes.

00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:05.360
 This is directed,

00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.879
 this is meant

00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:09.079
 to be derogatory

00:13:09.079 --> 00:13:11.559
 as if Paul

00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:12.399
 had some

00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:14.000
 heretical spin-off

00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.199
 that he was trying

00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:16.000
 to convince

00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.120
 people of.

00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:18.679
 Next,

00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:20.120
 he tried to profane

00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.779
 or desecrate

00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:22.079
 the temple.

00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.179
 And this,

00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:23.959
 we know from before,

00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:24.920
 was based on

00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:27.400
 just false assumptions

00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:29.139
 that Paul had brought

00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.580
 in a Gentile

00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:31.940
 into a part of the temple

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.000
 that was not allowed.

00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.860
 And that was

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:35.960
 a serious accusation

00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.200
 because the Romans,

00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.900
 they gave the Jews

00:13:38.900 --> 00:13:40.400
 a lot of power

00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:41.840
 when it came to

00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.019
 dealing with offenses

00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.060
 to their temple.

00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.720
 But this wasn't even true.

00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:48.399
 And then to end it,

00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:49.460
 Felix says that

00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.920
 once you examine him,

00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.820
 you're going to see

00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:53.220
 all the true things

00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.240
 that I just told you

00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.060
 were true about Paul.

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.960
 Which is really

00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.759
 just a slick way

00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.060
 of trying to convince him

00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:02.580
 of his side

00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:03.639
 before even hearing

00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.600
 Paul's side

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.779
 of the story.

00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.540
 And then you hear

00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.639
 all the Jews yelling

00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.019
 like,

00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.720
 yeah, he did it,

00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.180
 that's him,

00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:10.920
 we all agree,

00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:12.360
 as if they can actually

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.680
 add some legal merit

00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.479
 to the case

00:14:15.479 --> 00:14:16.479
 by their voices.

00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.759
 And those are the accusations

00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.819
 that we see

00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:20.899
 Paul facing.

00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.579
 But another thing

00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:24.319
 is going on here,

00:14:24.359 --> 00:14:25.459
 besides the accusations,

00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:27.779
 think about for a minute

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.679
 the situation

00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.879
 that Paul finds himself in.

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.239
 He's in the courtroom,

00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:35.399
 but he's on a battlefield

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:37.099
 between two forces.

00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.259
 Two guerrillas,

00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.479
 you could say.

00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.839
 One was the Jewish faith

00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:42.000
 on one side,

00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.799
 the religion of Jerusalem

00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:44.959
 that spanned back

00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:46.859
 2,000 years to Abraham,

00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:49.039
 their history and tradition.

00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.620
 And on the other side

00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.939
 you have the Roman Empire,

00:14:52.719 --> 00:14:53.899
 the power,

00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.740
 and the rule

00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.740
 which covered

00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:58.859
 over 3 million square miles

00:14:58.859 --> 00:15:01.699
 around the Mediterranean Sea.

00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:04.059
 So he's held in grips

00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:04.699
 by them

00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:06.439
 and accused by the other.

00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:09.000
 Surely Paul wasn't trying

00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.139
 to wage war

00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:12.359
 against either of these two.

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:14.480
 He wasn't.

00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.779
 And Paul was not fearful

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.700
 of the situation

00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:18.879
 because from Paul's perspective,

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:21.200
 he sees a whole different battle

00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:22.360
 that's being played out.

00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.580
 It's not a battle

00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.419
 between the Jews.

00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:25.159
 It's not a battle

00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.220
 between the Rome,

00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:28.019
 but a spiritual battle.

00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.639
 He's not a traitor

00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.379
 to the church.

00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:32.200
 He's not a criminal of Rome.

00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.680
 He's on the side

00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.960
 of Jesus Christ

00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.659
 in the gospel.

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.259
 And Jesus

00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.340
 or the gospel

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.360
 do not undermine

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.080
 the law,

00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.480
 whether we're speaking

00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.600
 of the Jewish law

00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.039
 or the Roman law.

00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:47.039
 So part of Paul's argument

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:49.279
 that he's trying to make

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.820
 is that the gospel

00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:52.399
 is not at odds

00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:53.440
 between either one

00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.419
 and neither is Paul.

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:57.320
 He's a loyal religious Jew.

00:15:57.879 --> 00:16:00.600
 He's also a loyal Roman citizen.

00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:03.040
 It was the truth

00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:03.800
 about Jesus

00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:04.940
 that people

00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:06.379
 did not want to hear.

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.379
 The message of the gospel

00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.259
 was the truth

00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.220
 and since Paul

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.840
 was preaching it,

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.800
 he was the one

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:15.580
 that they were coming after.

00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:17.080
 The battle was against him

00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.040
 because of the truth

00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:18.960
 that he was preaching.

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.100
 The foundation

00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.060
 of these attacks

00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.440
 were coming

00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:24.000
 from the same place

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.600
 as those who hated

00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:27.560
 and arrested Jesus.

00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:30.339
 If you remember back,

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.419
 John 15, 18 says,

00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.599
 If the world hates you,

00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:37.139
 know that it has hated me

00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.399
 before it hated you.

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.259
 The tactics

00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.419
 of Paul's enemies

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.119
 were the same

00:16:42.119 --> 00:16:43.299
 as those used

00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.119
 against Jesus

00:16:44.119 --> 00:16:45.879
 when he was accused

00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.639
 of threatening

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.759
 to destroy the temple,

00:16:48.219 --> 00:16:49.559
 of blaspheming God,

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:52.000
 of claiming to be king.

00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.759
 And like Jesus,

00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.539
 Paul was innocent

00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.259
 of the charges

00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.379
 that were against him.

00:16:57.559 --> 00:17:00.099
 It reminded me

00:17:00.099 --> 00:17:01.099
 of the verse,

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.579
 John 18, 38,

00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.839
 when Jesus is on trial

00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.619
 and Pilate says to him,

00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.980
 What is truth?

00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:11.019
 And after he said this,

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.899
 he went back outside

00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.559
 to the Jews

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.319
 and told them,

00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.960
 I find no fault

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.119
 in this man.

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.720
 Paul knows

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.679
 the real battle

00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:21.259
 is a spiritual battle.

00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.940
 In addition,

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.960
 he knows

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.599
 that he is there

00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:28.419
 where God wants him to be.

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.139
 Remember,

00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:30.039
 just a few verses

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.639
 back in chapter 23,

00:17:32.219 --> 00:17:32.559
 God,

00:17:32.679 --> 00:17:33.159
 the Lord,

00:17:33.219 --> 00:17:34.179
 appeared to him

00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:35.240
 and said,

00:17:35.959 --> 00:17:36.480
 Take courage,

00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:38.059
 for as you have testified

00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.599
 to the facts

00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.519
 about me in Jerusalem,

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.259
 so you must testify

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:43.439
 also in Rome.

