WEBVTT

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 Now we are all lured in by the promise of quick fixes, aren't we?

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 So we live in a world that wants things immediately and without much effort.

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 So maybe you're like me and you're lured in by the promise of six pack abs in 60 days

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 from someone who looks very athletic in the video.

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 I'm pretty sure it's just the lighting.

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 Maybe you want to lose weight and so you're pulled in by those adverts

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 that speak about the next superfood or that fruit that basically burns fat as you chew.

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 Maybe it's that cleaning product that promises to get away that stain

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 that you've had on the carpet for 30 odd years.

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 Or maybe it's that new kitchen appliance that the person on TV says you cannot live without.

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 Or it's that face cream that promises to keep wrinkles at bay until your dying day.

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 We all love a quick fix.

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 But in reality, these kind of overnight success ideas,

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 whilst they feed or desire for things to be done quickly,

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 with minimal effort and with so-called guaranteed outcomes,

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 they don't or they very rarely actually work.

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 Because people achieve goals not by going with the newest quick fix fad or trend,

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 but we achieve things by consistency.

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 The key to getting better at something or achieving a certain goal that you have

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 is not a quick dash, it's not a sprint,

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 but the consistent, dedicated discipline of hard work that will get you there.

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 Ask any doctor, any bricklayer, any plasterer, any muscly person,

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 they will tell you that the key to their achievements and the place they are in their careers or their appearance,

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 whatever it may be, the key is consistency.

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 And the same is true for the Christian life.

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 Because if we want to grow spiritually as a whole church family,

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 if we want to become a church family that is rooted in the Bible,

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 that has a desire to see the kingdom of God grow,

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 if we want our faith as individuals to grow into maturity,

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 then we need to be consistent.

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 This morning, as we conclude our series in Acts,

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 I want us to think about what that looks like.

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 What is the consistent Christian life?

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 In our short passage for today,

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 we see three things that make up a consistent Christian life.

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 And all of these things have come up in the book of Acts before,

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 but now we see them all in one place.

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 And so this morning we sit with Paul, who is still a prisoner,

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 and we can learn that even now, right at the end,

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 he has remained consistent in his walk with Jesus.

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 What a wonderful thing to be considering today,

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 as Jack has publicly declared his faith in Jesus.

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 Now he's not here.

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 Oh no, there he is.

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 Jack, as you know, the Christian life will not be easy.

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 Many bumps and obstacles will come in your way,

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 and many people in this room can attest to that.

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 But out of your love for Jesus,

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 and out of your desire to serve him,

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 live the consistent life until Jesus returns,

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 or you are called home.

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 And my prayer is that each of us would do the same

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 as we go through this life.

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 So here are three things that will help us consistently live

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 the Christian life from the end of Acts chapter 28.

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 The first thing that we see is that like Paul,

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 we should make the most of every opportunity

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 in verses 17 to 23.

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 So we need to remember that Paul has been in chains

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 since chapter 21.

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 He's been a prisoner.

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 And as we saw last week with Ian,

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 he eventually did travel all the way to Rome.

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 Now whilst in prison,

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 Paul wrote some of his letters to different churches,

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 and we get a glimpse of how he was doing,

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 what his priority was as he was imprisoned.

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 Now I know that if I was wrongly imprisoned,

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 on false charges that had no basis,

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 I would be pleading my innocence non-stop,

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 trying to convince my captors that they had the wrong guy,

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 that I should be released.

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 That's probably everyone's natural response, right?

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 But what does Paul do?

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 Well, we get a glimpse in Colossians chapter 4, verse 2,

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 where Paul's writing to a church,

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 and this is what he says.

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 Devote yourselves to prayer,

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 being watchful and thankful,

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 and pray for us too,

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 that God may open a door for our message,

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 so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ

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 for which I am in chains.

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 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly,

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 as I should.

