WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.180 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word. 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:18.300 Heavenly Father, we confess that sometimes just a day-to-day grind 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:27.400 and the realities of this world push aside ultimate concerns 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:29.119 of eternity to the periphery. 00:00:33.420 --> 00:00:38.700 And so we return again with a posture of humble submission 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:43.320 before you and your word that you might address us, 00:00:44.519 --> 00:00:46.879 call us back to your purposes and priorities. 00:00:52.619 --> 00:00:55.759 We pray this morning that you would comfort those who are fearful, 00:00:55.759 --> 00:01:06.319 humble, embolden those who have been afraid or ashamed of the gospel. 00:01:08.759 --> 00:01:10.560 Exalt the name of your son, Jesus. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:15.180 Show us how precious he is. 00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:22.180 Amaze us anew with the sacrifice he made for us on the cross 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:25.140 and his resurrection. 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:33.080 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:33.580 --> 00:01:33.860 Amen. 00:01:33.860 --> 00:01:33.940 Amen. 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:39.719 Acts chapter 18, verses 1 to 23. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:50.620 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.120 and he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:57.359 recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:01.739 because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. 00:02:01.739 --> 00:02:06.319 And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade, 00:02:06.479 --> 00:02:09.919 he stayed with them and worked, for they were tent makers by trade. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:13.400 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:16.240 and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:20.400 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:22.359 Paul was occupied with the word, 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:26.199 testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:30.159 And when they opposed and reviled him, 00:02:30.299 --> 00:02:32.519 he shook out his garments and said to them, 00:02:33.179 --> 00:02:34.859 Your blood be on your own heads. 00:02:35.119 --> 00:02:35.859 I am innocent. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:38.759 From now on I will go to the Gentiles. 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:43.079 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justice, 00:02:43.699 --> 00:02:44.659 a worshiper of God. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:47.319 His house was next door to the synagogue. 00:02:49.079 --> 00:02:50.899 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, 00:02:51.299 --> 00:02:54.359 believed in the Lord together with his entire household. 00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:57.280 And many of the Corinthians, hearing Paul, 00:02:57.460 --> 00:02:58.860 believed and were baptized. 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:02.920 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, 00:03:04.040 --> 00:03:05.540 Do not be afraid, 00:03:06.380 --> 00:03:09.660 but go on speaking and do not be silent. 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:14.820 For I am with you, 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.840 and no one will attack you to harm you. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:23.120 For I have many in this city who are my people. 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:27.120 And he stayed a year and six months, 00:03:27.260 --> 00:03:28.620 teaching the word of God among them. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:32.100 But when Galileo was proconsul of Achaia, 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:35.220 the Jews made a united attack on Paul 00:03:35.220 --> 00:03:36.960 and brought him before the tribunal, 00:03:37.720 --> 00:03:38.000 saying, 00:03:38.640 --> 00:03:42.320 This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law. 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:46.379 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:47.979 Galileo said to the Jews, 00:03:48.139 --> 00:03:50.819 If it were a matter of wrongdoing or a vicious crime, 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:53.299 O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 00:03:53.939 --> 00:03:57.539 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, 00:03:57.859 --> 00:03:59.079 see to it yourselves. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:01.519 I refuse to be a judge of these things. 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:04.519 And he drove them from the tribunal. 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:09.000 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:11.320 and beat him in front of the tribunal. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:15.420 But Galileo paid no attention to any of this. 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.220 After this, Paul stayed many days longer 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:22.360 and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:23.980 and with him Priscilla and Aquila. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:27.500 At Santrea, he had cut his hair for he was under a vow. 00:04:27.960 --> 00:04:30.199 And they came to Ephesus and he left them there, 00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:33.340 but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:36.799 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:39.519 But on taking leave of them, he said, 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:42.019 I will return to you if God wills. 00:04:42.039 --> 00:04:43.659 And he set sail from Ephesus. 00:04:44.679 --> 00:04:47.819 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:49.779 and then went down to Antioch. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.779 After spending some time there, 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:54.099 he departed and went from one place to the next 00:04:54.099 --> 00:04:55.959 through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, 00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:58.239 strengthening all the disciples. 00:04:59.479 --> 00:05:01.539 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:06.799 Since chapter 13, 00:05:07.679 --> 00:05:10.560 we've been following the missionary efforts of Apostle Paul. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:13.279 And it's easy as we're following his missionary journeys 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:16.719 to think that he was an untiring missionary, 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:19.519 unfazed by persecutions, 00:05:19.859 --> 00:05:21.559 gladly enduring slander, 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:24.299 beating and stoning for the sake of Jesus Christ. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:28.079 However, we also should remember that, 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:31.020 you know, even though that was true to an extent, 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:33.720 that Paul was still just another mortal man, 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.460 like the rest of us. 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:39.960 He did gladly endure persecution for the sake of Christ, 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:43.259 but that doesn't mean that the persecutions that he endured 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:45.780 in and of himself was pleasant. 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:53.959 Even the Apostle Paul was not immune to pain or fear in his ministry. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:00.139 In his first letter to the Corinthians, 00:06:00.299 --> 00:06:03.500 after saying that God chose what is weak in the world 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:04.739 to shame the strong, 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:07.639 Paul recalls in 1 Corinthians 2, 3, 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:09.019 regarding his time with them, 00:06:09.119 --> 00:06:10.799 that I was with you in weakness 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:13.600 and in fear and much trembling. 00:06:15.900 --> 00:06:18.560 That was what was happening to Apostle Paul 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:19.740 when he was ministering to the Corinthians. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.040 And we see a glimpse here while he is in Corinth, 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:25.639 a glimpse of that weakness and fear and much trembling. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:39.240 Move back. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:51.199 Is that better? 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:52.199 Hopefully. 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:53.020 Yeah. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:00.199 I wonder if the sound is bouncing up the screen. 00:07:01.580 --> 00:07:02.019 No? 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:06.460 I don't know anything about these things. 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:06.540 Yes. 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:11.800 I don't know anything about these things. 00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:12.800 I don't know anything about these things. 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:17.340 So despite all the weakness and fear and trembling 00:07:17.340 --> 00:07:19.220 that Paul had while he was with them in Corinth, 00:07:19.460 --> 00:07:22.379 Paul persevered in his proclamation of the gospel. 00:07:22.900 --> 00:07:24.639 And this passage is really a clue, 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.500 key to how he was able to do that. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:29.060 It teaches us that God's presence 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:31.759 and God's people appointed for salvation 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:35.639 spur us on to persevere in our proclamation of the gospel. 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:38.099 So first, we're going to talk about God's presence, 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:39.500 his promise, I am with you. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:41.659 And second, we're going to talk about God's people 00:07:41.659 --> 00:07:44.839 when he says, I have many people in this city. 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:49.560 Even though he was waiting for Silas and Timothy 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:50.959 to rejoin him in Athens, 00:07:51.119 --> 00:07:53.699 it seems that Paul concluded that it was time for him 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:55.179 to leave Athens because he leaves 00:07:55.179 --> 00:07:57.339 and he arrives in Corinth. 00:07:58.159 --> 00:08:00.620 And after he's, when, at the time he arrived there, 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:02.120 Corinth was a Roman colony, 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:05.099 which was refounded by Julius Caesar at 44 BC 00:08:05.099 --> 00:08:08.299 after having been destroyed by the Romans earlier. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:12.639 And there in Corinth, Paul has an unexpected encounter 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:14.040 in verses two to three. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:16.600 It says, and he found a Jew named Aquila, 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:17.720 a native of Pontus, 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:20.000 recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:23.220 because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.980 And he went to see them. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:27.080 And because he was of the same trade, 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:28.480 he stayed with them and worked 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:30.480 for they were tent makers by trade. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:33.320 So Aquila and his wife Priscilla 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:36.240 had recently departed Rome and arrived in Corinth. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:39.120 This was because Emperor Claudius 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:41.019 had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. 00:08:41.560 --> 00:08:43.840 This is corroborated by other historical sources 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:45.919 that had happened in 49 AD. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:50.759 And most scholars understand this reference 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:53.940 by Suetonius, a Roman historian. 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:54.779 He puts it this way, 00:08:54.820 --> 00:08:57.279 since the Jews constantly made disturbances 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:59.539 at the instigation of Christus, 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:02.259 Claudius expelled them from Rome. 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:05.299 Most scholars understand that reference 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:07.539 Crestus to be a reference to Jesus, 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:08.759 to Christ, 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:10.979 which shows that Christian Jews 00:09:10.979 --> 00:09:13.240 were bearing witness throughout Rome 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:14.459 and among the Jews 00:09:14.459 --> 00:09:17.159 and making an impact all throughout the Roman Empire. