169 00:27:21.125 --> 00:27:23.365 I told Dwayne if he didn't put my table in the right spot, 170 00:27:23.366 --> 00:27:26.405 it's okay 'cause I can move it, move it if I need to. 171 00:27:28.565 --> 00:27:33.285 uh, I was 16 years old and I was at home and I was up late one night 172 00:27:33.725 --> 00:27:37.605 watching professional wrestling. Uh, and uh, 173 00:27:38.305 --> 00:27:43.244 the reason why I had tuned in was because John Cena was defending his 174 00:27:43.505 --> 00:27:46.165 WWE e championship in a triple threat cage match. Okay? 175 00:27:47.275 --> 00:27:49.965 What I got was way more than what I bargained for. Uh, 176 00:27:50.075 --> 00:27:53.085 that night as the broadcast was going off the air, it was May 2nd, 177 00:27:53.725 --> 00:27:57.605 and we had just gone a little bit past midnight. And as the match ends, 178 00:27:57.885 --> 00:27:59.285 John Cena standing in the, in the ring, 179 00:27:59.345 --> 00:28:02.805 he has the belt over his head and you can see the referee walk over to him and 180 00:28:02.806 --> 00:28:03.725 whisper something in his ear. 181 00:28:04.385 --> 00:28:08.325 And so he grabs a microphone and he stands up on top of the announcement booth 182 00:28:08.715 --> 00:28:13.494 shirtless jorts the whole deal. And he says, 183 00:28:13.635 --> 00:28:14.695 ladies and gentlemen, 184 00:28:15.515 --> 00:28:20.295 the president has just announced that we have caught and compromised 185 00:28:20.315 --> 00:28:22.895 to a permanent end Osama Bin Laden. 186 00:28:24.605 --> 00:28:29.265 And the place went insane. As you can imagine, in early two thousands, 187 00:28:29.266 --> 00:28:32.065 wrestling crowd would, right? I mean there were people high fiving each other. 188 00:28:32.665 --> 00:28:34.545 Uh, people were in tears, there was laughter. 189 00:28:34.546 --> 00:28:38.105 There was one shot of a guy who literally took his kid and threw him in the air 190 00:28:38.106 --> 00:28:40.505 and caught him. Like people had lost their minds. 191 00:28:40.506 --> 00:28:42.545 And as the broadcast went off of the air, 192 00:28:42.965 --> 00:28:46.625 it ended in one of the most patriotic scenes I can remember in my lifetime. 193 00:28:46.645 --> 00:28:48.905 It was people shouting you, SA you 194 00:28:50.465 --> 00:28:52.865 S-A-U-S-A and then the scream phase to black. And for the rest of the week, 195 00:28:53.555 --> 00:28:58.265 everywhere you went and everyone that you talked to started their conversations 196 00:28:58.285 --> 00:29:02.295 the exact same way. Did you hear we got 'em? 197 00:29:03.455 --> 00:29:05.515 Didn't matter where you went. Could have been school, could have been work, 198 00:29:05.516 --> 00:29:08.355 could have just been out in public grocery store, whatever. Did you hear it? 199 00:29:08.775 --> 00:29:13.115 We got 'em. So me, I show up to church, uh, 200 00:29:13.215 --> 00:29:15.715 one day that week I was just going to hang out with my youth pastor. 201 00:29:15.815 --> 00:29:17.835 His name was Grant. And uh, 202 00:29:17.995 --> 00:29:20.995 I start off the conversation the way everybody else did. Grant, did you hear? 203 00:29:21.815 --> 00:29:25.995 We got him. And in a somber tone, he goes, 204 00:29:26.925 --> 00:29:27.758 yeah, I heard. 205 00:29:29.675 --> 00:29:33.095 And this was the first time I had been met with that sort of response. 206 00:29:33.215 --> 00:29:36.855 I was like, why is like, this is one of the most patriotic, 207 00:29:37.355 --> 00:29:41.445 one of the most selfless justice seeking men that I know. As a matter of fact, 208 00:29:41.585 --> 00:29:44.525 before he became my youth pastor, and again today, 209 00:29:44.665 --> 00:29:49.645 he was and is a cop like this man put on a badge every single day 210 00:29:49.646 --> 00:29:51.085 to go out and fight for justice. 211 00:29:51.465 --> 00:29:55.405 And this was what seemed to be one of the greatest acts of justice the world had 212 00:29:55.406 --> 00:29:58.645 ever seen. And he seemed pretty down about it. And I was like, well, 213 00:29:58.865 --> 00:30:01.845 what's going on man? Why do you, why do you sound like that? 214 00:30:03.395 --> 00:30:07.025 And what he told me next, it jarred me. He said, 215 00:30:09.635 --> 00:30:12.715 I had been praying that Osama Bin Laden would get to know Jesus. 216 00:30:17.885 --> 00:30:22.845 And I remember what was disturbing to me was not what he said. 217 00:30:23.625 --> 00:30:28.295 It was my heart and me recognizing that that 218 00:30:28.296 --> 00:30:29.975 thought had never crossed my mind. 219 00:30:32.115 --> 00:30:35.525 Like this guy is public enemy number one. And the only thought, 220 00:30:35.595 --> 00:30:40.285 like the only conclusion to this situation that I could imagine was either he 221 00:30:40.286 --> 00:30:42.885 wins or we win. I never considered the gospel. 222 00:30:44.565 --> 00:30:49.565 I never considered that the gospel that had transformed my life could also reach 223 00:30:49.665 --> 00:30:53.625 his. I had never considered that, 224 00:30:53.735 --> 00:30:57.545 that the gospel had jurisdiction in the compound where he was found 225 00:31:00.555 --> 00:31:04.675 I was uncomfortable. And if you're uncomfortable, 226 00:31:05.595 --> 00:31:09.625 welcome to Acts chapter nine. If you have your Bible, 227 00:31:09.645 --> 00:31:11.145 go ahead and turn there. Um, 228 00:31:11.146 --> 00:31:13.905 we're gonna be taking a look at Acts chapter nine through 11. 229 00:31:15.665 --> 00:31:18.565 And in these stories we're gonna be taking a look at a couple of different 230 00:31:18.566 --> 00:31:21.565 people. Okay? Now, I wanna let you know right off the bat, uh, you're like, man, 231 00:31:21.566 --> 00:31:25.125 three chapters. That sounds like a lot. It is. So we're gonna fly through these. 