00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.519
 Paul knows this.

00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:45.919
 Paul knows where he's at

00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.839
 and he's where God

00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.679
 wants him to be,

00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.959
 even though it's not

00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:50.299
 where we would choose

00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.539
 we would want to be.

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:54.980
 If we are standing

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.259
 on the truth,

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.460
 then like Paul,

00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.519
 we can be confident

00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:00.819
 that as we move forward

00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:02.839
 where God calls us,

00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.319
 that we're where

00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.799
 we are supposed to be.

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.779
 So after the accusations,

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.079
 Governor Felix

00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.079
 gives the nod

00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.920
 in verse 10

00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:13.279
 for Paul to begin

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.579
 and he lays out

00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.319
 his defense.

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:18.159
 He starts with an opening

00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:19.659
 that is much different

00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:20.659
 than Tertullus'

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:20.860
 promises.

00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.019
 There were no lies,

00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.380
 there's no exaggerations.

00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:24.700
 He's respectful

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.060
 and he's to the point.

00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.160
 He says,

00:18:27.540 --> 00:18:28.300
 You have been a judge

00:18:28.300 --> 00:18:29.019
 over this nation

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.940
 for a number of years

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:31.460
 and since you are the judge,

00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:33.519
 I cheerfully make my defense.

00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.779
 There's no lie there.

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.960
 All that was true,

00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.380
 but also respectful

00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.640
 of the governor

00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.400
 that he is standing

00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.100
 in front of.

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.779
 In verse 11,

00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.300
 he says,

00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.740
 It has not been

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.940
 more than 12 days

00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.779
 since I've gone

00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.880
 to worship in the temple.

00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.779
 I have no Facebook account.

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.019
 I don't have any followers

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.560
 on TikTok.

00:18:51.040 --> 00:18:51.740
 There's no way

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.680
 that I can gain

00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:54.240
 this amount of support

00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.840
 in this short amount

00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:56.340
 of time

00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.180
 in order to start

00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.080
 this kind of riot.

00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.060
 He continues to say

00:19:00.060 --> 00:19:02.220
 that they did not find him

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.740
 arguing with anyone

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.940
 or stirring up a crowd,

00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.519
 not even in the temple

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.700
 where they claim

00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.220
 that it took place.

00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:11.680
 See, Paul truthfully

00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.779
 and adamantly

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.000
 denies these accusations

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.080
 and he's doing it

00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.900
 for good reason.

00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:18.280
 not only were they

00:19:18.280 --> 00:19:18.940
 not true,

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.000
 but they were

00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.680
 the connecting pin

00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.880
 that the Jews

00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:24.900
 wanted to use

00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.820
 to attach

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:27.500
 their religious complaints

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.320
 about Paul

00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:30.200
 to civil complaints.

00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:31.340
 See,

00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.480
 stirring up unrest

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:34.019
 and starting riots

00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.340
 and disturbing the peace,

00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:35.780
 no,

00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:36.600
 those were things

00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.900
 that the Romans

00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.060
 would be concerned about.

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:41.259
 about being a judge

00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.339
 over some religious

00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.559
 disagreement.

00:19:44.159 --> 00:19:45.059
 Romans didn't care

00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.460
 about that.

00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:47.279
 They had no interest

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.019
 in that.

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.460
 So if the Jews

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.720
 could put the two together,

00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:53.200
 then maybe they can have

00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.799
 something done

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.500
 against Paul.

00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:58.119
 Paul continues

00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.099
 in verse 14.

00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.200
 He confesses

00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:01.720
 that he is a follower

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.599
 of the way,

00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:05.000
 denying that it is a sect.

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.680
 He says,

00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.880
 if I follow a sect,

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.900
 then you follow

00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.799
 the same sect.

00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.839
 And why is that?

00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:12.460
 Because Paul worships

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.039
 the same God

00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.660
 of our fathers

00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.640
 that you worship.

00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.779
 He worships,

00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.240
 he believes

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.099
 the same scriptures

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:19.079
 that the Jews believe.

00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.119
 Paul's not a starter

00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:22.180
 of some sect.

00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.700
 He's not an innovator

00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.640
 of something new.

00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.740
 He aligns

00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:27.259
 with mainstream Judaism.

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.200
 That's his point.

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:30.100
 They worship the same God.

00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.819
 They believe

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.420
 the same law

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.960
 and the prophets.

00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.940
 They believe

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.880
 the same hope,

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.840
 the resurrection

00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:36.160
 of the just

00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.860
 and the unjust.

00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:37.799
 And they had

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.640
 the same goal

00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:40.059
 to keep a clear conscience

00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.160
 before God and man.

00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.819
 At least outwardly

00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.680
 they would say that,

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.920
 although they may not

00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.000
 actually do that

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.960
 in real life.

00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:52.539
 I'm sure some

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:54.480
 also who were there

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:56.000
 remembered Paul

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.279
 when he was Saul

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:59.039
 and how he arrested

00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.220
 people who were

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.920
 of the way.

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.519
 Now he is admitting

00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.359
 to being part

00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.359
 of the way.

00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:08.059
 But as he had explained

00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:10.159
 earlier in another trial,

00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:13.119
 he explains the reason

00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.740
 for this.

00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.839
 And I have the verse up.

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:17.359
 This is from Acts chapter 9.

00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:18.299
 I put it up

00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.940
 because I think

00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.839
 it's important

00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.839
 for us to look at.

00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.799
 He says,

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.379
 But Saul,

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.599
 still breathing threats

00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.119
 and murder

00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:25.199
 against the disciples

00:21:25.199 --> 00:21:25.899
 of the Lord,

00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.459
 went to the high priest

00:21:27.459 --> 00:21:28.059
 and asked him

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.759
 for letters

00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.879
 to the synagogues

00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.720
 in Damascus

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.879
 so that if he found

00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.439
 any belonging

00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:35.019
 to the way,

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.419
 men or women,

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.379
 he might bring them

00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:38.439
 bound to Jerusalem.

00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:40.419
 That's pretty ironic.

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.159
 Now as he went

00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:42.740
 on his way,

00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.859
 he approached Damascus

00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.939
 and suddenly a light

00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:45.480
 from heaven

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.319
 shone around him

00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.699
 and falling to the ground,

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.699
 he heard a voice

00:21:48.699 --> 00:21:49.359
 saying to him,

00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.539
 Saul, Saul,

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.019
 why are you persecuting me?