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 So as Paul is sitting in chains in Rome,

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 most likely chained to a soldier,

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 his prayer request isn't that these chains would be gone,

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 isn't that he'd be found innocent,

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 but he asks that the church would pray,

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 that he would publicly and correctly

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 make Jesus known to all those around him.

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 Paul is living consistently,

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 whether in chains or a free man,

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 he always made the most of every opportunity

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 to share Jesus.

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 And he does the same in Acts chapter 28.

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 Look at verse 17 with me that we read earlier.

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 Three days later,

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 he, that's Paul,

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 called together the local Jewish leaders.

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 So not only was Paul under house arrest,

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 as verse 16 says,

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 which would probably mean a rotation of gods

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 who were quite literally a captive audience

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 to the message of Jesus.

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 Verse 30 also says that he had visitors

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 who came to the house who wanted to see him.

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 And then in verse 17,

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 he gathers local Jews to talk to them.

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 So even in Rome,

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 where he is in chains on false accusations

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 from some Jews,

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 even here he's trying to reach them

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 with the message of Jesus.

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 So Paul meets the Jews first in verse 17

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 at his own request.

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 And then again,

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 a second time in verse 23 at their request.

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 And this time it's a bigger crowd.

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 Every opportunity Paul gets,

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 he uses to share the gospel.

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 Now, so often we wait for the so-called

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 perfect conditions to share Jesus with people,

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 don't we?

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 We almost want people to come up to us

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 and ask us,

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 well, why do you believe in Jesus?

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 But realistically,

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 that won't happen all that often.

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 Instead, we should be living

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 the consistent Christian life

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 and making the most of every opportunity.

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 Telling people that we were at church

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 on the weekend

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 and what we were thinking about.

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 Opening up about your struggles

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 and how Jesus has helped you

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 or is helping you

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 through the storms of life.

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 Explaining to people

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 why you won't participate

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 in certain activities or behaviors.

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 explaining why you hold certain viewpoints

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 on political or cultural issues.

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 These are simple ways

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 that we can make the most

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 of every opportunity

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 to share Jesus.

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 But it also means standing up

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 for our faith

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 and taking opportunities

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 to speak about Jesus,

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 even in difficult circumstances.

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 In verse 22,

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 the Jews say that they hear

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 people everywhere

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 talking against this sect,

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 meaning Christianity.

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 And yet Paul continues to speak,

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 as verse 31 says,

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 with boldness

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 and without hindrance.

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 Now we've seen that before.

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 Remember in Acts chapter 21,

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 after a big crowd

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 started trying to beat Paul to death,

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 what did he do?

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 When he was saved

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 by the Roman soldiers,

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 he stopped and said,

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 can I please speak to the crowd?

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 And he started to teach them

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 about Jesus.

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 What does he do

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 whilst he's a prisoner

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 time and time again,

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 as Paul has his back up against it?

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 Threats coming at him

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 from every side.

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 He consistently lived

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 the Christian life,

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 made the most of every opportunity

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 to share Jesus.

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 And we should do the same.

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 Make the most of every opportunity.

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 And the second thing we see

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 to help us consistently

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 live the Christian life

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 that we see in Paul here

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 is that we should teach

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 everyone about Jesus.

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 Verses 23 to 31.

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 As has happened before

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 in Acts 13,

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 the second time the Jews come

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 to see Paul,

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 a larger crowd appears.

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 We see that in verse 23.

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 So it's the Jews

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 who arranged this second meeting

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 because they're intrigued

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 by what Paul thinks

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 and want to hear him speak.

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 So what does he do?

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 Well, he talks to them

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 in verse 20.

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 He said in verse 23,

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 it says,

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 he witnessed to them

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 from morning till evening,

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 explaining about the kingdom of God

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 and from the law of Moses

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 and from the prophets,

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 he tried to persuade them

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 about Jesus.

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 Now notice two key things

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 about Paul's witnessing

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 to these people in that verse.