232 00:31:25.395 --> 00:31:27.365 It's gonna be kind of more of a survey than anything. 233 00:31:27.366 --> 00:31:30.605 Hopefully you're kind of familiar with these stories because you've been 234 00:31:30.606 --> 00:31:33.125 following along with us in the Hope in Real Life app, uh, 235 00:31:33.126 --> 00:31:36.205 reading the 28 day reading plan that we've been in as a church. Which, 236 00:31:36.235 --> 00:31:37.925 just a quick aside, let me just say, 237 00:31:38.245 --> 00:31:41.245 I loved seeing y'all's observation from these passages. 238 00:31:41.246 --> 00:31:44.725 Like I'm learning more about the Bible because of you. So keep up the good work. 239 00:31:45.245 --> 00:31:47.685 Um, but we're gonna fly through these and I'm, 240 00:31:47.686 --> 00:31:50.525 I'm hoping to at least give you enough detail so that if you're not super 241 00:31:50.725 --> 00:31:53.845 familiar with these stories, you will be by the time that we get outta here. 242 00:31:54.785 --> 00:31:58.365 And we start off by looking at the story of a man named Saul. 243 00:32:00.115 --> 00:32:04.975 And Saul in the eyes of the people in his society was public enemy 244 00:32:04.976 --> 00:32:07.575 number one in the Bible. 245 00:32:07.835 --> 00:32:10.095 The the rule of first mention is pretty important. 246 00:32:10.125 --> 00:32:13.495 It's the first time that you're introduced to a person or a theme in the story 247 00:32:13.555 --> 00:32:18.135 and usually the first mention of that person or that theme tells you a whole lot 248 00:32:18.136 --> 00:32:21.455 about what's to follow. And so look at the first time we hear about Saul, 249 00:32:21.456 --> 00:32:23.535 this is in Acts chapter seven, verse 58. 250 00:32:24.355 --> 00:32:28.895 It says that they dragged Stephen who was a man who was uh, 251 00:32:29.025 --> 00:32:33.575 about to be murdered because of his open profession, of his faith in Jesus. 252 00:32:34.655 --> 00:32:35.775 Stephen is the first martyr. 253 00:32:35.805 --> 00:32:39.365 He's the first person who was killed publicly because of his faith. 254 00:32:39.585 --> 00:32:42.365 So they dragged Steven out of the city and they began to stone him. 255 00:32:43.145 --> 00:32:48.005 His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named 256 00:32:48.635 --> 00:32:51.765 Saul. So this is where we're introduced to this guy. 257 00:32:51.766 --> 00:32:55.085 But we learned that Saul wasn't just playing coat check like he was actually 258 00:32:55.605 --> 00:32:56.685 inspired by this moment. 259 00:32:56.785 --> 00:32:59.765 He may have already been an active participant in this moment. 260 00:32:59.945 --> 00:33:01.605 And we read on Acts chapter eight, 261 00:33:01.965 --> 00:33:05.325 verses one through three says that Saul was one of the witnesses and he agreed 262 00:33:05.335 --> 00:33:07.685 completely with the killing of Stephen. 263 00:33:09.675 --> 00:33:11.795 A great wave of persecution began that day, 264 00:33:11.796 --> 00:33:14.795 sweeping over the church in Jerusalem. And all the believers, 265 00:33:14.855 --> 00:33:18.835 except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 266 00:33:19.785 --> 00:33:22.635 Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning, 267 00:33:22.636 --> 00:33:26.235 but Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. 268 00:33:29.075 --> 00:33:30.295 He went from house to house, 269 00:33:31.695 --> 00:33:34.055 dragging out both men and women to throw them in prison. 270 00:33:34.675 --> 00:33:39.135 As far as the church is concerned, this is public enemy number one. 271 00:33:40.195 --> 00:33:44.335 And it seems as if Saul is gonna be the one to single handedly put this Jesus 272 00:33:44.735 --> 00:33:48.615 movement on a screeching halt. But then we reach Acts chapter nine. 273 00:33:51.115 --> 00:33:51.975 It says, meanwhile, 274 00:33:52.085 --> 00:33:56.735 Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's 275 00:33:56.736 --> 00:33:57.975 followers. Okay? 276 00:33:58.725 --> 00:34:02.575 Like this man had dreams about killing Christians. 277 00:34:03.795 --> 00:34:05.415 So he went to the high priest, 278 00:34:05.795 --> 00:34:09.094 he requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, 279 00:34:09.114 --> 00:34:12.815 asking for the cooperation in the arrest of any of the followers of the way he 280 00:34:12.816 --> 00:34:13.515 found there. 281 00:34:13.515 --> 00:34:18.375 He wanted to bring them both men and women back to Jerusalem in chains. 282 00:34:19.275 --> 00:34:21.375 As he was approaching Damascus on his mission, 283 00:34:21.855 --> 00:34:24.175 a light from heaven shone down around him. 284 00:34:24.555 --> 00:34:27.815 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, 285 00:34:28.275 --> 00:34:33.145 why are you persecuting me? And Saul goes, well, 286 00:34:33.146 --> 00:34:37.375 who are you? And the voice replied, I am Jesus 287 00:34:38.995 --> 00:34:40.455 the one you are persecuting. 288 00:34:41.295 --> 00:34:44.315 Now get up and go into the city and you'll be told what you must do. 289 00:34:44.316 --> 00:34:48.395 And so that's what Saul does. He goes into Damascus and he just waits there. 290 00:34:49.105 --> 00:34:53.235 Meanwhile, God starts having another conversation with a man named an Ananias. 291 00:34:53.695 --> 00:34:55.715 Now an Ananias we're told by the scripture, 292 00:34:55.815 --> 00:34:59.075 he is the disciple of the way of Jesus. He is a follower of Jesus. 293 00:34:59.335 --> 00:35:02.155 And God gives him a vision where he says, Hey Ananias, 294 00:35:02.156 --> 00:35:04.835 I need you to do me a favor man. I need you to go into Damascus. 