00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.439
 And he said,

00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.659
 Who are you, Lord?

00:21:54.959 --> 00:21:55.740
 And he said,

00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.959
 I am Jesus

00:21:56.959 --> 00:21:59.979
 whom you are persecuting.

00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.679
 So the connection

00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.740
 to the way

00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:04.079
 is Jesus.

00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.759
 Jesus is the way.

00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.959
 He's the core.

00:22:09.719 --> 00:22:10.459
 More than that,

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.979
 if there's no Jesus,

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.219
 there's no gospel.

00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:16.860
 So the one thing,

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.640
 the main thing

00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.000
 which Paul preached

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.539
 was Jesus Christ.

00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.980
 The one thing,

00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.600
 the main thing

00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.740
 that Paul taught

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.460
 about resurrection

00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:26.059
 was Jesus Christ.

00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.319
 They believed

00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.000
 the same God,

00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.140
 the same scriptures,

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.200
 the same resurrection,

00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:32.120
 but they were missing

00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.839
 Jesus Christ.

00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.640
 Jesus makes

00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:37.259
 the continuity happen

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:39.400
 between the Old Testament

00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.299
 and the New Testament.

00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.619
 prophecies

00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:43.619
 and promises

00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.680
 made in the Old Testament

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.500
 are fulfilled

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.559
 in the New Testament.

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.139
 Sins taken away,

00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.960
 sins forgiven,

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.359
 a relationship with God,

00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.379
 an eternal hope.

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:53.039
 All this is made possible

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.279
 because of Jesus Christ.

00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.059
 John 14, 6,

00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.399
 Jesus says,

00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.240
 I am the way.

00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.139
 I am the truth.

00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.240
 I am the life.

00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.819
 This is not

00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.299
 a conceited human being.

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:08.119
 This is Jesus Christ,

00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:10.700
 God of all creation.

00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.539
 This is Jesus Christ

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.839
 who went to the cross

00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.700
 and died for our sins.

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.039
 He says,

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.139
 I am the way.

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.740
 You can try to find

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.359
 another way,

00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.240
 but if you do it

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.980
 around me,

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.680
 it's not the way.

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.819
 It's not the truth.

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.419
 There is no life.

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.659
 In verse 16,

00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:30.940
 Paul says,

00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:32.519
 And I have always

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.900
 taken pains

00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:35.400
 to have a clear conscience

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:37.460
 toward God and man.

00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.580
 While they say

00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.400
 that I'm a writer

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:42.100
 or some ringleader,

00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.759
 what is true

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.440
 is that I work at

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.440
 to the point

00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:48.140
 of being inconvenienced

00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:49.299
 and burdened

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.259
 if it means

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.059
 that my conscience

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.640
 is clear

00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.440
 before God

00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.620
 and other men.

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.539
 And we know this

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.400
 looking back

00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.519
 at what Paul went through

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:58.019
 as he was on

00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.000
 his missionary trips.

00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:00.000
 He went out

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.839
 of his way

00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:02.599
 not to be an offense

00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.640
 to another person.

00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:07.559
 He's going to death.

00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:09.079
 He's been persecuted

00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.859
 and gone to jail

00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:11.220
 to keep a conscience

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.259
 before God

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.940
 knowing that God

00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.579
 has called him

00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.400
 to these things.

00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.759
 That's what he's trying

00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.940
 to say he's really like.

00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.000
 And building on that,

00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.799
 he says that

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.039
 after several years,

00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.019
 I've come to the temple

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.599
 to donate to the poor

00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.420
 and give an offering.

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.720
 And they found me

00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.619
 while I was there.

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.900
 That's right.

00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:30.200
 I was in the temple

00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:32.340
 but I was surrounded

00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.440
 by no crowd.

00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:35.060
 I was not arguing

00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:35.920
 with anyone.

00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.900
 That's how the Jews

00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:39.240
 from Asia found me.

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:42.100
 And then I don't know

00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.080
 if this is just

00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:45.740
 how he is talking

00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:47.080
 or if it all of a sudden

00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.759
 hits him.

00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:48.820
 He realizes

00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.320
 that those Jews

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:52.040
 from Asia

00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:53.160
 that were accusing him,

00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:54.500
 they're not in his presence.

00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:54.960
 He's like,

00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:55.800
 oh wait,

00:24:55.800 --> 00:24:57.240
 where are those accusers?

00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.540
 They're not even here.

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.659
 Shouldn't they be here

00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.720
 to bring the accusations?

00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.399
 The reason for that

00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:04.279
 is because like now,

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.859
 it's a serious infringement.

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.119
 It was a serious infringement

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.539
 then of Roman law

00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.700
 if an accuser

00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.940
 did not show up

00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.559
 for the actual trial.

00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.200
 And Paul's like,

00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.200
 they're not even here.

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.960
 How much could I have done wrong

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.819
 if they don't even care

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.359
 to show up

00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.220
 to talk about it

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.460
 or to bring these

00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.440
 against me?

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:23.000
 Paul then questions

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.980
 those who are there.

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.859
 He says,

00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:26.180
 you were at my last trial.

00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:28.120
 Was there any wrongdoing

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.220
 found of me then?

00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.340
 No.

00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.860
 The only thing

00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:33.000
 that I am guilty of

00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.019
 is standing up

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.480
 among them

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:34.980
 and shouting,

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.340
 it is with respect

00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:37.000
 to the resurrection

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.759
 of the dead

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.860
 that I'm on trial

00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:40.799
 before you this day.

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.160
 And this points back

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.380
 to his teaching

00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.140
 about the resurrection

00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.200
 of Jesus Christ.

00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.500
 And that's what

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.160
 they don't want

00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.779
 to hear about.

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.720
 It's what they don't

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.860
 believe in.

00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.640
 Because if you believe

00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.200
 in the resurrection

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.180
 of Jesus Christ,

00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.340
 suddenly you bring

00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.080
 a lot more

00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.160
 to the table

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.920
 that you have

00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.600
 to deal with.

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.320
 And that's,

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.160
 they didn't want

00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:00.640
 to go there.

00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:06.120
 In the last chapter,

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.860
 the Pharisees

00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.720
 declared him

00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.380
 innocent.

00:26:09.820 --> 00:26:10.120
 So,

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.060
 from a legal

00:26:11.060 --> 00:26:11.700
 standpoint,

00:26:12.100 --> 00:26:13.220
 all the charges,

00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.400
 even with the lies

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:16.160
 and the slander,

00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:18.560
 would vanish.

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.799
 However,

00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:23.379
 they were still

00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:25.519
 where they are.