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:20.339 And that, and the resulting turmoil 00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:21.879 within the Jewish community, 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:23.439 the upheaval there, 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:26.139 caused the emperor to expel the Jews. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:26.339 Amen. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:10:01.240 I keep hearing the ringing from behind me. 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:03.299 I'm sorry. 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:03.379 I'm sorry. 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:12.059 In God's sovereign providence, 00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:14.079 the expulsion of the Jews from Rome 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:16.859 actually led to Paul meeting Aquila and Priscilla. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:22.099 And this is amazing because Claudius would have never known, 00:10:22.219 --> 00:10:23.759 the emperor Claudius would have never known 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.099 that Aquila and Priscilla, 00:10:25.719 --> 00:10:26.859 whom he expelled from Rome, 00:10:26.939 --> 00:10:28.379 were tent makers by trade, 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:31.120 the same trade as the apostle Paul, 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:33.279 and that they would be able to partner, 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:35.080 form a dynamic partnership, 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:36.799 and they'd be financially viable 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:39.419 while they are proclaiming the gospel all over the place. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:42.200 Claudius would have never known 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:44.200 that Aquila and Priscilla would accompany 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:46.279 the great apostle to Ephesus, 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:48.480 as it says in verses 18 to 19, 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:50.940 and there serve as the hosts, 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:53.440 the home base for the Ephesian church. 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:57.000 Claudius would have never known 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:00.799 that Aquila and Priscilla would risk their necks for Paul's life, 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:03.440 as Paul says in Romans 16 verse 4, 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.220 so that all the churches of the Gentiles 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:09.519 who had benefited on Paul's ministry owe their thanks to Aquila and Priscilla. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:14.340 Claudius would have never known 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:16.639 that Aquila and Priscilla would not only 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:20.019 offer indispensable help to the apostle Paul, 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:23.019 but that they would also enlighten Apollos, 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:26.000 who was already described in Acts 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.899 as eloquent, competent in the scriptures, 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:30.159 fervent in spirit, and accurate in teaching, 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.819 but then they helped Apollos 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:35.439 to understand the way of God more accurately 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:37.379 so that they would go on powerfully 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:39.019 to refute the Jews in public, 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:41.960 showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:46.079 Claudius would have never known any of these things, 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:48.819 but that's the difference between man and God. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:53.840 Unlike Claudius, God sees and knows all things. 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:56.060 God is able to do all things, 00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:58.360 and God is present in all places. 00:11:59.020 --> 00:12:01.220 And so even the seeming bad news 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:04.740 of getting kicked out of the center of the Roman Empire, 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:06.280 the center of influence, 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.680 played right into God's sovereign hands. 00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:12.860 Even through these history-altering political upheaval, 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:16.180 God was with Aquila and Priscilla, 00:12:16.640 --> 00:12:17.520 and he was with Paul. 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:21.140 And there in Corinth, Paul does what he always does 00:12:21.140 --> 00:12:22.379 in every city he visits. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.300 He says in verse four, 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.400 and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath 00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:28.020 and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:30.140 And verse five tells us that 00:12:30.140 --> 00:12:32.480 when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:34.580 Paul was occupied with the word, 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:37.220 testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:42.180 The word occupied is the word that Luke uses 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:45.160 in various places to refer to being seized by something, 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.800 to be surrounded by something. 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:51.000 Paul was a man who was seized by, 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:54.000 captured by, surrounded by the word of Christ. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:57.820 He was absorbed in proclaiming the word of Christ. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.720 That was what was foremost on his mind, 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.460 that there are many things in life, 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.080 in our lives, 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.660 that we can occupy ourselves with, 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:07.139 that we do occupy ourselves with. 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.360 But we must take care to remember 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.440 that as God's people, 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:14.160 we are to be occupied with the word of Christ. 00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:18.280 We are no longer just fishers of fish. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.520 We are fishers of men. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:25.660 Paul was so invested in the proclamation of this word 00:13:25.660 --> 00:13:28.120 and so desirous of his Jewish compatriots 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:29.759 to repent and believe in Jesus, 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:33.379 that when they oppose and revile him, 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:36.340 it says he shook out his garments and said to them, 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.100 your blood be on your own heads. 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:38.860 I am innocent. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:41.279 From now on, I will go to the Gentiles. 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:46.060 Paul's strong reaction shows how deeply he cared 00:13:46.060 --> 00:13:47.480 about his Jewish brethren. 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:49.899 In Romans 9 verses 1 to 3, 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:50.379 Paul says, 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:53.700 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart, 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:56.960 for I could wish that I myself were accursed 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.220 and cut off from Christ 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.879 for the sake of my brothers, 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:02.620 my kinsmen according to the flesh. 00:14:03.560 --> 00:14:05.920 That's how badly he wanted the Jews 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:07.400 to come to faith in Jesus. 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:09.879 And that's why he reacts so strongly 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.640 when he is rebuffed. 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:13.640 Paul says, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:15.259 your blood be on your own heads. 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.160 I am innocent. 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:19.759 That's an expression that comes from Ezekiel chapter 33, 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:24.120 which says that when the watchman sees the enemy army approaching, 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:28.080 but then neglects to blow the trumpet to warn his people, 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.019 then when the city is destroyed, 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:30.980 God says, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.860 their blood will be on the watchman's head. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:38.120 However, if the watchman does blow the trumpet 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:41.580 to warn his city of the coming enemy, 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.700 and if they refuse to act, 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.259 they neglect to flee, 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:50.500 then their blood will be on their own heads. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.720 Paul's washing his hands clean here. 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.299 I warned you. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.639 I preached the gospel to you, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.340 but you refused to listen, 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:01.799 so your blood be on your own heads. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.039 I'm innocent. 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:06.840 Nowadays, many people in our society 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:09.500 are increasingly preoccupied with, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.559 you know, ethical consumption. 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:15.739 We recognize that how we buy 00:15:15.739 --> 00:15:16.819 and what we buy 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:18.579 and how we dispose of what we've used 00:15:18.579 --> 00:15:19.799 all have implications. 00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:24.859 We try to leave a smaller carbon footprint 00:15:24.859 --> 00:15:27.299 by driving Priuses, 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.119 electric vehicles. 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.719 Lucy just got a Prius. 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:36.819 We recycle and try to avoid single-use products 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:38.159 for the sake of our environment. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:41.500 We try to buy fair trade products 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.759 to make sure that farmers 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:45.000 and artisans and other laborers 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.659 who produce them 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.799 were paid fair wages 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.740 and not exploited. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.639 Some of us even try to eat 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.120 ethically sourced foods, 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:55.259 looking for free-range eggs, 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.079 grass-fed beef, and so on. 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:59.959 Some of us are very concerned 00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:01.980 about being unwittingly involved 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.439 in treating people, 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:06.720 even animals, unjustly. 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.959 In short, 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:12.139 we don't want blood on our hands. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:17.219 But do we also think about 00:16:17.219 --> 00:16:19.620 the urgency of evangelism 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:21.019 in this way? 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:25.139 God has already fixed a day 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.839 when he will judge the world 00:16:26.839 --> 00:16:27.740 with righteousness 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:29.319 by the man he has appointed 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:31.000 and he's given proof of this 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.459 by raising him from the dead. 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:35.100 Judgment day is coming 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:37.120 and we Christians 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.480 are the watchmen. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.899 Are we blowing the trumpet? 