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 He spoke to them

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 from morning till night

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 and from cover to cover.

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 This week at weekend

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 at the holiday club

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 that we've already heard about,

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 Jack and I were leading

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 a discussion group together.

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 And one of the questions

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 we asked the children was,

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 if someone came to you

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 and asked you to tell them

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 about Jesus,

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 what would you say?

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 Now they gave some

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 really good answers,

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 most of them really helpful.

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 But it probably took

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 about three or four minutes

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 and they were done.

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 Often people are taught today

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 to be able to share their story

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 of how they came to know Jesus

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 in three minutes.

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 That is a good thing to do.

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 But that's not what Paul does here.

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 See, he doesn't give

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 a short gospel presentation.

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 He doesn't give his listeners

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 a quick two ways to live booklet.

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 Instead, he spends hours

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 talking to these people

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 about Jesus,

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 explaining about the kingdom of God.

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 Paul takes his time

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 to explain God's great plan.

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 Now we will most likely

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 never be in a context to do this.

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 I don't know anyone

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 who will sit and have

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 an engaged conversation

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 about one topic

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 or about something

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 from morning until evening.

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 But we can spend time

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 with our non-Christian friends

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 and family members

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 and teach them about God.

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 Invest in them.

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 Talk about why we believe

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 what we do,

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 why we hold certain positions.

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 Because witnessing to someone

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 isn't a parachute situation

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 where you mention Jesus,

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 you maybe even quote John 3.16

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 and then you're out the door again.

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 Paul is investing time

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 in these people

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 and telling them about Jesus

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 from morning till evening.

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 But notice the second thing

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 is that he does it

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 from cover to cover.

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 Paul doesn't just mention

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 one little thing

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 or one aspect of the gospel

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 that is maybe bite-sized

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 or easy to handle.

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 But instead he sits them down

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 for a very long Bible study.

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 So often I hear people say

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 that we only need to tell people

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 that God is love.

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 And that is right.

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 God is love.

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 And we do need to tell people that.

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 But if we are to faithfully

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 witness about God

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 and teach everyone about Jesus,

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 then we need to be holistic

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 in our witnessing.

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 So yes, we share that God is love.

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 We also share that God is just,

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 that God is good,

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 and that God is judge.

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 We need to share with people

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 from Genesis to Revelation,

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 the whole counsel of God.

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 And that means

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 that we need to know our Bibles.

00:11:51.939 --> 00:11:53.479
 One of the most encouraging things

00:11:53.479 --> 00:11:54.399
 when I do house visits

00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.399
 is sitting with someone

00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.459
 who's elderly

00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:57.719
 and they pull out their Bible

00:11:57.719 --> 00:11:59.459
 that has clearly been used

00:11:59.459 --> 00:12:01.139
 and it is in bits.

00:12:01.599 --> 00:12:02.439
 So encouraging.

00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:05.199
 We have the immense privilege

00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:06.399
 of having God's word

00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:08.719
 in so many accessible ways today.

00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:11.559
 We should use all of them

00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:13.299
 for our own spiritual benefit,

00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:15.879
 but also so that we can faithfully

00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:17.159
 point people to Jesus

00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.719
 from the beginning of the Bible

00:12:18.719 --> 00:12:21.459
 to the end of God's big story.

00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:24.639
 It is an absolute joy

00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.720
 to be used by God

00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:27.180
 to share the good news of Jesus.

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.639
 We sit here as a result

00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.440
 of that this morning.

00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.639
 Remember way back

00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:34.240
 in the beginning of Acts chapter 1,

00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.840
 the early church started

00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:37.100
 with a small group

00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.040
 in an upper room,

00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.860
 but through the power of God,

00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:42.379
 through a wonderful work

00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.280
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.300
 through the efforts

00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:45.200
 of God's people

00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:47.660
 constantly sharing the gospel,

00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:49.559
 we sit here

00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:51.219
 having heard about Jesus.