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:27.980
 He was not charged

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.179
 with any religious

00:26:29.179 --> 00:26:30.119
 insurrection,

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.799
 no criminal offense,

00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.179
 nothing worthy

00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:34.240
 of being arrested.

00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.039
 So,

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.799
 ideally,

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.559
 this would have been

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.200
 the time where

00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.619
 Felix would end

00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.159
 the trial

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.639
 and declare Paul

00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:42.399
 not guilty.

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.720
 And if Felix

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.919
 was an honorable

00:26:44.919 --> 00:26:45.399
 governor,

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.059
 a fair governor,

00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.859
 then maybe that

00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.480
 would have happened.

00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.339
 But,

00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.519
 he wasn't

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.279
 and the Jews

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.099
 weren't looking

00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.819
 for a fair trial.

00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.720
 They weren't looking

00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.440
 for the truth.

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.659
 They were looking

00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.519
 for Paul

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.639
 to be killed.

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.019
 We know that.

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.079
 That was their goal

00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.279
 up until this point.

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.179
 They had a group

00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:04.139
 of 40 men

00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:05.659
 who had vowed

00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.659
 to kill him.

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.740
 That's a lot of people

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.419
 hating Paul.

00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:11.879
 That's some serious hate.

00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.659
 They didn't want

00:27:14.659 --> 00:27:15.319
 to hear about

00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.359
 Jesus of the way

00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.440
 because,

00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:17.899
 like I said,

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:19.340
 Jesus and the gospel

00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:20.200
 brings conviction.

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.040
 It brings light

00:27:22.040 --> 00:27:23.900
 on sinful hearts

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:25.720
 and they hated that.

00:27:26.800 --> 00:27:28.019
 Felix had no ground

00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.080
 to convict Paul

00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:29.640
 of anything,

00:27:29.780 --> 00:27:30.580
 but he also

00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:31.400
 doesn't want

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.380
 to release him.

00:27:33.540 --> 00:27:34.480
 Most likely

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.460
 because he fears

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.280
 of missing out

00:27:36.280 --> 00:27:37.460
 on money

00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.720
 or falling out

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.160
 of favor

00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.100
 with the Jews.

00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.440
 So,

00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:41.920
 Paul goes

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.080
 from the lies

00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.819
 and the slander

00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.419
 of the Jews

00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:45.699
 to the corruption

00:27:45.699 --> 00:27:47.339
 of a governor.

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:48.859
 And so,

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.399
 this next section

00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:51.139
 we move into

00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:51.799
 where we see

00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.319
 Paul on hold.

00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.899
 Verse 22

00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.639
 says,

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.579
 But Felix,

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.279
 having a rather

00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.039
 accurate knowledge

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.519
 of the way,

00:27:58.939 --> 00:27:59.699
 put them off,

00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.319
 saying,

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.079
 When Lysias,

00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.299
 the tribune,

00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.819
 comes down,

00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:05.159
 I'll decide your case.

00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.559
 So,

00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.220
 just at the end

00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.759
 of this case

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.099
 where you would think

00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.960
 you were going to get

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.399
 a verdict,

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.559
 you got nothing.

00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.500
 You got put off.

00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.779
 Sounds hopeful.

00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.460
 Maybe.

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.200
 Date's not exact,

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.779
 but the governor's

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.480
 given us something

00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.279
 to work with.

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.500
 But what we see

00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.019
 is the governor

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.819
 never actually calls

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:23.319
 for Lysias

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.619
 to come down.

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.919
 It's just something

00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.740
 that he says.

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:28.019
 There was no court date

00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.659
 set.

00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.740
 Paul's allowed

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.440
 some freedoms,

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:33.039
 but he's still arrested.

00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.539
 He's not free

00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.240
 to go and do

00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.940
 what he wants.

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.480
 He's on hold

00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:40.240
 until further notice.

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:44.599
 Even at times

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.799
 when we feel like

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:47.599
 we are on hold,

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.200
 like nothing

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.419
 is going on,

00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.000
 rest assured

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.079
 that if we are

00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.859
 standing on the truth,

00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.940
 if we are doing

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.679
 what God

00:28:56.679 --> 00:28:58.240
 has called us to do,

00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.700
 even in those times

00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.339
 where we feel like

00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.220
 we're on hold,

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:03.460
 God is doing something.

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.079
 In verse 24,

00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.899
 we see that Felix

00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.819
 came down

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.559
 with his wife,

00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.359
 Drusilla,

00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.799
 who was Jewish.

00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:19.379
 Their relationship

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:21.519
 came with drama.

00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.039
 I don't want to talk

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.799
 about them too much,

00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.559
 but it helps to have

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.259
 a little bit

00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.879
 of knowledge

00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:28.139
 about who they are.

00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:30.099
 The marriage

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.879
 between Felix

00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.740
 and Drusilla

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:35.559
 was unbiblical

00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:37.319
 to say the least.

00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.899
 both were married.

00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:41.899
 She was in a marriage

00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:42.919
 with someone else

00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:44.639
 when he saw her

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.419
 and thought she was

00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:46.419
 the prettiest woman

00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.159
 in the world

00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:48.519
 and he actually,

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.559
 he actually used

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.720
 the help of a magician

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.960
 to convince her

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.099
 to leave her husband

00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:57.379
 and come marry him.

00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.520
 I'm not sure

00:29:58.520 --> 00:29:59.360
 how that worked,

00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:02.160
 but he's in his 50s

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.160
 and she's like

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.400
 22 years old.

00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.460
 They both

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:08.700
 had connections.

00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:09.640
 They both

00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.280
 had wealth.

00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:10.780
 They both

00:30:10.780 --> 00:30:12.420
 came from a line

00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:14.420
 of power

00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:16.260
 and they both

00:30:16.260 --> 00:30:17.120
 knew

00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:18.340
 how to get

00:30:18.340 --> 00:30:19.200
 what they wanted.

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:21.880
 that's,

00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:23.120
 that's this marriage

00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:24.080
 between Felix

00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:24.500
 the governor

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.940
 and his wife

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.720
 Drusilla.

00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:28.580
 Oddly enough,

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.920
 they send for Paul

00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.460
 and it says

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.279
 that they heard him

00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.660
 speak about faith

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.720
 in Jesus Christ.

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.559
 They know

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.440
 what Paul's about.

00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:38.779
 They,

00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:39.840
 they knew the gospel

00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:40.559
 that he spoke

00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.519
 and yet for some reason

00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.460
 they asked him

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.700
 to come

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.920
 so they could hear him.

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.240
 There was something

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:48.059
 that drew

00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:50.039
 them to hear

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.960
 what he had to say.