295 00:35:04.875 --> 00:35:08.555 I need you to find this guy named Saul of Tarsus and I need you to lay hands on 296 00:35:08.556 --> 00:35:12.795 him and I need you to pray for him. And he said, Saul, of who now 297 00:35:14.785 --> 00:35:16.035 like Saul, Saul 298 00:35:17.765 --> 00:35:21.065 the one who has the authority and the means to murder me. 299 00:35:22.105 --> 00:35:26.325 You want me to go lay hands on him like you're literally asking me to go and 300 00:35:26.326 --> 00:35:30.395 poke the bear. But the Lord said to him, 301 00:35:31.435 --> 00:35:36.335 go for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry 302 00:35:36.475 --> 00:35:39.685 my name before the gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 303 00:35:42.305 --> 00:35:43.445 So in Ananias, in faith, 304 00:35:43.505 --> 00:35:47.045 he goes to Saul and he lays hands on him and he prays for him. 305 00:35:47.225 --> 00:35:49.085 And Saul gets filled with the Holy Spirit, 306 00:35:49.265 --> 00:35:53.085 he gets baptized and later on Saul would be referred to as Paul. 307 00:35:54.065 --> 00:35:55.805 And if you're not familiar with the Bible, 308 00:35:56.305 --> 00:36:00.965 the next 13 books after the book of Acts are all written by this guy, 309 00:36:03.285 --> 00:36:05.335 this murderer turned missionary. 310 00:36:05.395 --> 00:36:08.655 He would become the greatest contributor to the Bible and the greatest 311 00:36:08.656 --> 00:36:10.215 evangelist the world has ever known. 312 00:36:12.135 --> 00:36:15.525 We're gonna press pause on his story for just a minute here. 313 00:36:15.585 --> 00:36:19.765 Now I want to go into chapters 10 and 11 where we hear another story that I 314 00:36:19.766 --> 00:36:23.285 think Luke intentionally puts right next to the story of the conversion of Saul. 315 00:36:23.515 --> 00:36:27.005 This one is about a man named Cornelius. Now Cornelius, 316 00:36:27.025 --> 00:36:30.005 he was a Roman centurion who lived in Caesarea. 317 00:36:30.225 --> 00:36:34.685 And the Bible tells us he was a a, a devout man who feared the God of Israel. 318 00:36:36.205 --> 00:36:37.725 Uh, and he prayed continually. 319 00:36:38.105 --> 00:36:41.285 Now even though he worshiped and feared the God of Israel, 320 00:36:41.505 --> 00:36:45.445 we learned that he probably didn't learn about the way of Jesus Christ. 321 00:36:45.785 --> 00:36:50.005 He hadn't accepted the truth about Jesus, which was and still is to this day, 322 00:36:50.185 --> 00:36:53.565 the only way to truly receive forgiveness, salvation, 323 00:36:53.805 --> 00:36:58.675 and the gift of the Holy Spirit. So one day, 324 00:36:58.745 --> 00:37:03.275 Cornelius is, is praying and just like, uh, um, 325 00:37:03.835 --> 00:37:08.185 uh, Ananias, he is also having a vision. And God says, Hey, 326 00:37:08.425 --> 00:37:10.665 I want you to send for a man named Peter. 327 00:37:10.815 --> 00:37:12.945 This is the same Peter that we know from the gospels. 328 00:37:12.946 --> 00:37:16.785 He was one of Jesus's disciples. Now he's an apostle of the early church. 329 00:37:17.685 --> 00:37:21.465 And so he does that. He sends three of his guys to go out and get Peter. 330 00:37:21.565 --> 00:37:24.625 And then we pick up to see the work that God is doing with Peter. 331 00:37:24.626 --> 00:37:29.045 Behind the scenes Acts chapter 10 verses nine through 16. It says, 332 00:37:29.046 --> 00:37:29.879 the next day, 333 00:37:30.614 --> 00:37:33.805 while Cornelius's men were on their journey and approaching the city, 334 00:37:33.815 --> 00:37:38.685 Peter went up to the house top about the sixth hour to pray and he became hungry 335 00:37:38.945 --> 00:37:42.655 and wanted something to eat. But while they were preparing it, 336 00:37:42.675 --> 00:37:46.935 he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great 337 00:37:47.065 --> 00:37:48.215 sheet descending, 338 00:37:48.385 --> 00:37:53.375 being let down by its four corners upon the earth in it were all kinds of 339 00:37:53.376 --> 00:37:56.935 animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, 340 00:37:57.005 --> 00:38:00.235 rise Peter, kill and eat. 341 00:38:01.495 --> 00:38:04.835 But Peter was like, nah, nah, God. , I see what you're doing here. 342 00:38:04.836 --> 00:38:09.355 This is a pop quiz, man, I'm, I'm too good of a rule follower to break this out, 343 00:38:09.356 --> 00:38:12.795 right or to break against this rule. He says, by no means Lord, 344 00:38:13.594 --> 00:38:16.955 I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. 345 00:38:16.956 --> 00:38:20.235 This was his way of saying, I've never eaten anything that isn't kosher. 346 00:38:21.375 --> 00:38:24.795 And the voice came to him again a second time and said, 347 00:38:24.796 --> 00:38:29.235 what God has made clean do not call common or 348 00:38:29.905 --> 00:38:32.755 some other translations put it, don't call it unclean. 349 00:38:33.945 --> 00:38:38.915 This happened three times and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 350 00:38:41.835 --> 00:38:45.975 Are you confused ? If so, it's fine because so was Peter. 351 00:38:46.075 --> 00:38:49.415 He woke up and was like, dude, I need to get food quick. This is wild. 352 00:38:51.955 --> 00:38:53.495 But God doesn't give him answer right away. 353 00:38:54.265 --> 00:38:57.275 Instead the Holy Spirit speaks to him and he says, Hey listen Peter, uh, 354 00:38:57.355 --> 00:39:00.155 I this is what you need to do right now. In just a moment, 355 00:39:00.156 --> 00:39:01.395 three men are gonna come to the house. 356 00:39:01.515 --> 00:39:03.955 I need you to go with them without hesitation. So that's what happens. 357 00:39:04.235 --> 00:39:05.235 The three men knock on the door, 358 00:39:05.285 --> 00:39:08.715 Peter goes out with them and then they go back to the house of Cornelius. 