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.580 Are we sounding the alarm? 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:47.340 Are we sharing the gospel? 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.899 Are we innocent in this matter? 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:52.500 Or do we have blood on our hands? 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.340 Do we really believe 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.200 in the coming judgment? 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.379 Do we really believe 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.320 in heaven and hell? 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:03.560 If we really believe 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.380 that this is a matter 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.620 of life and death 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:06.940 and if we really believe 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:09.480 that people's eternal destiny 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.720 is at stake, 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:13.980 how can we not be occupied 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.799 with proclaiming Jesus 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:18.140 who alone can save them? 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.620 I've shared this once before, 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.400 but 20th century American pastor 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.720 Lee Rutten Scarborough 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.320 says this, 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:28.159 if we could only have 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.819 a five minute glimpse 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.599 into hell, 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.159 our evangelism 00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:33.919 would be changed 00:17:33.919 --> 00:17:34.799 for a lifetime. 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:40.299 People being tormented 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.939 in hell 00:17:40.939 --> 00:17:42.500 for eternity 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:45.859 are not going to be impressed 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.740 that we were too busy 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:49.220 doing other important things. 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:55.279 They're not going to be thankful 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.799 that we were too polite 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:59.399 and considerate 00:17:59.399 --> 00:18:01.519 to warn them 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.779 of this sobering reality. 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.579 This is why Paul faithfully 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.399 sounded the alarm 00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:10.319 to his fellow Jews, 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:12.299 but because they rejected 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.799 the gospel, 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.279 Paul says, 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:14.039 from now on, 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.180 I will go to the Gentiles. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.279 This doesn't mean 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.579 that Paul will never again 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.519 preach to the Jews. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.299 He's just saying 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.599 that while he's in Corinth, 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:23.099 he is turning his attention 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.420 now to the Gentiles 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.240 and he's turning his attention 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.660 to the Gentiles. 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.019 In verse 7, 00:18:26.060 --> 00:18:26.820 he goes to the house 00:18:26.820 --> 00:18:27.880 of Titius Justice, 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.900 who was a Gentile God-fearer 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.500 who had apparently 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.200 listened to Paul 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.759 in the synagogue 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.500 and converted. 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:35.240 And as Paul leaves the Jews, 00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:36.740 he shakes out his garment, 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.900 which is a similar gesture 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:39.259 as shaking off the dust 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.400 from your feet. 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:42.519 That's what Jesus taught 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.600 his disciples to do 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.440 when a town or city 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.500 rejects their message. 00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.820 It was a common practice 00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:48.560 among the Jews 00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:50.060 to shake off the dust 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:50.720 from their feet 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.740 when they were leaving 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:53.539 Gentile territory. 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.700 It was their way 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:57.680 of shaking the uncleanness 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.599 off of their feet, 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.019 saying in effect 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.559 that they don't want 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.140 anything to do 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.819 with the Gentiles. 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.420 What's remarkable 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:05.440 about Jesus' teaching 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:07.299 was that he was sending 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:07.799 his disciples 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.799 to Jewish towns. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.960 And he was saying, 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.880 if they reject you 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.480 as you're leaving 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.500 these Jewish towns, 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.120 you should wipe the dust 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.000 off of your feet. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.539 That's a shocking message 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.120 because what he is saying is 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.359 it doesn't matter 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.459 if you are Jewish. 00:19:23.239 --> 00:19:24.819 If you reject the Messiah, 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:26.019 if you reject Jesus, 00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:27.779 you cannot be saved. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.299 And so Paul here, 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:34.159 leaving the Jewish synagogue, 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.519 shakes his garment off. 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:39.500 That means it doesn't matter 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.199 what your ethnic 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.579 or racial background is. 00:19:42.659 --> 00:19:43.439 Doesn't matter 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:44.399 what your ancestry 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:46.559 or spiritual pedigree is. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:48.839 If you yourself 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.940 do not pledge 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.919 allegiance to Jesus, 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.000 you will not be saved. 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:55.700 The ground is level 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.960 at the foot of the cross. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.399 And only those 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.220 who bow the knee 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.319 before King Jesus 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.679 enter into the kingdom of God. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:06.079 Though most Corinthian Jews, 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.619 it seems, 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.399 rejected Christ, 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.339 not all of them did 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.500 because verse 8 tells us 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.399 that Crispus, 00:20:10.679 --> 00:20:11.700 the ruler of the synagogue, 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.099 believed in the Lord 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:15.200 together with his entire household. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:17.420 And many of the Corinthians 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:19.039 hearing Paul believed 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.720 and were baptized. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.980 So now you can imagine 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.720 what's about to happen 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.640 if you've been with us 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:25.460 through this series 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.220 in the book of Acts. 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.880 The Jews have effectively 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.259 kicked Paul out of their synagogue, 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.000 preventing him 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.860 from teaching there 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.660 so that Paul had to get 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.360 a new venue. 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:35.380 But one of their own, 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.480 the ruler of the synagogue, 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.960 the person in charge 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.920 of their religious, 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.640 administrative, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.880 and political affairs, 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.640 believed in the Lord. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:47.039 This is remarkable. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.980 It's also a cause 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.980 for deep shame 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.680 among the Jews. 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.120 They were making 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:52.039 a concerted effort 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:54.080 to oppose and revile Paul. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.900 They were trying 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.519 to contradict his teaching 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.640 and they were impugning 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.360 Paul's motives. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.480 They were maligning 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.319 his character, 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.340 trying to prove 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:02.960 that his teaching 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.240 that Jesus is the Messiah 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.400 is contrary 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.680 to the Old Testament Scriptures. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.640 But as they are 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:10.299 effectively opposing Paul, 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.900 their most learned 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.540 and respected member 00:21:13.540 --> 00:21:15.840 converts and joins Paul. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.820 This significantly 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:19.040 undermines their effort 00:21:19.040 --> 00:21:19.860 and it's embarrassing 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:20.220 for them. 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.300 And not only that, 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.300 not only Crispus, 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.620 but many of the Corinthians 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.580 hearing Paul 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.740 believed and were baptized. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.200 And if you follow 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.680 the pattern 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.380 in the book of Acts, 00:21:30.860 --> 00:21:31.680 fruitful ministry 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.320 for Paul 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:33.540 always spells 00:21:33.540 --> 00:21:34.440 trouble for him. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.140 It's followed 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.780 by suffering 00:21:36.780 --> 00:21:37.420 and persecution. 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.180 When Paul was in 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:40.180 Pisidian Antioch 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.120 in chapter 13 00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:42.420 verses 45 to 47 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.080 when the Jews 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:44.200 saw the crowds 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.920 that were gathering 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.700 around Paul 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.779 that he was popular 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.259 a lot of people 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.060 wanted to hear him. 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.600 He says they were filled 00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.460 with jealousy 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.720 and began to contradict 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.779 what was spoken 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:54.279 by Paul reviling him. 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.720 And then they incited 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.320 the people 00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:57.620 and they drove Paul 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.240 out of the city. 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.980 When Paul was in Iconium 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.820 in chapter 14 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.660 verses 2 to 7 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.580 similar things 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:04.680 the unbelieving Jews 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.860 stirred up the Gentiles 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.980 and poisoned their minds 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.759 against the brothers. 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:08.799 And they tried 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.720 to stone Paul. 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.039 In Lystra 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.900 in chapter 14 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.539 verse 19 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:14.180 the Jews came 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.880 and persecuted him 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.560 and they actually 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.240 stoned him 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.799 and left him for dead 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.779 even though he survived. 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.340 In Thessalonica 00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.160 in chapter 17 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.660 verse 5 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.480 the Jews were again 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.340 he says jealous 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:24.820 and taking some wicked 00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:25.700 men of the rabble 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.680 they formed a mob 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.360 and set the city 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:27.840 in an uproar 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.720 and attacked the house 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.140 of Jason 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.480 where Paul was staying. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.360 And then these Jews 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.259 followed Paul 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.940 into Berea 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.140 and there agitated 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:35.620 and stirred up 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.320 the crowds again 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.279 so that he had to flee 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.420 once again. 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:40.000 he just can't 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.580 catch a break. 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.460 So imagine 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.620 being in his shoes. 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.080 Don't you think 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:45.580 you'd be just 00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.700 a little bit afraid? 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:49.240 A little bit afraid 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.820 of your own 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.600 ministry success? 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.460 It's not that Paul 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.039 was unwilling 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.300 to suffer for Christ's sake. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.180 He says later 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.980 in chapter 21 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.620 verse 13 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.519 I'm ready not only 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.279 to be imprisoned 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.620 but even to die 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:07.319 for the name 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.939 of the Lord Jesus. 00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:10.199 He was a Christian 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:11.319 soldier who was ready 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.659 to lay down his life 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.359 in the battlefield 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:15.359 but that did not 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.219 make the violent 00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:16.839 persecution 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.859 that he endured 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.779 pleasant. 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.479 And Paul was weary 00:23:22.479 --> 00:23:24.559 and apprehensive. 00:23:25.979 --> 00:23:27.459 His missionary journeys 00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:28.279 have been long 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.899 and arduous 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.659 and he had many 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.479 battle scars 00:23:30.479 --> 00:23:31.379 to show for it 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.600 and we know 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.100 that Paul 00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:33.780 was afraid 00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:34.720 of being attacked 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.200 and harmed 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.940 because the Lord 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.980 appears to him 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.840 in a vision 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:39.140 to reassure him 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.400 in verses 9 to 10 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:42.460 to not be afraid 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.640 but go on speaking 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.900 and do not be silent 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:47.040 for I am with you 00:23:47.040 --> 00:23:48.740 and no one 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.880 will attack you 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.080 to harm you 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:52.980 for I have many 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.560 in this city 00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:54.460 who are my people. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:57.060 Verse 9 contains 00:23:57.060 --> 00:23:57.860 two commands 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.559 and verse 10 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:01.219 supplies the two grounds 00:24:01.219 --> 00:24:02.079 the reasons 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.679 the basis 00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:04.439 for those two commands. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.779 The first command 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.659 is the first half 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.139 of verse 9 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:08.519 do not be afraid 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.639 and the reason 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.039 for this 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.819 is in the first half 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.339 of verse 10 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.959 for I am with you 00:24:12.959 --> 00:24:13.479 and no one 00:24:13.479 --> 00:24:14.059 will attack you 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:14.659 to harm you. 00:24:15.979 --> 00:24:17.119 Paul is commanded 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.879 not to be afraid 00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.559 because of God's 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.500 protective presence. 00:24:20.459 --> 00:24:21.699 God has personally 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.839 guaranteed his safety 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.439 in Corinth 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:25.159 from the attack. 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.819 The second command 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.699 is in the second half 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.220 of verse 9 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.580 but go on speaking 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.779 and do not be silent 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:32.220 and the reason 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.620 for that 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:32.900 is given 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.660 in the second half 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.299 of verse 10 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.960 for I have many 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.799 in this city 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.519 who are my people. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.759 Paul is to continue 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.680 proclaiming the gospel 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.740 because there are many 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.860 in that city 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:45.259 whom God has appointed 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.000 for salvation. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.319 We'll look at these promises 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:49.759 in turn 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.539 but first let's look 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.279 at the promise 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.200 of God's presence. 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.640 Do not be afraid 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:55.600 for I am with you 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:56.360 and no one 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.080 will attack you 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:57.620 to harm you. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:25:00.220 This is an amazing 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.220 kindness of God 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.080 if you think about it. 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.580 God didn't owe Paul 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.240 anything. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.940 Paul was a rebel 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.240 who was persecuting 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.019 the church of God 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.360 but he was saved 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.580 by God's mercy 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.500 and grace alone 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.759 from the fires of hell. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.539 Paul often describes 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.620 himself in his letters 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.340 as a slave of Christ, 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.500 a servant 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:23.279 who is completely disposed 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.799 to the will 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.480 of his master. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:27.400 God could have 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.200 had Paul endure 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.120 another round 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.220 of beatings 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.880 and stonings 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.559 in Corinth. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.339 It would have been 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.000 totally 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:37.059 within God's rights 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.120 as Paul's Lord 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.279 to do so. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.099 But God doesn't do that. 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.539 Instead, 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.200 the Lord 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.579 personally appears 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.440 to Paul in a vision. 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:51.720 He doesn't send 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.299 a messenger. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.200 He doesn't send 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.680 an angel. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.660 He comes himself 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.259 to Paul. 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.900 The Lord himself 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.400 says, 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:01.000 do not be afraid 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:03.019 for I am with you 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.000 and no one 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.900 will attack you 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:06.059 to harm you. 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.940 What kindness 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.539 of God. 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:11.940 this is the kind 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.599 of gentle 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.839 and patient 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.240 Lord 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.079 that we serve. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.960 There have been 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.819 many times 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.859 I've been 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.579 discouraged 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:23.659 in my old ministry 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.599 and yet 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.559 in those times 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.319 my Lord 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.119 has never 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:27.859 been harsh 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.319 with me. 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.539 Never. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.639 He's never 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:31.960 said, 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.279 Sean, 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.059 just put your act 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.440 together. 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.440 Stop being 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.139 such a wimp. 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:38.560 He's always 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:39.340 patient, 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.560 gentle, 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:41.860 kind. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.500 And that's 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.080 how he is. 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.780 He's a master 00:26:46.780 --> 00:26:47.320 who knows 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.020 when his servant 00:26:48.020 --> 00:26:48.680 is weary. 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:51.080 He's a general 00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:51.759 who knows 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.759 when his soldier 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:54.980 is fearful. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.960 He's a father 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.440 who knows 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.220 when his child 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.520 needs his comfort. 00:27:03.020 --> 00:27:03.940 And so in this 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.920 moment of Paul's 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.340 weakness, 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:05.900 in the moment 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.480 of fear 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:06.920 and much 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.440 trembling, 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.279 the Lord 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.800 comes with 00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:09.519 assurance 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.360 and encouragement 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.880 and consolation. 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:14.900 Do you know 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.400 that God 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.140 is not a rigid 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.940 taskmaster 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.560 over you? 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.259 That he knows 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.940 your weaknesses 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.539 and he sympathizes 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.180 with you? 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.519 That you can 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.560 draw near 00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:29.240 to his throne 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.600 of grace 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.320 with confidence 00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.460 because he is 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.120 such a gracious 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:33.279 and compassionate 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.660 Lord? 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.320 As a father 00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:37.259 shows compassion 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.480 to his children, 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.440 so the Lord 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.500 shows compassion 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.160 to those 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:42.080 who fear him 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:43.539 for he knows 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.539 our frame. 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.640 He remembers 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.779 that we are dust, 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.900 it says in Psalm 103. 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:50.360 In the same way 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.420 that earthly parents 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.120 show grace 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:52.860 to their children, 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.080 we often find 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:55.100 parents find 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:55.800 themselves saying, 00:27:56.300 --> 00:27:56.980 they're just kids. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.860 Give them a break. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.720 They're just 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:01.039 four years old, 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.140 seven years old. 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.860 They're children. 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:05.319 In the same way 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.079 our father 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:08.000 knows our frame, 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.619 he remembers 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:11.219 that we are dust. 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.579 He says, 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.399 often, 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:13.659 oh, 00:28:13.719 --> 00:28:15.039 they are but dust. 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.979 They are weak. 00:28:17.939 --> 00:28:18.879 And he shows us 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:19.319 compassion. 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.299 And when God 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.099 is with us, 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.000 we have nothing 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.559 to fear. 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.759 In Exodus 3, 00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.679 when God commands 00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:28.519 Moses to go 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.000 to Egypt 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.079 and free his people 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.819 from slavery, 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.460 Moses responds, 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.299 who am I 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:36.659 that I should go 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.419 to Pharaoh 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.419 and bring 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.439 the children of Israel 00:28:39.439 --> 00:28:40.159 out of Egypt? 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.679 This is a very 00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:43.240 sensible objection 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.079 from a human 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.679 point of view. 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.500 Moses 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:48.579 is no king. 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.359 He has no army 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.139 at his service. 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.720 He's a nobody. 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:54.859 And who is he 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.740 to go to Pharaoh, 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.639 one of the most 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.720 powerful kings 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.859 in the ancient world 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.679 and demand 00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:00.759 that he free 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:02.059 all of his labors? 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.639 But God's response 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.119 to him 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.099 is quite simple. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:11.919 I will be with you. 00:29:18.199 --> 00:29:18.719 Similarly, 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:20.139 in Jeremiah chapter 1, 00:29:20.199 --> 00:29:21.099 when God commissions 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.679 Jeremiah 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.819 to be a prophet 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.299 to the nations, 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.179 Jeremiah responds, 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.479 oh, 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.219 Lord God, 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.659 behold, 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.620 I do not know 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:29.420 how to speak 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.640 for I am only 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.220 a youth. 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.060 That too 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:34.100 is a very 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.620 sensible objection. 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.800 Jeremiah 00:29:39.800 --> 00:29:40.840 is no Cicero 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:42.000 or Demosthenes. 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.620 He's no Abraham Lincoln 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.940 or Frederick Douglass. 00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:46.400 He's not eloquent. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.340 He knows it. 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.540 And he's only 00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.120 a youth. 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:52.440 He's inexperienced. 00:29:53.040 --> 00:29:53.920 But again, 00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.820 God's response 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.299 to him 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.460 is very simple. 