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.240
 Some,

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.279
 some curiosity

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.720
 that had to be fed.

00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.480
 Drusilla was a Jew

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.819
 so we can expect

00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.539
 that Paul

00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:00.519
 talked about

00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.740
 Jesus of Nazareth

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.779
 but not just that,

00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:02.980
 how,

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.960
 how he was

00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.839
 more than just

00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.500
 a good teacher.

00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.259
 How he was

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.279
 crucified.

00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.039
 How he was

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.079
 the son of God.

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.880
 How he had been

00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.859
 prophesied

00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.700
 to come.

00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.380
 How he was

00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.460
 the perfect sacrifice.

00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.579
 The lamb

00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.139
 slain for our sins.

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.399
 The,

00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:18.240
 the savior,

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:20.079
 the hope of salvation.

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.059
 Verse 25

00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:25.220
 says that

00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.240
 he reasoned

00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.139
 about righteousness,

00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.839
 about self-control

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.740
 and about

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.619
 the coming judgment.

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.500
 So,

00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:32.699
 after Paul

00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:33.460
 tells them

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.299
 about who Jesus

00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.119
 is,

00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.279
 he tells them

00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.079
 about these things.

00:31:37.179 --> 00:31:37.720
 Righteousness,

00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.439
 self-control

00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:40.039
 and the coming judgment.

00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.419
 See,

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.419
 Paul knew

00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:43.439
 there was

00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:44.659
 what their

00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.440
 relationship

00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:47.080
 came with.

00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.120
 Felix's life

00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.840
 was one of

00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.900
 cruelty

00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.900
 and injustice.

00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.460
 Through repentance

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.560
 and belief in Jesus,

00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.840
 there can be

00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.440
 righteousness

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.620
 even for someone

00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.240
 like Felix.

00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.019
 Their marriage

00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.880
 was based on

00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:03.860
 immorality

00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:05.600
 and self-indulgence.

00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:06.820
 So,

00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.560
 Paul spoke

00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:08.660
 about self-control.

00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:11.440
 And lastly,

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.940
 Paul talked about

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.500
 the judgment

00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.220
 of God

00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.240
 and how it

00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.000
 could be avoided.

00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.560
 These were

00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:18.519
 serious matters.

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.540
 Some people

00:32:20.540 --> 00:32:21.160
 may have just

00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.980
 brushed him off,

00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:23.200
 but in the process

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:24.200
 of listening to Paul,

00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:25.640
 Felix became afraid.

00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.340
 It says that he was

00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:28.620
 alarmed

00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:30.060
 and told Paul

00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:30.920
 to go away

00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.920
 and that he would

00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:33.340
 summon him later.

00:32:34.040 --> 00:32:35.240
 He was shaken up,

00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:37.059
 but his ears

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.299
 weren't closed up.

00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:41.319
 It says that Felix

00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.259
 would send for Paul

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.500
 often and converse

00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.019
 with him.

00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.680
 He wanted money

00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.240
 from Paul,

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.359
 but he also

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.480
 wanted to hear more.

00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.279
 He wanted Paul

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.380
 to pay a bribe,

00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.980
 but Paul kept

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.700
 preaching

00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:55.000
 the truth.

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.039
 And this goes on

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.960
 for two years.

00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:57.920
 How long

00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.079
 in that process

00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:01.180
 do you think

00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.880
 it was before

00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.460
 he realized

00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:02.940
 that Paul

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.539
 wasn't going

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.380
 to give him money?

00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:06.220
 And yet he continued

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:07.720
 to call Paul

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.440
 to him

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.860
 and talk to him

00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:11.640
 about the word.

00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.860
 We don't know

00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.420
 if Felix

00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:16.020
 ever trusted in Jesus.

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.900
 It seems obvious

00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.820
 that by the point

00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:19.240
 of the end

00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.800
 of this story

00:33:19.800 --> 00:33:20.420
 that he hadn't

00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:22.140
 because while

00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:22.740
 he was governor

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.740
 he left Paul

00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.340
 in prison

00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:25.220
 as a favor

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.120
 to the Jews.

00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:27.720
 But he heard

00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:28.280
 the gospel.

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.820
 He heard the truth

00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.900
 of who Jesus is.

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.800
 And in the beginning

00:33:32.800 --> 00:33:33.560
 at least

00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.480
 he was alarmed

00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.059
 by it.

00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.359
 So there was

00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:36.940
 some part

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.819
 of what he heard

00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.859
 that was starting

00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.679
 to sink in.

00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:40.720
 Something that he

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.259
 was starting

00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.940
 to believe

00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:43.740
 and was afraid of.

00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.179
 But there was

00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:46.220
 no repentance

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.960
 that we ever saw.

00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.659
 I bring that out

00:33:49.659 --> 00:33:51.059
 because if you're here

00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.759
 this morning

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.859
 and you're not

00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.319
 a believer

00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:55.579
 there is something

00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.599
 that might be

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.980
 tugging at your ear.

00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.779
 Something that might

00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.299
 be tugging

00:33:59.299 --> 00:34:00.039
 at your heart

00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:01.019
 as we read

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.099
 through this passage

00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:05.180
 it's the Holy Spirit

00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.859
 wanting to get

00:34:05.859 --> 00:34:06.500
 your attention.

00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.259
 And so

00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:12.759
 my plea to you

00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.300
 would be not

00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.500
 to ignore that.

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.840
 Satan wants you

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:17.139
 to push this off.

00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.820
 My guess is that

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:20.019
 Satan was successful

00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:21.000
 in pushing it off

00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.860
 with Felix.

00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.360
 He wants the world

00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.039
 around us

00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.739
 to lull us

00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.599
 back to sleep.

00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.779
 So the truth

00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.480
 of the gospel

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.900
 doesn't make its way

00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.779
 into our heart.

00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.579
 But I'm telling you

00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.460
 that the Holy Spirit

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.980
 wants to wake you up

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.839
 this morning.

00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.960
 So don't miss

00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.599
 an opportunity

00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.799
 like Felix did

00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:43.199
 to hear the gospel.

00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.159
 After the end

00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:47.880
 of the service

00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:49.880
 we break the chairs down

00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.539
 and we kind of

00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:52.339
 leave this room.

00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.699
 I will be

00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:55.019
 in the common room

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.579
 and if you feel

00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.679
 like you want to pray

00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:58.500
 you want to talk

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.420
 you have questions

00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:01.099
 I will be in there.

00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.319
 There isn't anything

00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:03.539
 that's more important

00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.900
 than getting

00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:06.599
 this right

00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.480
 if it's something

00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.139
 that you're struggling

00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.940
 with this morning.