359 00:39:08.716 --> 00:39:09.555 And when he gets there, 360 00:39:09.665 --> 00:39:13.675 Cornelius falls and bows at Peter's feet and he begins to worship him. 361 00:39:13.676 --> 00:39:17.835 And then Peter lifts him up. This is Acts 10 26 and said, stand up. 362 00:39:18.635 --> 00:39:20.315 'cause I too am a man. 363 00:39:21.485 --> 00:39:25.344 This is a big deal and this is a beautiful moment because 364 00:39:26.715 --> 00:39:31.295 Jewish men in the Gentiles, they didn't respect one another. 365 00:39:32.375 --> 00:39:36.835 As we learn about in this next passage here, verse 28, 366 00:39:37.655 --> 00:39:42.515 you yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with 367 00:39:42.614 --> 00:39:44.715 or to visit anyone of another nation. 368 00:39:45.895 --> 00:39:50.635 But God has shown me today that I should not call any person common 369 00:39:50.775 --> 00:39:55.405 or unclean. So when I was sent for I came without objection, 370 00:39:55.805 --> 00:39:58.805 I ask then why you sent for me. So notice what happens here to Peter. 371 00:39:59.015 --> 00:40:02.125 Peter has this light bulb moment where I believe the Holy Spirit speaks to him 372 00:40:02.126 --> 00:40:04.805 and he says, Hey, that dream ain't got nothing to do with pork, bro. 373 00:40:06.205 --> 00:40:09.535 This dream is all about how there were certain things you wouldn't touch, 374 00:40:09.685 --> 00:40:13.614 certain things you wouldn't interact with before certain people you said you 375 00:40:13.615 --> 00:40:17.855 wouldn't be caught dead with. And now Peter, I'm calling you to those people. 376 00:40:17.995 --> 00:40:21.855 And so, uh, Cornelius explains his end of the deal. He goes, Hey man, listen, 377 00:40:21.935 --> 00:40:24.455 I don't know why you're here either, but God told me to sin for you. 378 00:40:24.456 --> 00:40:28.015 You're here what you got to say. And so over the next few verses, 379 00:40:28.016 --> 00:40:29.655 the next nine verses, listen to me. 380 00:40:29.795 --> 00:40:33.455 If you're here and you are not a follower of Jesus and maybe you're wondering, 381 00:40:33.525 --> 00:40:34.695 what do you guys believe? 382 00:40:35.065 --> 00:40:39.175 These next nine verses are beautiful because in it Peter 383 00:40:39.575 --> 00:40:43.655 explains the faith that we have. He talks about how God shows no partiality, 384 00:40:43.875 --> 00:40:46.215 but he accepts those who fear and obey him. 385 00:40:46.915 --> 00:40:50.055 He tells him about how Jesus's time in Galilee, uh, 386 00:40:50.056 --> 00:40:53.375 about Jesus' time in Galilee and how when Jesus being filled with the Holy 387 00:40:53.376 --> 00:40:56.455 Spirit would go out and usher in the kingdom of heaven. 388 00:40:56.665 --> 00:41:01.535 Everything that Jesus did was good. But despite this, 389 00:41:02.075 --> 00:41:06.605 he was put to death and three days later he rose again. 390 00:41:07.465 --> 00:41:12.364 And ever since the church has been on the move spreading the good news to 391 00:41:12.365 --> 00:41:16.485 people, testifying to the fact that Jesus was in fact who he said he was. 392 00:41:18.175 --> 00:41:22.195 And now the job of the church was to invite everyone into that relationship. 393 00:41:22.335 --> 00:41:24.155 And then something incredible happens. 394 00:41:25.225 --> 00:41:27.805 I'm gonna read this and I want you to tell me if this sounds a little bit 395 00:41:28.045 --> 00:41:30.685 familiar to you. Acts 10 44 through 48. 396 00:41:30.844 --> 00:41:32.844 It says that while Peter was still saying these things, 397 00:41:33.145 --> 00:41:36.325 the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 398 00:41:36.905 --> 00:41:41.245 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed 399 00:41:41.315 --> 00:41:45.445 because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles, 400 00:41:46.625 --> 00:41:49.325 for they were hearing them speak in tongues and extolling God. 401 00:41:50.375 --> 00:41:51.344 Then Peter declared, 402 00:41:51.705 --> 00:41:55.745 can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy 403 00:41:55.746 --> 00:41:56.864 Spirit just as we have? 404 00:41:57.485 --> 00:42:00.225 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus. 405 00:42:00.655 --> 00:42:04.625 Then they asked him to remain for some days. If this sounds familiar, 406 00:42:05.125 --> 00:42:08.625 it should because this is the same scene we see in the beginning of Acts. 407 00:42:09.175 --> 00:42:12.505 Gary talked about this a few weeks ago. This is the day of Pentecost. 408 00:42:12.506 --> 00:42:15.705 But before it was only happening for the Israelites. 409 00:42:16.245 --> 00:42:20.344 It was only happened for the Jews, for God's chosen people. 410 00:42:20.485 --> 00:42:25.265 But now this same gift that thought was only for them is being poured out on all 411 00:42:25.266 --> 00:42:28.305 people. This is a reason why this is a big deal to us today church, 412 00:42:28.306 --> 00:42:31.105 because that's the moment where we got access. 413 00:42:32.585 --> 00:42:37.075 This is the moment of the church where every single one of us in this room was 414 00:42:37.185 --> 00:42:41.635 allowed into the presence of God. The doors of heaven flung open, 415 00:42:41.735 --> 00:42:43.835 the Holy Spirit was poured out and we were let in. 416 00:42:46.675 --> 00:42:50.695 God began to pour out his flesh on all people. 417 00:42:52.275 --> 00:42:54.675 Now you would think everybody would be excited about this, 418 00:42:55.765 --> 00:42:59.825 but there's a group of guys who Peter goes back to to tell them about what 419 00:43:00.025 --> 00:43:01.785 happened. And I'm not kidding you. 420 00:43:02.765 --> 00:43:07.614 The ESV calls them the circumcision 421 00:43:07.615 --> 00:43:11.655 party. Does this sound like a miserable group of guys to you? 422 00:43:11.685 --> 00:43:15.215 Like let's just . If I ever meet a miserable Christian, I'd be like, 423 00:43:15.335 --> 00:43:17.175 oh man, here comes the circumcision party. Here they are. 424 00:43:17.395 --> 00:43:20.415 And the reason why they earned that name was because they were stickler for the 425 00:43:20.416 --> 00:43:25.065 rules. They were the ones who just like Peter would've said, nah, God, 426 00:43:25.125 --> 00:43:28.145 I'm not touching that. That stuff is unclean. But then Peter, 427 00:43:28.245 --> 00:43:30.505 he explains to them what happens. 