00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.919
 We are here as a result

00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.659
 of what we see

00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.579
 in the book of Acts.

00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:57.500
 Now we can read Acts,

00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:59.539
 which is a historical account

00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:00.120
 of the beginning

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.899
 of the church.

00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:03.819
 We can read the truth

00:13:03.819 --> 00:13:05.079
 that the gospel grows

00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:06.240
 as it is opposed

00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:08.100
 and we can see God

00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.480
 at work in wonderful ways,

00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:10.399
 but it didn't stop

00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.659
 in Acts chapter 28,

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.439
 verse 31,

00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:15.060
 because the same thing

00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:16.340
 happens today.

00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.960
 The Lord continues to work

00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:20.340
 and the gospel continues

00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:21.740
 to go forth

00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.200
 as men and women,

00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:24.220
 through the power

00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:24.800
 of the Spirit,

00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.840
 share Jesus with the world.

00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:29.300
 And the responses

00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:30.220
 will be the same now

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.220
 as they were back then.

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.640
 Look with me at verse 24.

00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:36.320
 Some were convinced

00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:36.980
 by what he,

00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:37.500
 that's Paul,

00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:37.900
 said,

00:13:38.020 --> 00:13:39.340
 but others would not believe.

00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.380
 They disagreed

00:13:40.380 --> 00:13:41.180
 among themselves

00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.799
 and began to leave

00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:43.639
 after Paul made

00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.519
 his final statement.

00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:46.859
 Paul goes on to quote

00:13:46.859 --> 00:13:47.500
 from Isaiah,

00:13:47.979 --> 00:13:49.620
 highlighting that these people

00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.739
 had eyes to see the signs.

00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.719
 They had ears to hear

00:13:53.719 --> 00:13:54.899
 the message of Jesus

00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:57.519
 and yet their hearts

00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.159
 were hard.

00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:00.839
 They were unwilling

00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:02.000
 to see the work of God

00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.620
 that was happening

00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.779
 right in front of them.

00:14:04.099 --> 00:14:04.839
 They were unwilling

00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:06.899
 to listen to the truth

00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.279
 of Jesus

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.039
 and repent

00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.439
 and put their trust in him.

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.659
 Now as we go out

00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.259
 into this world

00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.179
 and we share the gospel

00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:14.679
 with people,

00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.599
 there will be those

00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:16.359
 who respond

00:14:16.359 --> 00:14:17.539
 with faith

00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:19.179
 and we greatly rejoice

00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.299
 at that new life.

00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:22.879
 There will also be those

00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.939
 who reject the gospel

00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:26.359
 and that is not on us.

00:14:26.859 --> 00:14:27.759
 God is the one

00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.039
 who brings about salvation.

00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.679
 We just have the privilege

00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.639
 of sharing Jesus

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.299
 with others.

00:14:33.739 --> 00:14:34.839
 Living the consistent

00:14:34.839 --> 00:14:35.699
 Christian life

00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:36.979
 looks like making the most

00:14:36.979 --> 00:14:37.979
 of every opportunity.

00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.960
 It looks like teaching

00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.279
 everyone about Jesus.

00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.320
 And the third thing

00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.740
 that we see in these verses

00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.800
 is that to live

00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:47.279
 the consistent Christian life

00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:48.259
 we need to remember

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:50.100
 that the gospel comes

00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:50.860
 with a house key.

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.340
 Look at verses 30

00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.080
 to 31 with me.

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:57.580
 For two whole years

00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.860
 Paul stayed there

00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.180
 in his own rented house

00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:01.200
 and welcomed all

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:02.320
 who came to see him.

00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:04.100
 He proclaimed the kingdom

00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.720
 of God

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.300
 and taught

00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.899
 about the Lord Jesus Christ

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.040
 with all boldness

00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:10.000
 and without hindrance.