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.619 Do not be afraid 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.099 of them 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.539 for I 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.399 am 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:03.079 with you. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.500 God tells Paul 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.579 the exact same thing here. 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.139 Do not 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:09.139 be afraid 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:10.200 for I 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.839 am 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.779 with you. 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.859 If God 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:14.079 is for us, 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.500 who can be 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.639 against us, 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.480 brothers and sisters? 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:21.019 Even though 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.599 I walk 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.299 through the valley 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.980 of the shadow 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.539 of death, 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.579 I will fear 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.680 no evil. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.259 Why? 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:27.680 Because 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:30.259 you are 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.519 with me. 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.559 Paul believes 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.400 God's promise. 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:38.259 And so in verse 11, 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.319 it tells us that he stayed 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.839 a year and six months. 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.740 That's a long time 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.240 for Paul. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.579 He teaches 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.400 the word of God 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.960 among them. 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:49.420 And as Paul 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.140 anticipated, 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.079 the jealous Jews 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:52.120 do make a united 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:53.059 attack on Paul 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:54.539 starting in verse 12. 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.779 When Galileo 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.500 was proconsul 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.140 of Achaia, 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.860 this is around 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:01.360 51-52 AD, 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:01.980 you know, 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.680 from inscriptions. 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.640 Sometime 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.279 in that window, 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.380 verse 13, 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.600 it says, 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.759 this man is persuading 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.500 people to worship 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.779 God contrary to the law. 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.620 They bring this charge 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:11.319 to the proconsul. 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:13.120 So since this charge 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:13.799 is being made 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:15.000 to a Roman proconsul, 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.759 this is not about 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.599 the Jewish law. 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.380 They're saying 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:18.720 that he's violating 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.039 Roman law. 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.400 It's possible 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.220 that the accusation 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.660 is similar 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.720 to the charge 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.500 of the Thessalonians 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.339 in chapter 17, 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.240 that he was acting 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.160 against the decrees 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.799 of Caesar 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.660 by saying 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:29.980 that there's 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.920 another king, 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:31.640 Jesus, 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:32.980 undermining 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.500 the worship 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.819 of Caesar, 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.500 the cult 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.259 of the emperor, 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.059 or perhaps 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:39.059 teaching a religion 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.619 that was not 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.859 sanctioned by the emperor. 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:44.039 they're trying 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.419 to get 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:45.019 Paul 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:46.559 expelled, 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.819 Christianity 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.699 stamped out. 00:31:49.479 --> 00:31:50.199 But look at 00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:51.019 what the proconsul 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.539 says 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:53.179 in verses 14 00:31:53.179 --> 00:31:53.659 to 15. 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.519 If it were a matter 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.219 of wrongdoing 00:31:55.219 --> 00:31:56.059 or vicious crime, 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.500 O Jews, 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.839 I would have reason 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.919 to accept your complaint, 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.659 but since it is 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:00.500 a matter of questions 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.240 about words 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:01.819 and names 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.740 and your own law, 00:32:03.179 --> 00:32:04.179 see to it yourselves. 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:05.679 I refuse to be 00:32:05.679 --> 00:32:06.159 a judge 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.879 of these things. 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.619 In essence, 00:32:09.099 --> 00:32:09.879 Galileo's verdict 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:11.480 is that no serious 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.300 crime has been 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.640 committed. 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.440 That the matter 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.100 at hand is not 00:32:15.100 --> 00:32:15.660 an infringement 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:17.380 of the Roman law, 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:17.920 but that it's 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.800 actually a discussion, 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.340 a debate 00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.800 within the Jewish law. 00:32:22.040 --> 00:32:22.720 So he says, 00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:23.420 go discuss it 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.020 among yourselves. 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.140 He's kind of, 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:25.780 he seems like 00:32:25.780 --> 00:32:26.480 he's a little bit 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.580 impatient with them. 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.800 He summarily dismisses 00:32:28.800 --> 00:32:29.200 them and he says 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.960 that he drove them 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.600 out of the synagogue. 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:32.060 Not synagogue, 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:32.300 sorry, 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.240 drove them out of court. 00:32:34.540 --> 00:32:35.740 This is shocking, 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.140 actually. 00:32:36.320 --> 00:32:37.780 It has huge implications 00:32:37.780 --> 00:32:39.020 for the fledgling church 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.019 because this is 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:41.200 the first time 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:42.579 that a Roman official 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:44.720 issues a legal verdict 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.759 concerning Christians. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.940 And he has essentially 00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:48.599 said, 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.200 Christians have 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:51.460 every right, 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.920 every bit of right 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.420 to worship 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:54.539 as you, 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.220 the Jews. 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.079 He has said 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.119 they have legal right 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.579 to gather. 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.160 He can continue 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.160 to proclaim the gospel 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.900 with impunity. 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:06.920 You could tell, 00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:07.160 I mean, 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.980 you could imagine 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.500 why the Jews 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.280 were infuriated. 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.740 They wanted Christians 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.500 forbidden from 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.780 practicing their religion, 00:33:12.780 --> 00:33:14.140 but instead the Jews 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.780 ended up tying 00:33:14.780 --> 00:33:15.660 their own hands 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.700 behind their back 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.960 with this, 00:33:18.040 --> 00:33:19.140 with this legal decree 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.360 from Galio. 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:22.860 And so, 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:24.000 because they were so mad, 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.780 look at what happens 00:33:24.780 --> 00:33:25.680 in verse 17. 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.800 They all seized 00:33:26.800 --> 00:33:28.120 Sosthenes, 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.160 the ruler of the synagogue, 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:31.380 and beat him 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:33.259 in front of the tribunal. 00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.740 But Galio paid 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.340 no attention 00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:36.540 to any of this. 