00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.799
 And so I would

00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.259
 encourage you

00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:11.139
 to come see me

00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:11.860
 come see Sean

00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:14.420
 and let's take it

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.719
 to the Lord

00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.400
 and pray about it

00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:16.739
 together.

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.599
 It's at this point

00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.480
 that Felix

00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.739
 is replaced

00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:24.840
 by Portius Festus

00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.519
 the new governor.

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.980
 Oddly enough

00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:29.059
 Felix gets

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.900
 replaced

00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.880
 because he

00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:32.880
 was unable

00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:33.699
 to deal with

00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.800
 a different dispute

00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.619
 between the Jews

00:35:35.619 --> 00:35:36.420
 and the Gentiles.

00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:36.900
 So you see

00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.759
 he has a history

00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:39.400
 of not doing

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.239
 things right

00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:41.559
 and he's no longer

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.980
 the governor.

00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:43.719
 That brings us

00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:44.800
 to chapter 25.

00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:47.360
 We have a new governor.

00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:49.119
 Looks like we might

00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:49.599
 be going through

00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:51.199
 the same redo

00:35:51.199 --> 00:35:52.559
 in the trial

00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.539
 that we did before

00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.539
 but we start

00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:55.039
 to see maybe

00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.679
 there's a chance

00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.519
 of something different

00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.219
 because this guy

00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:57.800
 Festus

00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:58.920
 he actually makes

00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.719
 a strong stand

00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:00.500
 against the Jews

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.139
 in the beginning.

00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.320
 The Jews make

00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.000
 this request

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.860
 for Paul to be

00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.320
 brought down

00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:04.960
 to Jerusalem

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:06.059
 you know

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.599
 like they want

00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.219
 to be honest

00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.719
 and sweet

00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:08.179
 and give him

00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:08.920
 a different trial.

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:09.920
 They really want

00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:10.440
 to ambush

00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.380
 and kill him.

00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:12.360
 We don't know

00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.440
 if Festus knew that

00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.139
 whether he did

00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:14.559
 or not.

00:36:14.699 --> 00:36:15.619
 He still denies him.

00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.019
 He says

00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:17.099
 I'm going

00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.019
 to Caesarea

00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:18.820
 shortly.

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.900
 You guys have

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.840
 something against this

00:36:20.840 --> 00:36:21.600
 Paul come

00:36:21.600 --> 00:36:22.039
 with me

00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:23.019
 and we will

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.960
 take it to

00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:25.559
 the tribune

00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:26.680
 when I have

00:36:26.680 --> 00:36:27.640
 a seat on that.

00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.780
 And so after a few days

00:36:28.780 --> 00:36:30.019
 Festus goes down

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.960
 he takes his seat

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.120
 he orders Paul

00:36:33.120 --> 00:36:33.860
 brought in

00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:35.079
 and like the trial

00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:35.900
 before we see

00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.840
 Paul's accusers

00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:38.559
 throwing these

00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.240
 accusations

00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:40.500
 against him

00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:41.840
 and like before

00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:42.640
 they are unable

00:36:42.640 --> 00:36:43.340
 to prove

00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:44.480
 any of them.

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.800
 In verse 8

00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:47.780
 of chapter 25

00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:48.440
 he says

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:49.720
 Paul this is Paul

00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.819
 neither against

00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:51.899
 the law of the Jews

00:36:51.899 --> 00:36:52.819
 neither against

00:36:52.819 --> 00:36:53.339
 the temple

00:36:53.339 --> 00:36:54.839
 nor against Caesar

00:36:54.839 --> 00:36:55.980
 have I committed

00:36:55.980 --> 00:36:56.739
 any offense.

00:36:57.899 --> 00:36:58.879
 We see here

00:36:58.879 --> 00:36:59.239
 that Paul

00:36:59.239 --> 00:36:59.939
 is starting

00:36:59.939 --> 00:37:00.719
 to make this

00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.259
 transition

00:37:01.259 --> 00:37:02.639
 to where he is

00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:03.659
 to go into Rome.

00:37:03.759 --> 00:37:04.019
 He knows

00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:04.659
 that's where God

00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:05.419
 wants him to go

00:37:05.419 --> 00:37:07.259
 and so he says

00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:08.739
 that even against

00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.099
 Caesar

00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.980
 I have not committed

00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:10.799
 any offense.

00:37:12.939 --> 00:37:13.399
 Again

00:37:13.399 --> 00:37:13.879
 the governor

00:37:13.879 --> 00:37:15.419
 has no civil

00:37:15.419 --> 00:37:15.959
 charge

00:37:15.959 --> 00:37:17.119
 to hold Paul

00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:19.019
 and because

00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.659
 the Jews

00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:21.279
 because of

00:37:21.279 --> 00:37:21.899
 favoritism

00:37:21.899 --> 00:37:23.139
 towards them

00:37:23.139 --> 00:37:24.359
 he's kind of

00:37:24.359 --> 00:37:24.719
 stuck

00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.519
 he doesn't

00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:25.779
 know what

00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:26.199
 to do.

00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.440
 He doesn't

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:27.799
 want to hold

00:37:27.799 --> 00:37:27.940
 him

00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.460
 he doesn't

00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:28.659
 want to

00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:29.179
 release him

00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.940
 so he

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.359
 remembers

00:37:30.359 --> 00:37:30.859
 the Jews

00:37:30.859 --> 00:37:31.440
 request

00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:32.359
 he's like

00:37:32.359 --> 00:37:33.480
 Paul

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:33.739
 do you

00:37:33.739 --> 00:37:33.940
 want to

00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.379
 go back

00:37:34.379 --> 00:37:35.279
 to Jerusalem

00:37:35.279 --> 00:37:35.719
 thinking

00:37:35.719 --> 00:37:36.139
 that that

00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:36.359
 would

00:37:36.359 --> 00:37:37.019
 make the

00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.339
 Jews

00:37:37.339 --> 00:37:38.099
 happy.

00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:39.759
 Paul

00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:40.079
 knows

00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.579
 his hopes

00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:41.000
 are better

00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.500
 with the

00:37:41.500 --> 00:37:41.819
 Romans

00:37:41.819 --> 00:37:42.420
 than with

00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:43.019
 the Jews

00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:44.000
 and so

00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:44.639
 he does

00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:45.039
 not want

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.379
 to take

00:37:45.379 --> 00:37:46.000
 this deal.