00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:12.500
 For two years

00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.019
 Paul was under house arrest

00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:16.360
 using the opportunity

00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.360
 to teach those

00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.340
 who visited him

00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.860
 but also using it

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.960
 to write a lot.

00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.759
 While he was in Rome

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.200
 he wrote the New Testament

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.700
 letters of Ephesians,

00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.519
 Philippians,

00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:28.060
 Colossians and Philemon.

00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:30.420
 So even in the midst

00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:32.080
 of all of Paul's limitations

00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.779
 being under house arrest,

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:36.019
 under constant supervision,

00:15:36.579 --> 00:15:37.919
 he wouldn't have been

00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.759
 in a big mansion

00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.659
 that would have allowed

00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.319
 tons of people

00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:41.139
 to come visit him

00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:41.959
 all at once.

00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.220
 But none of that stopped him.

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.779
 Paul used to travel

00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.839
 from town to town,

00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:49.220
 from synagogue to synagogue.

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.579
 He couldn't do that anymore.

00:15:50.699 --> 00:15:52.220
 He's stuck in one place.

00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.120
 Now he could have seen

00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.240
 all of that as a hindrance

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.980
 to his ministry.

00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.860
 He could have given up.

00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.959
 He could have retreated

00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:00.819
 into isolation,

00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.899
 thrown down his tools,

00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:05.100
 but instead he embraced it

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.500
 and used the circumstances

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.480
 that he was in

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:09.840
 to continue to share Jesus

00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.740
 through hospitality

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.799
 for two years.

00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.159
 He welcomed

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.620
 and he witnessed.

00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:18.179
 He used the means

00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:18.740
 that he had

00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.379
 to proclaim

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.699
 the kingdom of God

00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.639
 and teach people

00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.360
 about Jesus.

00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:25.279
 Now maybe you live alone.

00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.379
 Maybe you think

00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.279
 that you can't cook

00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:29.159
 amazing food.

00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.639
 Maybe you have

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.659
 a tiny dining room.

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.299
 Maybe you don't even

00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.539
 have a dining room.

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:36.039
 None of those things

00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:37.379
 are limitations

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.719
 to stop you

00:16:38.719 --> 00:16:39.539
 inviting people

00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.319
 into your life

00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:41.199
 and sharing the gospel

00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:41.659
 with them.

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.579
 Some of the best

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.139
 conversations

00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.319
 I've had with people

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.980
 are sitting on a couch

00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.579
 with a TV

00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.279
 in the background

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.059
 with a takeaway

00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:51.000
 on my knees

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.339
 or a cup of tea

00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.000
 in my hand

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.059
 or a glass of water.

00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:57.859
 We don't need

00:16:57.859 --> 00:17:00.339
 to meet certain criteria

00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:01.279
 to share Jesus

00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.239
 in our homes.

00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.759
 We can use

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.039
 what God has given us

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.179
 to welcome

00:17:06.179 --> 00:17:07.519
 and witness.

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.779
 Paul wasn't the only one

00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.519
 who did this.

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.339
 Jesus,

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.359
 most of Jesus'

00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.099
 conversations

00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:14.419
 about the kingdom of God

00:17:14.419 --> 00:17:15.099
 and his teachings

00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.740
 happened in hospitality

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.679
 settings

00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:19.279
 around a dinner table

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.159
 or over a meal.

00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.019
 See,

00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:22.879
 we can look at people

00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.539
 like Paul

00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.379
 and maybe some of the

00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.780
 well-known evangelists

00:17:25.780 --> 00:17:26.460
 today

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.940
 and think that

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.340
 there's something

00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:29.360
 special about them.

00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.420
 That they're doing

00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:30.820
 the work

00:17:30.820 --> 00:17:31.800
 so I can sit back

00:17:31.800 --> 00:17:32.440
 and relax

00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.140
 and do nothing.