428 00:43:31.795 --> 00:43:35.165 Acts 1115 through 18, Peter said, as I began to speak, 429 00:43:35.166 --> 00:43:38.885 the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us at the beginning. 430 00:43:39.545 --> 00:43:43.125 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John baptized with water, 431 00:43:43.225 --> 00:43:45.165 but you'll be baptized with the Holy Spirit 432 00:43:47.285 --> 00:43:51.985 if then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we 433 00:43:52.225 --> 00:43:56.785 believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way 434 00:43:59.575 --> 00:44:00.585 When they heard these things, 435 00:44:00.586 --> 00:44:05.105 they fell silent and they glorified God saying then to the 436 00:44:05.225 --> 00:44:10.145 Gentiles, also God has granted repentance that leads to life. Listen, 437 00:44:10.165 --> 00:44:11.545 in our last few minutes here together, 438 00:44:12.305 --> 00:44:15.385 I want us to take a look at these two stories and to kind of compare and 439 00:44:15.625 --> 00:44:17.905 contrast a couple of things that we see. Because again, 440 00:44:17.945 --> 00:44:22.265 I think Luke put these stories together on purpose because he wants to teach us 441 00:44:22.266 --> 00:44:26.905 something about the way that God calls his church to move. 442 00:44:26.906 --> 00:44:30.625 These are two incredible stories with two unlikely converts. 443 00:44:31.065 --> 00:44:33.285 And there's six observations that I want us to take from this. 444 00:44:33.305 --> 00:44:37.245 The first one is this, that when it comes to being a church on the move, 445 00:44:37.505 --> 00:44:40.795 God builds bridges where we build barriers. 446 00:44:45.475 --> 00:44:46.395 In both of these stories, 447 00:44:47.905 --> 00:44:52.075 both Cornelius and Saul have reasons why they 448 00:44:52.475 --> 00:44:56.594 shouldn't be recipients of God's grace. For Paul, 449 00:44:57.135 --> 00:45:01.035 it was because of things he had done. He had captured Christians, 450 00:45:01.455 --> 00:45:02.795 he had murdered Christians, 451 00:45:03.145 --> 00:45:06.755 dude had a sketchy past for Cornelius. 452 00:45:06.895 --> 00:45:08.155 He was trying to do things right, 453 00:45:08.975 --> 00:45:13.195 but it was Peter's bias towards him that made him think, oh God, him 454 00:45:14.745 --> 00:45:15.578 the Gentiles. 455 00:45:17.295 --> 00:45:19.475 And I just want to ask you if you've ever been in a position where, 456 00:45:19.565 --> 00:45:21.114 where the same has happened to you, 457 00:45:22.635 --> 00:45:26.435 where maybe you thought someone was too far gone to receive the grace of God, 458 00:45:27.155 --> 00:45:31.535 either because of the way you viewed them based on yourself and the sinfulness 459 00:45:31.555 --> 00:45:34.655 in your own heart or based on the sinfulness of their own past. 460 00:45:36.755 --> 00:45:41.495 And I just wonder who are the people that we've built barriers around to keep 461 00:45:41.496 --> 00:45:46.125 them from receiving the grace of God? We sing a song here a few minutes ago. 462 00:45:46.185 --> 00:45:49.925 God, you pick me up, you turn me around, you place my feet on solid ground. 463 00:45:51.745 --> 00:45:56.235 But can you really do that for them? Yes he can. 464 00:45:56.255 --> 00:45:58.635 You know why I love those lyrics? 465 00:45:58.636 --> 00:46:03.315 Because you know the only part of that story you contribute laying on the ground 466 00:46:04.035 --> 00:46:04.868 467 00:46:06.175 --> 00:46:10.235 and Jesus picked you up and he turned you around. 468 00:46:10.855 --> 00:46:12.875 He placed you on solid ground. 469 00:46:13.535 --> 00:46:17.195 And so if salvation is only a work of what he's done and not because of 470 00:46:17.196 --> 00:46:17.655 ourselves, 471 00:46:17.655 --> 00:46:21.555 how can we think that anyone can disqualify themselves from that same grace? 472 00:46:23.285 --> 00:46:25.905 If he did it for us, he can do it for them. 473 00:46:27.005 --> 00:46:31.545 So who is the person or the people that you've built a role around thinking 474 00:46:31.775 --> 00:46:34.065 that there wasn't room for them in the kingdom? 475 00:46:36.285 --> 00:46:38.995 Maybe it was a bully that you've had in your life at some point, 476 00:46:39.055 --> 00:46:40.594 or an ex-spouse. 477 00:46:41.565 --> 00:46:46.395 Maybe there's a child who seems to have gone far from home and seems like 478 00:46:46.396 --> 00:46:49.875 there's no hope of them turning back. Maybe it's a boss, a coworker, 479 00:46:51.205 --> 00:46:55.585 the Democrat, the Republican, the same sex couple in your neighborhood, 480 00:46:57.185 --> 00:47:00.105 the friend who stabbed you in the back, a parent that you don't talk to anymore. 481 00:47:02.485 --> 00:47:05.265 Who is the person that you consider too far gone? 482 00:47:06.675 --> 00:47:09.695 I'm sure people thought that of Saul, but remember what God called him? 483 00:47:09.696 --> 00:47:13.135 He said that Saul is my chosen instrument. 484 00:47:16.185 --> 00:47:18.535 Could it be that God wants to use them as well? 485 00:47:21.225 --> 00:47:25.245 If God builds bridges, it's bridges are made for you to go somewhere. 486 00:47:25.265 --> 00:47:30.245 And I believe that God will often move us out of our comfort zone. 487 00:47:33.015 --> 00:47:36.875 Before God uh, met Saul on the road to Damascus, 488 00:47:38.055 --> 00:47:43.045 the pressure was put on the church. It was the persecution of the church, 489 00:47:43.046 --> 00:47:46.485 this church who had received the message of the gospel but wasn't going 490 00:47:46.765 --> 00:47:47.598 anywhere. 