00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.379
 He says

00:37:47.379 --> 00:37:47.699
 I'm not

00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:48.219
 looking to

00:37:48.219 --> 00:37:48.659
 escape

00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:49.179
 punishment

00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:49.559
 if I

00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:49.899
 have done

00:37:49.899 --> 00:37:50.279
 something

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:50.619
 wrong

00:37:50.619 --> 00:37:52.619
 but I

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:52.859
 haven't

00:37:52.859 --> 00:37:53.059
 done

00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:53.379
 anything

00:37:53.379 --> 00:37:53.799
 wrong

00:37:53.799 --> 00:37:54.500
 Festus

00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:55.419
 and you

00:37:55.419 --> 00:37:55.960
 know it

00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:57.879
 and since

00:37:57.879 --> 00:37:58.639
 their accusations

00:37:58.639 --> 00:37:59.319
 were false

00:37:59.319 --> 00:37:59.960
 the governor

00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.399
 could not

00:38:00.399 --> 00:38:00.859
 force

00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:01.279
 Paul

00:38:01.279 --> 00:38:02.539
 to go

00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:04.159
 and that's

00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:04.500
 when

00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:05.539
 Paul

00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.139
 realizes

00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:06.879
 that he

00:38:06.879 --> 00:38:07.839
 needs

00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.219
 to

00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:09.179
 make

00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:09.799
 a plea

00:38:09.799 --> 00:38:10.519
 to Caesar

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.199
 because he's

00:38:11.199 --> 00:38:11.559
 unsure

00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.279
 where things

00:38:12.279 --> 00:38:12.719
 are going.