00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.720
 The reality is

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.780
 that every single Christian

00:17:36.780 --> 00:17:37.760
 has a unique

00:17:37.760 --> 00:17:39.100
 opportunity

00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:40.140
 to reach certain

00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.880
 groups of people.

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.220
 You'll rob shoulders

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.920
 with your friends

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.500
 and family

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.000
 and I'll rob shoulders

00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.500
 with mine.

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.820
 I probably won't be able

00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:49.680
 to reach the wealthy

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.200
 businessman

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.680
 working in a law firm

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.460
 down on Lothian Road

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.600
 but you might.

00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.819
 I won't have the opportunity

00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.000
 to sit next to your

00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.140
 colleagues at work

00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.039
 in the lunch break

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.299
 during a lunch break

00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.279
 but you do.

00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:06.180
 I won't have the chance

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.220
 to speak to your friend

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.140
 who is struggling

00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.740
 and looking for hope

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.420
 in life

00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:12.079
 but you do.

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.779
 Your life

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.860
 and your home

00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:16.920
 provides you

00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.640
 with the perfect

00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.240
 opportunity

00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.319
 to live the Christian

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.840
 life.

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.299
 As you remember

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.939
 the gospel

00:18:21.939 --> 00:18:23.639
 comes with a house key

00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:24.639
 and you boldly

00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:26.079
 without hindrance

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.619
 proclaim the kingdom

00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.059
 of God

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.939
 and teach people

00:18:28.939 --> 00:18:29.639
 about Jesus.

00:18:31.459 --> 00:18:32.299
 Verse 31

00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.899
 is the final thing

00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.679
 said about Paul

00:18:34.679 --> 00:18:35.139
 in Acts.

00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.799
 It's a summary sentence

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.639
 of his last two years

00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:40.480
 the last two years

00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.099
 of his life.

00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.319
 He proclaimed

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.240
 the kingdom of God

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.879
 and taught about

00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.939
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:46.000
 with all boldness

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.579
 and without hindrance.

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:50.039
 Now I wonder

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.819
 if you asked someone

00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.339
 to summarize

00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.299
 the last two years

00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.019
 of your life

00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.399
 in a sentence or two

00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.339
 what would they say?

00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.399
 Is the first thing

00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.419
 that would come to mind

00:19:00.419 --> 00:19:01.619
 that they would say

00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.179
 about you

00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:02.939
 that you proclaim

00:19:02.939 --> 00:19:03.879
 the kingdom of God

00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:05.359
 with all boldness?

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.539
 Is that a determining

00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.779
 factor in your life?

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.159
 Or would it be

00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:11.139
 that you're a nice person

00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:11.740
 who's managed

00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:14.859
 to perfect a new skill

00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:15.500
 over lockdown?

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.859
 Or would it be

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.859
 that you're a busy person

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:20.699
 who still tries

00:19:20.699 --> 00:19:21.319
 to make time

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.240
 to see other people?

00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.960
 I would love it

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.240
 if all of our lives

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.819
 could be summarized

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.779
 by people saying

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.339
 that we are men

00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:29.699
 and women

00:19:29.699 --> 00:19:30.659
 who love the Lord

00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:32.599
 who love his word

00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:34.179
 who love his church

00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:35.480
 who love the lost

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.859
 and who spent

00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.359
 their time

00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.519
 proclaiming Jesus

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.099
 to a world

00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.720
 that is dying

00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.339
 without him.

00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:44.240
 This might sound

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.159
 like a really funny way

00:19:45.159 --> 00:19:46.159
 to end the book of Acts.

00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.799
 There's no mention

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.240
 of Paul meeting

00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.139
 the church in Rome.

00:19:49.699 --> 00:19:50.399
 No mention

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:51.220
 of his trial

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.959
 before Caesar.

00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.519
 No mention

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.599
 of his death either.

00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.799
 And I think Luke

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.899
 has done that deliberately

00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:58.720
 to take the focus

00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.699
 off of Paul

00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.299
 and instead

00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:00.879
 to focus

00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:02.220
 on the continued work

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.019
 of the spread

00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.899
 of God's word.