491 00:47:48.445 --> 00:47:52.425 It was for them that God used persecution to get them to scatter. Why? 492 00:47:52.426 --> 00:47:54.864 Because the gospel is always made to move. 493 00:47:57.225 --> 00:47:59.885 The gospel is always made to move. 494 00:48:00.185 --> 00:48:05.005 And so I just wonder like do you think the church was moved out of their 495 00:48:05.006 --> 00:48:06.125 comfort zone? I think they were. 496 00:48:06.344 --> 00:48:09.685 Do you think Peter was sent out of his comfort zone when God said, 497 00:48:09.725 --> 00:48:11.445 I want you to go to the Gentiles. 498 00:48:11.665 --> 00:48:14.125 Was Aniah sent out of his comfort zone when he said, 499 00:48:14.205 --> 00:48:16.405 I want you to go and talk to a murderer? Yes, 500 00:48:19.335 --> 00:48:20.955 God sends his church on the move, 501 00:48:20.956 --> 00:48:25.875 but the scary part is that often where he chooses to send us or how he chooses 502 00:48:25.876 --> 00:48:27.795 to send us doesn't always look right to us. 503 00:48:30.055 --> 00:48:32.114 And this is the reason why the next thing is so important. 504 00:48:32.495 --> 00:48:37.235 We have to be in tune with the Holy Spirit in order to know when and where to 505 00:48:37.236 --> 00:48:38.069 move. 506 00:48:40.114 --> 00:48:44.965 Both Peter and an Ananias recognized that the Lord was 507 00:48:44.966 --> 00:48:45.799 talking to them. 508 00:48:46.965 --> 00:48:51.225 And I just wonder if we're in tune enough with the Holy Spirit that when he 509 00:48:51.235 --> 00:48:54.625 sends us and tells us to go, we can say this is a God thing. 510 00:48:56.555 --> 00:48:59.135 And maybe you deal with that. Maybe you struggle with, well, 511 00:48:59.136 --> 00:49:01.455 how do I know if it's God or not? 512 00:49:02.195 --> 00:49:05.375 How do I know if this is actually the Holy Spirit talking to me or not? 513 00:49:05.535 --> 00:49:07.455 I recommend you refer to the previous point. 514 00:49:07.605 --> 00:49:09.775 He's probably gonna call you out of your comfort zone. 515 00:49:13.255 --> 00:49:16.815 I think there's a chance that if the Holy Spirit is never calling you out of 516 00:49:16.816 --> 00:49:20.235 your comfort zone, then maybe you're not listening to the Spirit. 517 00:49:21.985 --> 00:49:26.844 If the Holy Spirit sounds a whole lot like you and you feel like the Holy Spirit 518 00:49:26.845 --> 00:49:29.725 always has great ideas that you never feel the need to push back on, 519 00:49:31.155 --> 00:49:36.125 there could be a chance that you're not in tune with the Spirit. 520 00:49:37.344 --> 00:49:38.285 Here's another sign. 521 00:49:39.185 --> 00:49:44.085 The Holy Spirit will often call you into situations that you can't possibly be 522 00:49:44.086 --> 00:49:45.565 successful in without him. 523 00:49:47.614 --> 00:49:49.315 If it was something you could go and do on your own, 524 00:49:49.316 --> 00:49:51.235 well then why would you need the spirit? Right? 525 00:49:51.295 --> 00:49:55.075 But this is such a grace and a gift of God that he says, no, I am. 526 00:49:55.335 --> 00:49:59.835 I'm giving you my spirit inside of you going with you. 527 00:50:00.965 --> 00:50:04.935 Like Jesus didn't just say, Hey, go out into all the nations and good luck 528 00:50:06.665 --> 00:50:09.505 . No, he said, I will give you my spirit 529 00:50:11.165 --> 00:50:12.225 who will go with you. 530 00:50:14.635 --> 00:50:17.005 This is just the mo of how God moves. 531 00:50:17.565 --> 00:50:20.565 I think this is the reason why Luke puts both of these stories right next to one 532 00:50:20.566 --> 00:50:22.844 another so that you can't be like, oh, that Saul thing was just a fluke. 533 00:50:24.255 --> 00:50:26.015 It's like, yeah, but look at what he also did with Cornelius. 534 00:50:27.925 --> 00:50:29.385 Fourth thing is this, 535 00:50:29.965 --> 00:50:33.705 is that God sends his church on the move. 536 00:50:35.415 --> 00:50:38.065 What I found really interesting about this story when I was reading through it 537 00:50:38.805 --> 00:50:39.638 was, uh, 538 00:50:41.065 --> 00:50:45.045 all God told Cornelius and Saul to do was, wait, 539 00:50:46.844 --> 00:50:48.585 hey you guys go over here and sit down for a minute. 540 00:50:49.985 --> 00:50:51.885 And God had been working in their hearts. 541 00:50:51.886 --> 00:50:53.805 And so maybe you would think like that would be enough. 542 00:50:55.864 --> 00:50:59.955 Like I'm sure that when God went to Ananias was like, Hey, go lay hands on Saul. 543 00:50:59.956 --> 00:51:03.955 He'd be like, God, can't you handle that? God can't you take care of it? 544 00:51:05.035 --> 00:51:06.165 I don't even know. 545 00:51:06.166 --> 00:51:11.125 Maybe Ananias even knew that God had had conversation with Saul, but still, 546 00:51:11.395 --> 00:51:15.685 what does God do? He includes his church as an integral part of the process. 547 00:51:16.785 --> 00:51:20.565 He says, an Ananias, you've been following me. You're righteous. 548 00:51:20.985 --> 00:51:22.885 And now I'm calling you to go. 549 00:51:24.675 --> 00:51:26.455 One of our things as a church, 550 00:51:27.475 --> 00:51:31.935 one of our goals is that we strive to be relevant and effective. 551 00:51:31.936 --> 00:51:36.614 And so that means we go where people are. Lemme tell you what that doesn't mean. 552 00:51:37.075 --> 00:51:39.895 It doesn't mean that when we get there we compromise our values. 553 00:51:42.114 --> 00:51:46.415 It doesn't mean that we change who we are. Listen, 554 00:51:46.605 --> 00:51:51.094 drawing close to other people is about becoming like Jesus, 555 00:51:51.635 --> 00:51:52.775 not about becoming like them. 556 00:51:54.305 --> 00:51:59.085 And this is why it's so important to stay in tune with the Spirit. 