00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:13.419
 I don't

00:38:13.419 --> 00:38:13.579
 want to

00:38:13.579 --> 00:38:13.919
 go back

00:38:13.919 --> 00:38:14.299
 to the

00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:14.639
 Jews

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.199
 I don't

00:38:15.199 --> 00:38:15.359
 know

00:38:15.359 --> 00:38:15.679
 what

00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.279
 this

00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:17.619
 Festus

00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.199
 is doing

00:38:18.199 --> 00:38:19.159
 so he

00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:19.579
 says

00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.539
 that I

00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.159
 appeal

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.420
 to

00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:21.779
 Caesar

00:38:21.779 --> 00:38:22.420
 this

00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:22.900
 obviously

00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:23.339
 catches

00:38:23.339 --> 00:38:24.059
 Festus

00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.500
 off guard

00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:24.900
 he doesn't

00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.139
 know what

00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:25.519
 to do

00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:26.639
 he talks

00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.019
 with his

00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:27.379
 council

00:38:27.379 --> 00:38:27.879
 on the

00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:28.239
 side

00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:28.900
 and then

00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.179
 he comes

00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:29.599
 back and

00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:29.900
 says

00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:31.279
 you appeal

00:38:31.279 --> 00:38:31.739
 to Caesar

00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.440
 so to

00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:32.980
 Caesar

00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.980
 you will

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.319
 go

00:38:34.319 --> 00:38:35.799
 and Paul

00:38:35.799 --> 00:38:36.960
 continues

00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:38.300
 to remain

00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.340
 arrested

00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:40.099
 and in

00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:40.559
 prison

00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:41.400
 until

00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:42.159
 whenever

00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:43.260
 this

00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:44.059
 moves

00:38:44.059 --> 00:38:44.579
 on

00:38:44.579 --> 00:38:45.000
 to

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:45.400
 Rome

00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:48.599
 interesting

00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:49.079
 passage

00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:49.480
 because

00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:50.220
 it's in

00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:50.639
 the middle

00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:51.019
 of

00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:52.440
 he's already

00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:53.000
 been arrested

00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:53.579
 he's already

00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:54.179
 been tried

00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:54.780
 he's tried

00:38:54.780 --> 00:38:55.199
 again

00:38:55.199 --> 00:38:55.960
 and there's

00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:56.380
 no end

00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:56.780
 result

00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.500
 he's

00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.019
 he's just

00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:58.760
 left there

00:38:58.760 --> 00:39:00.000
 and so

00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:01.760
 it

00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:02.840
 we can

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.500
 find ourselves

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.039
 left

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.639
 there

00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:05.179
 feeling

00:39:05.179 --> 00:39:05.519
 like

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:05.880
 I don't

00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:06.059
 know

00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.519
 what God

00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.079
 is doing

00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:08.199
 but like

00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:08.639
 Paul

00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:09.259
 if we

00:39:09.259 --> 00:39:09.840
 if we're

00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.179
 standing

00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:10.599
 on the

00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:10.960
 truth

00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:11.460
 and if

00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:11.599
 we're

00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:11.960
 listening

00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:12.320
 to God

00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:12.659
 and doing

00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:12.940
 what

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.480
 what he

00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:13.880
 wants us

00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:14.179
 to be

00:39:14.179 --> 00:39:14.519
 doing

00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.340
 then

00:39:15.340 --> 00:39:15.780
 like I

00:39:15.780 --> 00:39:15.920
 said

00:39:15.920 --> 00:39:16.239
 we can

00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:16.800
 rest assured

00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:17.199
 that he

00:39:17.199 --> 00:39:17.519
 is at

00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:17.840
 work

00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:18.940
 so as

00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.300
 we close

00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:19.659
 just a

00:39:19.659 --> 00:39:19.840
 couple

00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.199
 things

00:39:20.199 --> 00:39:20.619
 for us

00:39:20.619 --> 00:39:20.980
 to think

00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:21.280
 about

00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:26.000
 we are

00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.360
 called

00:39:26.360 --> 00:39:26.739
 to

00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:27.980
 die

00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:28.699
 to

00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:29.259
 ourselves

00:39:29.259 --> 00:39:31.360
 so that

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:31.519
 in

00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:31.960
 everything

00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:32.400
 like

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:32.820
 Paul

00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:33.579
 if it's

00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:33.900
 with our

00:39:33.900 --> 00:39:34.300
 speech

00:39:34.300 --> 00:39:34.699
 if it's

00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:35.119
 with our

00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:35.739
 relationships

00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:37.159
 whether

00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:38.079
 relationships

00:39:38.079 --> 00:39:38.839
 with Christians

00:39:38.839 --> 00:39:39.559
 or relationships

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:40.299
 to crooked

00:39:40.299 --> 00:39:41.119
 governors

00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:42.579
 we can

00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:43.119
 live like

00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:43.599
 Christ

00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.719
 we're to

00:39:44.719 --> 00:39:45.279
 die to

00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:45.799
 ourselves

00:39:45.799 --> 00:39:46.219
 so that

00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:46.539
 we can

00:39:46.539 --> 00:39:47.079
 more live

00:39:47.079 --> 00:39:47.439
 like

00:39:47.439 --> 00:39:48.199
 Christ

00:39:48.199 --> 00:39:50.479
 that should

00:39:50.479 --> 00:39:50.779
 affect

00:39:50.779 --> 00:39:51.419
 everything we

00:39:51.419 --> 00:39:51.679
 do

00:39:51.679 --> 00:39:52.379
 that should

00:39:52.379 --> 00:39:52.659
 affect

00:39:52.659 --> 00:39:53.000
 every

00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.679
 relationship

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.279
 that we're

00:39:54.279 --> 00:39:54.719
 in

00:39:54.719 --> 00:40:24.719


00:40:24.719 --> 00:40:54.719


00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:54.919
 may it

00:40:54.919 --> 00:40:55.019
 be

00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.039
 may it be

00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:55.439
 the name

00:40:55.439 --> 00:40:55.619
 of

00:40:55.619 --> 00:40:56.059
 Christ

00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:58.879
 and the

00:40:58.879 --> 00:40:59.859
 verse

00:40:59.859 --> 00:41:00.739
 to end

00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:01.399
 our

00:41:01.399 --> 00:41:02.039
 passage

00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:02.619
 this morning

00:41:02.619 --> 00:41:03.259
 is Ephesians

00:41:03.259 --> 00:41:04.139
 4 15

00:41:04.139 --> 00:41:05.419
 rather

00:41:05.419 --> 00:41:06.459
 speaking the

00:41:06.459 --> 00:41:06.939
 truth in

00:41:06.939 --> 00:41:07.279
 love

00:41:07.279 --> 00:41:08.399
 we are to

00:41:08.399 --> 00:41:08.839
 grow up

00:41:08.839 --> 00:41:09.299
 in every

00:41:09.299 --> 00:41:09.659
 way

00:41:09.659 --> 00:41:10.779
 into him

00:41:10.779 --> 00:41:11.699
 who is the

00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:12.099
 head

00:41:12.099 --> 00:41:12.819
 into

00:41:12.819 --> 00:41:13.319
 Christ

00:41:13.319 --> 00:41:15.339
 let's

00:41:15.339 --> 00:41:15.679
 pray

00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.399
 together

00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:22.320
 Lord we pray

00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:22.619
 that

00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:24.019
 this morning

00:41:24.019 --> 00:41:24.860
 and this

00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:25.360
 afternoon

00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:27.019
 next week

00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:29.420
 whatever

00:41:29.420 --> 00:41:30.380
 whatever

00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:31.059
 situation

00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:31.780
 we find

00:41:31.780 --> 00:41:32.380
 us in

00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:33.220
 Lord we pray

00:41:33.220 --> 00:41:33.599
 that you

00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:34.019
 would

00:41:34.019 --> 00:41:35.639
 bring to

00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:36.099
 mind

00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:37.420
 how we

00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:37.780
 are to

00:41:37.780 --> 00:41:38.139
 act

00:41:38.139 --> 00:41:38.980
 bring to

00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:39.360
 mind

00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:40.180
 the truth

00:41:40.180 --> 00:41:41.079
 that we

00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.539
 are to

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.940
 say

00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:43.119
 the truth

00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:43.739
 that we

00:41:43.739 --> 00:41:44.099
 are to

00:41:44.099 --> 00:41:44.900
 stand in

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:46.259
 so that

00:41:46.259 --> 00:41:46.739
 we are not

00:41:46.739 --> 00:41:47.159
 seeking

00:41:47.159 --> 00:41:47.719
 ourselves

00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:48.119
 that we

00:41:48.119 --> 00:41:48.679
 are seeking

00:41:48.679 --> 00:41:49.819
 Christ

00:41:49.819 --> 00:41:50.799
 in his

00:41:50.799 --> 00:41:51.079
 name

00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:51.440
 to be

00:41:51.440 --> 00:41:51.920
 exalted

00:41:51.920 --> 00:41:53.559
 Lord

00:41:53.559 --> 00:41:54.699
 this isn't

00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.299
 easy

00:41:55.299 --> 00:41:55.880
 and it

00:41:55.880 --> 00:41:56.179
 literally

00:41:56.179 --> 00:41:56.739
 means at

00:41:56.739 --> 00:41:57.000
 times

00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:57.299
 that we

00:41:57.299 --> 00:41:57.980
 die to

00:41:57.980 --> 00:41:59.039
 what

00:41:59.039 --> 00:41:59.880
 ourselves

00:41:59.880 --> 00:42:00.339
 want

00:42:00.339 --> 00:42:00.839
 what our

00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:01.259
 pride

00:42:01.259 --> 00:42:01.719
 wants

00:42:01.719 --> 00:42:02.239
 what we

00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:02.619
 want to

00:42:02.619 --> 00:42:02.779
 do

00:42:02.779 --> 00:42:03.079
 what's

00:42:03.079 --> 00:42:03.400
 easier

00:42:03.400 --> 00:42:03.759
 to do

00:42:03.759 --> 00:42:04.440
 what feels

00:42:04.440 --> 00:42:04.920
 right

00:42:04.920 --> 00:42:05.779
 Lord help

00:42:05.779 --> 00:42:06.139
 us to

00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.699
 die to

00:42:06.699 --> 00:42:07.039
 that

00:42:07.039 --> 00:42:07.859
 so that

00:42:07.859 --> 00:42:08.859
 we aren't

00:42:08.859 --> 00:42:10.359
 we aren't

00:42:10.359 --> 00:42:10.920
 made

00:42:10.920 --> 00:42:11.480
 larger

00:42:11.480 --> 00:42:12.179
 but Christ

00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:13.079
 is made

00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:13.460
 larger

00:42:13.460 --> 00:42:13.880
 through

00:42:13.880 --> 00:42:14.299
 us

00:42:14.299 --> 00:42:14.840
 Lord

00:42:14.840 --> 00:42:15.319
 may he

00:42:15.319 --> 00:42:15.539
 be

00:42:15.539 --> 00:42:16.039
 exalted

00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:16.539
 and not

00:42:16.539 --> 00:42:16.880
 us

00:42:16.880 --> 00:42:17.739
 and God

00:42:17.739 --> 00:42:18.420
 may you

00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:18.799
 get the

00:42:18.799 --> 00:42:19.159
 glory

00:42:19.159 --> 00:42:19.619
 in our

00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:20.000
 lives

00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:20.599
 and in

00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.039
 all

00:42:21.039 --> 00:42:21.819
 that we

00:42:21.819 --> 00:42:22.219
 do

00:42:22.219 --> 00:42:22.920
 and we

00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:23.480
 pray these

00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:23.900
 things in

00:42:23.900 --> 00:42:24.360
 your great

00:42:24.360 --> 00:42:25.099
 and holy

00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:25.519
 name

00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:26.279
 amen