00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:06.079
 You know those

00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.119
 series you see

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.720
 on television

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.819
 or you watch online?

00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.319
 You get to that final episode

00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.139
 of the series

00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.839
 where everything's

00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.559
 been building up

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.139
 to this point.

00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.720
 You're waiting

00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.599
 for the conclusion

00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.460
 and then it says

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.539
 to be continued

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.659
 and you scream

00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.339
 at the telly.

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.059
 Verse 31

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.700
 is basically

00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:24.220
 a big to be continued sign

00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:26.559
 because the focus

00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.439
 through our Acts

00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:28.319
 has been the spread

00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.039
 of God's word,

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.059
 the spread of the gospel.

00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.619
 We see in Acts

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.839
 chapter 6 verse 7

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.819
 in chapter 9

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.919
 verse 31

00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.919
 in chapter 12

00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.819
 verse 24

00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:38.059
 in chapter 16

00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.740
 verse 5

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.740
 in chapter 19

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.519
 verse 20

00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:42.720
 time and time again

00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:44.180
 the focus

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.160
 has been

00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.400
 on the gospel

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.039
 spreading

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.740
 and it's always

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:50.359
 been the consistent

00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:52.480
 same message

00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.559
 of Jesus Christ.

00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.160
 No frills,

00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.160
 no softening it,

00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:59.140
 no sugarcoating it

00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.299
 but simply presenting

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.900
 the good news

00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.339
 of Jesus

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:03.759
 to the world

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.880
 and leaving the results

00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.620
 up to God.

00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:07.480
 Friends,

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.539
 as we go into this world

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.240
 and we try

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.779
 to live the Christian life

00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.720
 we need to know

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.240
 the gospel.

00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:15.079
 We never graduate

00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:16.000
 from the gospel

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:18.099
 but we should

00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:18.900
 and we shouldn't be

00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:19.339
 promoting

00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.420
 any other messages

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.319
 but consistently

00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.160
 telling people

00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:23.140
 the same message

00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.259
 that everyone

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.099
 is born

00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.339
 into this life

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.220
 in rebellion

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.039
 against God.

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.660
 Naturally

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.519
 his enemies

00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.500
 and deserving

00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.420
 of his wrath

00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.259
 that nobody

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.440
 can save themselves.

00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.039
 We can never

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.799
 be good enough

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.519
 or do enough

00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.039
 to be right

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.480
 with God

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.140
 on our own

00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:41.799
 but God

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.440
 sent his son

00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:42.740
 Jesus

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.400
 to take the

00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:43.819
 punishment

00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.519
 that we all

00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:44.900
 deserve

00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:47.160
 so that all

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.500
 those who

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.220
 believe in him

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.200
 are forgiven

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.299
 and made right

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.839
 with God.

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.900
 Jesus died

00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.460
 on the cross

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.160
 dying the death

00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.980
 that we all

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.480
 deserve.

00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.920
 He rose victorious

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.660
 from the grave

00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.799
 defeating sin

00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.039
 defeating death

00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.579
 and has gone

00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.220
 to the Father

00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.720
 in heaven

00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.980
 where he is

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.939
 preparing a place

00:22:03.939 --> 00:22:05.059
 for his people

00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.679
 and one day

00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:07.519
 when he returns

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.419
 all the Lord's

00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:09.179
 people will gather

00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:10.099
 in his presence

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.839
 for eternity

00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:13.779
 and all those

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.759
 who reject

00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.599
 Jesus

00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.379
 will

00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.659
 in this life

00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.159
 will spend

00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:18.679
 eternity

00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.559
 under the just

00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.439
 wrath of God.

00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.619
 You see

00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:24.659
 the end of Acts

00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.939
 is just the end

00:22:25.939 --> 00:22:26.819
 of the beginning

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.519
 of the story.