557 00:52:00.385 --> 00:52:03.785 It's so that in your going, you point them to the source of all life. 558 00:52:05.385 --> 00:52:08.955 Just like both Saul, I'm sorry, just like Ananias and Cornelius, 559 00:52:08.975 --> 00:52:13.555 we have the responsibility to do both to pray, but also to move. 560 00:52:16.505 --> 00:52:19.025 The final thing, I'm sorry, number number five is this. 561 00:52:19.675 --> 00:52:23.665 We're called when we get there to love people where they are. 562 00:52:26.475 --> 00:52:30.815 We believe a, a central, uh, just fact of our faith is this, 563 00:52:30.835 --> 00:52:35.135 is that the old is new or I'm sorry, the old is gone and the new has come. 564 00:52:38.114 --> 00:52:41.215 But if we believe that, then we need to start treating people that way. 565 00:52:42.955 --> 00:52:45.535 We need to start saying, Hey, listen, I understand your past. I get it. 566 00:52:45.575 --> 00:52:47.935 I know you messed up, but, but that stuff's in the rear view mirror. 567 00:52:50.175 --> 00:52:51.935 I want you to look ahead to God. 568 00:52:53.055 --> 00:52:56.335 I want you to fix your eyes on the author and the finisher of our faith. 569 00:52:56.355 --> 00:52:59.735 And I'm not gonna, I'm gonna extend you the same grace that God extended me. 570 00:52:59.955 --> 00:53:01.455 I'm not gonna look at you for who you were. 571 00:53:01.594 --> 00:53:05.925 I'm gonna look at you for who you're becoming. You know, part of the reason, 572 00:53:07.975 --> 00:53:09.995 one of the steps that I think that led to, 573 00:53:10.055 --> 00:53:13.594 to Paul going on to write the majority of the New Testament, uh, 574 00:53:13.835 --> 00:53:15.995 it it comes with this. I want you to imagine this. Okay? 575 00:53:16.614 --> 00:53:19.875 You're a Christian and you're just living your life. 576 00:53:20.094 --> 00:53:23.594 You're on the run because you hear this guy named Saul is out to kill you. 577 00:53:24.655 --> 00:53:28.785 And then, then one day you're sitting in a church service and you're singing, 578 00:53:30.415 --> 00:53:33.265 eyes are closed, coffee in your hand, you're having a moment with God. 579 00:53:33.725 --> 00:53:34.665 And the next thing you know, 580 00:53:34.945 --> 00:53:37.344 somebody next to you starts singing and you notice they're a little off key. 581 00:53:37.345 --> 00:53:39.385 So you look out the corner of your eye and you look and it's all 582 00:53:41.695 --> 00:53:45.864 just think about that for just a minute, , this is actually what happens. 583 00:53:46.495 --> 00:53:47.385 Acts chapter nine, 584 00:53:47.745 --> 00:53:51.185 verses 26 through 27 says that when Saul had come to Jerusalem, 585 00:53:51.485 --> 00:53:56.445 he attempted to join. The disciples just walked right in. What's up fellas? 586 00:53:57.165 --> 00:54:00.285 , how y'all doing this church thing? Man, this is kind of nice, man. 587 00:54:00.286 --> 00:54:01.285 This is, I like this. 588 00:54:02.665 --> 00:54:07.375 But they were all afraid of them for they did not believe 589 00:54:07.405 --> 00:54:11.905 that he was a disciple. But Barnabas 590 00:54:13.535 --> 00:54:18.385 took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road 591 00:54:18.485 --> 00:54:22.825 he had seen the Lord who had spoke to him and how at Damascus he had preached 592 00:54:23.045 --> 00:54:26.185 boldly in the name of Jesus. And I just wonder, man, 593 00:54:26.186 --> 00:54:28.185 where would Paul have been without a Barnabas? 594 00:54:30.655 --> 00:54:33.364 Where would we be without a Barnabas? 595 00:54:35.075 --> 00:54:37.485 Someone said, Hey, listen man, I know this dude messed up. 596 00:54:38.085 --> 00:54:42.165 I know he is got a sketchy past, but he's had a genuine encounter with the Lord, 597 00:54:42.185 --> 00:54:44.325 and I choose to believe the best in him. 598 00:54:46.614 --> 00:54:49.355 I'm willing to bet that at some point in your life you've had someone like that. 599 00:54:50.395 --> 00:54:54.895 And so we need to be that to someone else. The final thing is this. 600 00:54:55.815 --> 00:54:59.815 I think we have to remember that all of this has eternal ramifications. 601 00:55:01.755 --> 00:55:04.745 Maybe this entire time you've been thinking about someone who you don't like, 602 00:55:05.935 --> 00:55:07.385 someone you don't agree with, 603 00:55:09.055 --> 00:55:13.585 someone who's done you wrong and dirty in the past, and you're like, man, 604 00:55:13.705 --> 00:55:16.945 I just don't know because all I can see is their sin. 605 00:55:17.965 --> 00:55:22.075 All I can see is their mistakes. Maybe they haven't even done any of that, but, 606 00:55:22.355 --> 00:55:26.235 but maybe it's a situation kinda like Peter had. He's like, yeah, 607 00:55:26.236 --> 00:55:27.275 but they're a part of this group, 608 00:55:27.975 --> 00:55:31.315 or they look that way and I have a really hard time. 609 00:55:32.685 --> 00:55:35.935 Like I need Jesus to do something in my heart or else it's not gonna happen. 610 00:55:38.155 --> 00:55:42.935 We have to remember that every single person you have ever laid eyes 611 00:55:42.995 --> 00:55:47.844 on was made in the image of God and they have 612 00:55:47.885 --> 00:55:48.718 a soul. 613 00:55:49.864 --> 00:55:54.844 And that soul is either gonna spend eternity with the Father in heaven 614 00:55:56.285 --> 00:55:58.864 or completely separated from him in a place called hell. 615 00:56:01.525 --> 00:56:04.864 And when we view people the way that God views the man, 616 00:56:04.865 --> 00:56:08.745 there are implications of the gospel that go beyond our personal feelings. 617 00:56:09.665 --> 00:56:14.225 I had a, I had a aunt, she passed away a few years ago and she was miserable. 