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:37.900 Remember in verse 8 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:39.000 that Crispus, 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.779 the ruler of the synagogue, 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.680 believed in the Lord. 00:33:41.540 --> 00:33:41.740 So, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.720 it seems that 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.740 becoming a Christian 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.720 was not acceptable 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.519 from the perspective 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.000 of the Jews, 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:48.380 so either he resigned 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:49.180 or he was forced 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:51.120 to leave his position, 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.779 so they appointed 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.440 someone else. 00:33:52.860 --> 00:33:53.540 So Sosthenes 00:33:53.540 --> 00:33:54.460 is a new ruler 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.100 of the synagogue 00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:56.240 and he's new 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.940 to this position 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:57.820 and he's been thrust 00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.820 with this responsibility 00:33:58.820 --> 00:34:00.140 of bringing this legal charge 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:01.480 against the Christians 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:03.380 and he's doing his part 00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:05.080 but then he loses the case 00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:06.140 and this poor Sosthenes 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:07.180 gets beaten up 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.920 by his own fellow Jews. 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.980 God has said to Paul, 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:17.180 do not be afraid 00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:19.140 for I am with you 00:34:19.140 --> 00:34:20.660 for no one 00:34:20.660 --> 00:34:22.300 will attack you 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:23.280 to harm you. 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.240 Isn't that amazing? 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:28.979 He fulfills that promise 00:34:28.979 --> 00:34:31.039 in a spectacular way. 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.819 Paul didn't, 00:34:31.859 --> 00:34:32.179 look at it, 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:32.959 Paul didn't even have 00:34:32.959 --> 00:34:34.179 to utter a word in court. 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:35.859 Before Paul even opened 00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:36.539 his mouth, 00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.759 Galileo summarily 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:39.000 dismissed this case. 00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:43.000 Before he did anything, 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:44.439 God defended Paul 00:34:44.439 --> 00:34:47.799 and no one could touch him. 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.539 And the second command 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.899 and the promise 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.320 that God, 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.059 that the company 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.139 did in verses 9 to 10 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.119 is also fulfilled. 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.099 The Lord said to Paul 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.599 in the vision, 00:34:58.099 --> 00:34:58.880 go on speaking 00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.980 and do not be silent 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.740 for I have many 00:35:00.740 --> 00:35:01.300 in this city 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:02.380 who are my people. 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:04.820 Paul was seeing 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.599 this reality 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.180 in verse 8 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:06.760 when Crispus 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.660 and his entire household 00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:08.360 came to faith 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.099 and it says 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.380 many of the Corinthians 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:11.079 hearing Paul 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:12.119 believed and were baptized. 00:35:14.180 --> 00:35:14.880 It's similar 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:16.240 to what Acts 13 00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:17.260 verse 48 says. 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.880 It says there 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:18.740 that when Paul 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.240 and Barnabas 00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:19.860 preached the gospel 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.720 to the Gentiles, 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.519 quote, 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:23.340 as many as were 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:25.700 appointed to eternal life 00:35:25.700 --> 00:35:26.500 believed. 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.780 God's sovereign 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:31.400 prior appointment, 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.460 his divine election 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:35.120 is what is in view 00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:35.780 in this verse. 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:38.519 And God commands Paul 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.240 to proclaim 00:35:39.240 --> 00:35:40.519 this gospel 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:42.500 not in spite 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.460 of his election 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.880 but because 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:46.519 of his election. 00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:47.700 But because 00:35:47.700 --> 00:35:48.680 there are many 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.159 in Corinth 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:49.879 whom he has chosen 00:35:49.879 --> 00:35:50.579 for himself. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.839 It may seem 00:35:52.839 --> 00:35:54.000 somewhat counterintuitive 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:54.919 to some of you 00:35:54.919 --> 00:35:55.519 but according 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.259 to this verse 00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:57.599 knowing that God 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.779 has preordained 00:35:58.779 --> 00:35:59.379 some people 00:35:59.379 --> 00:36:00.119 for salvation 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:01.599 does not make 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.639 us complacent 00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:03.339 evangelism. 00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:04.719 It actually 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.919 provides a reason 00:36:05.919 --> 00:36:06.980 to go on 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.419 speaking 00:36:07.419 --> 00:36:08.219 and not 00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:09.019 be silent. 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.579 Because God 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.179 has sovereignly 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.599 ordained 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.299 to broadcast 00:36:13.299 --> 00:36:14.239 his saving news 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.559 through his people 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:17.019 the fact that 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.659 God chooses 00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:19.519 some for salvation 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.019 from before 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.579 the foundation 00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:21.019 of the world 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:21.940 does not obviate 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.599 our evangelistic 00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.079 efforts. 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:24.579 Instead 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.500 knowing that 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.639 there are people 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:27.099 that God 00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:27.699 has already 00:36:27.699 --> 00:36:28.259 predestined 00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:28.960 for salvation 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.159 and knowing 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:30.779 for that reason 00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.219 that they 00:36:31.219 --> 00:36:32.379 will respond 00:36:32.379 --> 00:36:33.159 to our proclamation 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:34.059 of the gospel 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:35.579 with repentance 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.219 and faith 00:36:36.219 --> 00:36:37.500 that actually 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.639 motivates us 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:39.279 to keep 00:36:39.279 --> 00:36:40.139 on speaking 00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:40.859 about Jesus. 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.059 Because we know 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.819 that our proclamation 00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:45.920 will not be in vain. 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:48.900 there are many 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.340 in the city 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:49.659 of Corinth 00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.000 that God 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.420 had chosen 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.220 to be his people. 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.539 In 1 Corinthians 00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:54.720 1, 14-16 00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:55.260 he mentions 00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:56.460 Crispus and Gaius 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.059 and the household 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:57.860 of Stephanus. 00:36:59.260 --> 00:36:59.940 And get this 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.700 in 1 Corinthians 00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.320 chapter 1 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:01.920 verse 1 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:03.300 Paul mentions 00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:04.059 as one of his 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.619 co-workers 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.200 who is 00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:06.880 sending this 00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:07.599 letter with him 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:09.300 our brother 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:10.159 Sosthenes. 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:14.420 you wonder 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:14.779 if 00:37:14.779 --> 00:37:16.399 Paul names 00:37:16.399 --> 00:37:17.199 him specifically 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:18.339 and Luke 00:37:18.339 --> 00:37:19.000 mentions 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.859 Sosthenes 00:37:19.859 --> 00:37:20.259 the ruler 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:20.739 of the synagogue 00:37:20.739 --> 00:37:21.500 specifically 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.739 because it's 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:23.219 the same 00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:23.799 Sosthenes 00:37:23.799 --> 00:37:24.179 that the 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:24.859 believers knew. 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.000 Even he 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:27.379 maybe 00:37:27.379 --> 00:37:28.399 came to 00:37:28.399 --> 00:37:28.799 faith in 00:37:28.799 --> 00:37:29.460 Jesus Christ. 00:37:33.899 --> 00:37:34.799 That's not 00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.559 reason to go 00:37:35.559 --> 00:37:35.739 in. 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:40.000 treat people 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:42.299 in that way. 00:37:44.479 --> 00:37:45.379 The many 00:37:45.379 --> 00:37:45.959 in Corinth 00:37:45.959 --> 00:37:46.519 where God's 00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:46.979 people came 00:37:46.979 --> 00:37:47.379 to faith 00:37:47.379 --> 00:37:48.399 and for that 00:37:48.399 --> 00:37:48.839 reason in 00:37:48.839 --> 00:37:49.319 verse 18 00:37:49.319 --> 00:37:49.579 it says 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:50.139 Paul stayed 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.919 many days 00:37:50.919 --> 00:37:52.279 longer in 00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:52.579 Corinth 00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:53.039 to continue 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.419 to speak 00:37:53.419 --> 00:37:53.819 of Christ. 