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.779
 The story

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.619
 of the spread

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.279
 of God's word

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.180
 continues today

00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.799
 as Christians

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.299
 go out

00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.319
 and consistently

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.779
 live the Christian

00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.279
 life.

00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.879
 As Jack

00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.740
 as we all

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.039
 go into our work

00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.940
 our friend circles

00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.660
 our families

00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.700
 as we make

00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.180
 the most

00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.319
 of every opportunity

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.779
 as we teach

00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.420
 everyone

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.220
 about Jesus

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.940
 and as we remember

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.559
 that the gospel

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.599
 comes with a house key.

00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:53.980
 See we're all

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.500
 lured in

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.579
 by the promise

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.539
 of a quick fix.

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.539
 We live in a world

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.359
 that want things

00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.219
 that want things

00:23:00.219 --> 00:23:00.819
 immediately

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.939
 without much effort

00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:03.799
 whether that's

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.979
 getting six pack

00:23:04.979 --> 00:23:05.339
 abs

00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.099
 the newest

00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.919
 kitchen gadget

00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.679
 or a miracle

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.619
 cleaning product

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.779
 we love

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:11.039
 a quick fix

00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.699
 but they rarely

00:23:11.699 --> 00:23:12.240
 work

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.459
 because the key

00:23:13.459 --> 00:23:14.859
 is consistency.

00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.979
 That's how we

00:23:16.979 --> 00:23:17.500
 become better

00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.059
 at our jobs

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.740
 that's how we

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.579
 achieve the things

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.159
 we want

00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:21.959
 and it's also

00:23:21.959 --> 00:23:22.679
 how we continue

00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:23.240
 to grow

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:23.899
 and mature

00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.679
 in our faith

00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.779
 as we consistently

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.619
 live the Christian

00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.099
 life.

00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.599
 That is how

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.959
 God's word

00:23:30.959 --> 00:23:31.719
 spreads.

00:23:32.719 --> 00:23:33.439
 See the book of Acts

00:23:33.439 --> 00:23:34.339
 is a snapshot

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:36.139
 of how the early church

00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.899
 grew and it should

00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.819
 encourage us

00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:39.579
 encourage us

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.679
 to see how great

00:23:40.679 --> 00:23:41.379
 our God is

00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:42.500
 and encourage us

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.899
 to continue that work

00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.719
 for him

00:23:44.719 --> 00:23:46.399
 and for his glory.

00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.379
 Let's pray together.

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:59.580
 Heavenly Father

00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.120
 we thank you

00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.700
 for the immense

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.840
 privilege it is

00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:03.080
 to be your

00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.100
 witnesses in this

00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.480
 world.

00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.980
 Father we thank you

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.840
 for the book of Acts

00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.620
 and all the things

00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.280
 we've been learning

00:24:08.280 --> 00:24:09.160
 over the months

00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.660
 that we've been

00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.520
 in this series

00:24:10.520 --> 00:24:12.800
 but Lord we pray

00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.860
 that by your spirit

00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.560
 you would enable us

00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:16.260
 to remember

00:24:16.260 --> 00:24:17.560
 everything that we learn

00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:19.559
 not only to remember

00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.480
 it but also to put

00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.480
 it into practice

00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:23.339
 that we would be

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.000
 your witnesses

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.480
 in Edinburgh

00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:27.379
 in our workplaces

00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:28.619
 in our family circles

00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.899
 and in our friend circles

00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:31.720
 would we point people

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.500
 to you

00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.779
 with that same

00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.819
 consistent message

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.759
 of Jesus Christ.

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.419
 Father would you

00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:39.200
 help us grow

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.240
 in our love for you

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.919
 our love for your church

00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:45.000
 our love for your word

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.559
 and our love

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.599
 for the lost people

00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.379
 of this world.

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.779
 In Jesus name we pray

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.940
 Amen.