618 00:56:14.226 --> 00:56:17.344 Like if I'm dishonest, I, I can say that she was my aunt. She's with Jesus. 619 00:56:17.364 --> 00:56:19.545 Now I know that for a fact. It's fine. You can laugh, it's okay. 620 00:56:20.685 --> 00:56:23.445 But I remember as a kid, I didn't think of her that way. I just, I just thought, 621 00:56:23.465 --> 00:56:25.325 man, that's just miserable, aunt Linda, 622 00:56:25.435 --> 00:56:27.805 because every time someone in our family got in a fight, 623 00:56:27.806 --> 00:56:29.925 it was Linda versus fill in the blank , 624 00:56:30.225 --> 00:56:33.165 she was always in the middle of the drama. And I remember I had this thought, 625 00:56:33.245 --> 00:56:34.445 I was like five or six years old. 626 00:56:34.685 --> 00:56:37.565 I pray to God today that I didn't say this out loud, but there's a possibility. 627 00:56:37.895 --> 00:56:39.485 Don't judge me safe space. 628 00:56:42.065 --> 00:56:44.364 But I remember thinking, man, 629 00:56:46.364 --> 00:56:49.525 I hope she doesn't make it to heaven because eternity's a long time and I don't 630 00:56:49.526 --> 00:56:50.805 wanna be miserable there too . 631 00:56:53.985 --> 00:56:57.165 Now that's cute and we can laugh about it as a five or a 6-year-old having this 632 00:56:57.166 --> 00:56:59.325 thought. But here's the reality, man. In hindsight, 633 00:56:59.525 --> 00:57:04.364 I realize I did not have a firm grip or understanding 634 00:57:04.465 --> 00:57:05.298 of the gospel. 635 00:57:07.245 --> 00:57:11.045 I didn't understand that this is a person made in the image of God and despite 636 00:57:11.046 --> 00:57:14.325 what they've done to me, despite their past, despite how they make me feel, 637 00:57:14.895 --> 00:57:18.045 there is a place in the kingdom for them. 638 00:57:20.545 --> 00:57:25.445 And it's our responsibility to move when God says move and 639 00:57:25.446 --> 00:57:29.525 to go when God says, go even to the people that we don't like. 640 00:57:33.455 --> 00:57:36.725 Let's look at Saul really quick as we get ready to wrap up. And I, 641 00:57:36.805 --> 00:57:38.725 I just wanna play this story out for a second. 642 00:57:41.555 --> 00:57:45.245 Saul has arrested and had multiple Christians killed, 643 00:57:48.775 --> 00:57:51.475 and then he becomes a believer. 644 00:57:54.695 --> 00:57:58.235 And then one day from a prison, 645 00:58:00.535 --> 00:58:03.755 Paul's life fades out. He's killed. 646 00:58:04.745 --> 00:58:06.555 He's a martyr just like Steven was. 647 00:58:07.815 --> 00:58:10.915 And then one day Peter walks through the gates of heaven, 648 00:58:14.325 --> 00:58:17.945 You know who's waiting there for him? You know, 649 00:58:17.946 --> 00:58:21.145 who's celebrating the fact that Saul made it 650 00:58:22.965 --> 00:58:24.385 all the people that he sent there. 651 00:58:27.485 --> 00:58:30.455 That is the beauty of the gospel. 652 00:58:32.705 --> 00:58:33.935 There is no justice. 653 00:58:35.025 --> 00:58:39.895 There is no scenario under the sun that is more beautiful than 654 00:58:39.896 --> 00:58:42.975 the truth that we serve a God who redeems the unredeemable. 655 00:58:44.845 --> 00:58:48.735 That is the beauty of the gospel. So as we close out our time here together, 656 00:58:49.015 --> 00:58:52.575 I just want to ask you two questions. One, who is the person in your life 657 00:58:54.615 --> 00:58:56.415 that maybe even in your mind or your heart, 658 00:58:56.795 --> 00:58:59.375 you've built a barrier between them and God? 659 00:59:01.675 --> 00:59:02.975 Who are the people that you say, man, 660 00:59:03.015 --> 00:59:05.375 I don't even wanna pray for them because I'm so bitter towards them. 661 00:59:07.635 --> 00:59:08.215 And then two, 662 00:59:08.215 --> 00:59:13.015 I want you to ask yourself the same question that Peter asked his circumcision 663 00:59:13.016 --> 00:59:13.849 party, 664 00:59:15.735 --> 00:59:20.535 who am I to stand in God's way? Here's the truth, church 665 00:59:23.095 --> 00:59:24.325 God's gonna send us on the move 666 00:59:25.865 --> 00:59:30.645 and we can either move towards those who he's calling into his kingdom 667 00:59:31.105 --> 00:59:35.005 or we can move out of the way. And my prayer is, 668 00:59:35.365 --> 00:59:40.045 is that Hope Community Church would be the type of place where we move in 669 00:59:40.046 --> 00:59:44.965 towards the brokenness in order to invite people into the kingdom of 670 00:59:44.966 --> 00:59:47.445 heaven. Let me pray for us. Father, thank you so much for your goodness. 671 00:59:48.575 --> 00:59:53.125 Thank you that you saved us even though we didn't deserve it. God, 672 00:59:53.126 --> 00:59:56.805 thank you for your grace that's been poured out on us. God, 673 00:59:56.845 --> 01:00:00.045 I know there are some of us in here who think, man, I wasn't that bad though. 674 01:00:00.445 --> 01:00:04.685 , I'm not as bad as so and so is. That's right. 675 01:00:04.745 --> 01:00:05.685 We were all dead 676 01:00:07.585 --> 01:00:12.245 and out of your grace you saw fit to cross the bridge 677 01:00:12.385 --> 01:00:17.085 and come and grab us. So Father, 678 01:00:17.225 --> 01:00:20.445 let us be an extension of the hands and feet of Jesus. 679 01:00:22.305 --> 01:00:25.565 Let us cross over any bridges that you call us to cross over 680 01:00:27.825 --> 01:00:31.765 so that we can point those who feel like they're too far gone into the truth 681 01:00:31.766 --> 01:00:34.885 that is greater than any other truth the world has ever known. Father, 682 01:00:34.985 --> 01:00:38.685 we love you. We're so thankful for your grace. Help us to be on the move. 683 01:00:38.955 --> 01:00:42.005 Show us what that looks like. Holy Spirit, speak to us loud and clear. 684 01:00:42.185 --> 01:00:44.685 And it is in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.