00:37:55.939 --> 00:37:56.459 Notice 00:37:56.459 --> 00:37:56.979 Paul doesn't 00:37:56.979 --> 00:37:57.299 say 00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:57.739 well 00:37:57.739 --> 00:37:58.759 since God 00:37:58.759 --> 00:37:59.179 has chosen 00:37:59.179 --> 00:37:59.739 many people 00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:00.079 in Corinth 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:00.659 to be saved 00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:01.459 and they 00:38:01.459 --> 00:38:01.699 will be 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.039 saved 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:02.679 with or 00:38:02.679 --> 00:38:03.219 without me 00:38:03.219 --> 00:38:03.759 so I guess 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.119 there's no 00:38:04.119 --> 00:38:04.559 need for me 00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:04.919 to stay 00:38:04.919 --> 00:38:05.619 here after 00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:05.980 all. 00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.219 No that 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:08.759 line of 00:38:08.759 --> 00:38:09.319 reasoning is 00:38:09.319 --> 00:38:10.259 totally alien 00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:10.599 to the 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:10.900 scriptures. 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:11.719 It would 00:38:11.719 --> 00:38:11.900 have been 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.299 totally 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:13.059 foreign to 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.559 Paul's 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:13.960 mind. 00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.519 Paul stays 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.279 and proclaims 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.599 the gospel 00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:17.380 for many 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.759 days longer 00:38:18.759 --> 00:38:20.019 precisely because 00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.519 God has 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.539 said I 00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.420 have many 00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:23.079 people in 00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.539 this city 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:23.839 who are 00:38:23.839 --> 00:38:24.400 my people 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:26.619 because they 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:27.139 need to hear 00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:27.559 the gospel 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.099 because they've 00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:28.559 been appointed 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.059 for salvation 00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.500 because they 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.579 will respond 00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.059 to the 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.319 gospel. 00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:34.799 Even of 00:38:34.799 --> 00:38:35.279 Cambridge and 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.740 Boston I 00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:36.320 believe God 00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:36.840 says I 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.760 have many 00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:38.220 in this 00:38:38.220 --> 00:38:39.120 city who 00:38:39.120 --> 00:38:39.900 are my 00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:40.300 people. 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:42.960 Remember 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:43.580 Jesus said 00:38:43.580 --> 00:38:44.180 the harvest 00:38:44.180 --> 00:38:45.240 is plentiful 00:38:45.240 --> 00:38:45.900 but the 00:38:45.900 --> 00:38:46.540 laborers are 00:38:46.540 --> 00:38:46.780 few. 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:48.460 What we 00:38:48.460 --> 00:38:48.940 lack in 00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:49.340 our city 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:50.140 is not 00:38:50.140 --> 00:38:50.840 people who 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:51.260 are willing 00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:51.780 to believe 00:38:51.780 --> 00:38:53.019 what we 00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.519 lack is 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.260 people who 00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:54.660 are willing 00:38:54.660 --> 00:38:55.080 to share 00:38:55.080 --> 00:38:55.519 the gospel. 00:38:58.640 --> 00:38:59.400 And that's 00:38:59.400 --> 00:38:59.840 a strange 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:01.840 thing because 00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:02.680 everyone loves 00:39:02.680 --> 00:39:03.100 being a 00:39:03.100 --> 00:39:03.560 herald of the 00:39:03.559 --> 00:39:03.960 good news. 00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:06.219 I don't 00:39:06.219 --> 00:39:06.420 know if 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:06.779 you remember 00:39:06.779 --> 00:39:07.420 last year 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:07.719 at the 00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.199 beginning of 00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:08.699 the pandemic 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.179 at the 00:39:09.179 --> 00:39:09.420 end of 00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.079 March 2020 00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:11.420 for about 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.119 two month 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:13.360 time actor 00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:14.360 John Krasinski 00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:15.619 hosted a 00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.239 home YouTube 00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:17.219 channel entitled 00:39:17.219 --> 00:39:18.059 Some Good 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.440 News. 00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:18.759 You guys 00:39:18.759 --> 00:39:19.199 remember that? 00:39:20.299 --> 00:39:20.779 Obviously it's 00:39:20.779 --> 00:39:21.320 all good news 00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:21.820 that he thinks 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:22.420 is good but 00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:23.860 the people 00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:24.619 like him he 00:39:24.619 --> 00:39:25.320 concluded that 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:25.880 other people 00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.619 like him were 00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:27.279 all desperate 00:39:27.279 --> 00:39:28.340 for some 00:39:28.340 --> 00:39:28.960 good news 00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:30.039 because there's 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.559 so much bad 00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:31.000 news in the 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.179 world. 00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:31.539 And so he 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.059 created a 00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:32.779 news channel 00:39:32.779 --> 00:39:33.599 entirely 00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:34.219 dedicated to 00:39:34.219 --> 00:39:34.759 good news. 00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:36.659 Everyone loves 00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:37.119 hearing good 00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.419 news. 00:39:38.419 --> 00:39:39.059 Everyone likes 00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:39.899 telling people 00:39:39.899 --> 00:39:40.480 good news. 00:39:41.199 --> 00:39:41.940 Why not 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:43.000 should we 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.940 herald far 00:39:43.940 --> 00:39:44.480 and wide 00:39:44.480 --> 00:39:45.599 the best 00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:47.019 news of all? 00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:55.980 Every single 00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.559 human being 00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.119 in this world 00:39:57.119 --> 00:39:57.759 has sinned 00:39:57.759 --> 00:39:58.339 against God 00:39:58.339 --> 00:39:58.960 and is destined 00:39:58.960 --> 00:39:59.779 for bloodshed, 00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:00.940 for death. 00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:02.759 eternal 00:40:02.759 --> 00:40:03.279 damnation. 00:40:05.679 --> 00:40:06.099 As Romans 00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:07.119 6.23 says 00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:07.599 the wages 00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.000 of sin 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.480 is death. 00:40:08.839 --> 00:40:09.759 Hebrews 9.22 00:40:09.759 --> 00:40:10.279 says without 00:40:10.279 --> 00:40:10.739 the shedding 00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:11.139 of blood 00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:11.659 there is no 00:40:11.659 --> 00:40:12.079 forgiveness 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:12.579 of sin. 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:14.699 Someone's 00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:15.480 blood had 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.359 to be shed 00:40:16.359 --> 00:40:17.460 and it was 00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.019 going to be 00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:18.440 ours. 00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:20.859 Except that 00:40:20.859 --> 00:40:21.359 Jesus 00:40:21.359 --> 00:40:22.339 interposed 00:40:22.339 --> 00:40:23.599 his own 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.019 blood. 00:40:25.399 --> 00:40:25.759 That we 00:40:25.759 --> 00:40:26.159 might be 00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:26.519 forgiven. 00:40:27.359 --> 00:40:27.859 That we 00:40:27.859 --> 00:40:28.239 might be 00:40:28.239 --> 00:40:28.879 reconciled to 00:40:28.879 --> 00:40:29.319 God and 00:40:29.319 --> 00:40:29.980 have eternal 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:30.379 life. 00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:35.059 some people 00:40:35.059 --> 00:40:35.659 it's true 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:36.659 in this world 00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:37.199 want nothing 00:40:37.199 --> 00:40:37.739 to do with 00:40:37.739 --> 00:40:38.079 that good 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:38.359 news. 00:40:39.359 --> 00:40:39.980 But there 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:40.559 are many 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:41.399 in this 00:40:41.399 --> 00:40:42.440 city who 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:43.019 are God's 00:40:43.019 --> 00:40:43.299 people. 00:40:45.219 --> 00:40:45.539 They are 00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:46.019 longing. 00:40:47.239 --> 00:40:47.539 They are 00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:47.879 waiting. 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.099 Let's pray. 00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:55.159 God 00:40:55.159 --> 00:40:58.940 show us 00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.659 how good 00:40:59.659 --> 00:41:00.460 the gospel 00:41:00.460 --> 00:41:00.779 is. 00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:04.719 Help us 00:41:04.719 --> 00:41:05.059 to not 00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:06.019 merely believe 00:41:06.019 --> 00:41:06.880 it, know 00:41:06.880 --> 00:41:07.279 it in our 00:41:07.279 --> 00:41:08.400 heads, but 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:08.980 to believe it 00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:09.659 with all of 00:41:09.659 --> 00:41:10.139 our hearts. 00:41:12.360 --> 00:41:13.059 Help us 00:41:13.059 --> 00:41:13.619 to know 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:14.920 in the 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.380 marrow of 00:41:15.380 --> 00:41:16.000 our bones. 00:41:18.940 --> 00:41:19.820 How good 00:41:19.820 --> 00:41:20.980 your good 00:41:20.980 --> 00:41:21.440 news of 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.059 salvation is. 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:24.160 How kind 00:41:24.160 --> 00:41:24.860 and gracious 00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:25.760 you are. 00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.740 So that we 00:41:29.740 --> 00:41:30.079 would not 00:41:30.079 --> 00:41:30.500 hesitate. 00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:33.000 So that we 00:41:33.000 --> 00:41:33.340 would not 00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:33.920 be ashamed 00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:34.220 of the 00:41:34.220 --> 00:41:34.460 gospel. 00:41:37.260 --> 00:41:38.059 In Jesus 00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:38.460 name we 00:41:38.460 --> 00:41:38.680 pray. 00:41:39.119 --> 00:41:39.480 Amen. 00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:39.579 Amen. 00:41:39.579 --> 00:41:39.640 Amen. 00:41:39.640 --> 00:41:39.780 Amen. 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:41.640 Amen. 00:41:41.640 --> 00:41:41.720 Amen. 00:41:41.720 --> 00:41:41.780 Amen. 00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:42.320 Amen. 00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:42.360 Amen. 00:41:42.360 --> 00:41:42.380 Amen. 00:41:42.380 --> 00:41:42.720 Amen. 00:41:42.720 --> 00:41:42.860 Amen. 00:41:42.860 --> 00:41:42.900 Amen. 00:41:42.900 --> 00:41:42.960 Amen. 00:41:42.960 --> 00:41:43.460 Amen. 00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:43.519 Amen. 00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:43.720 Amen. 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:43.820 Amen. 00:41:43.820 --> 00:41:45.360 Amen.