Salvation for all people
Series: For all People
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 5th October 2021
Passage: Acts 27:1-44
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 Are you a good listener?
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 Is there a difference between hear and listen?
00:00:06 --> 00:00:10 How do you feel when someone says to you,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 I hear you, compared to I'm listening?
00:00:14 --> 00:00:18 What fallacy would I be committing if I say I'm hearing you?
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 Maybe you can share your thoughts on our live chat
00:00:23 --> 00:00:27 if you are watching right now on your device or on the computer.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:35 We have been studying the book of Acts over the last 12 weeks,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 almost as long as our current lockdown.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 Seeing God working through Paul to bring the gospel from Jerusalem
00:00:44 --> 00:00:50 to the end of the world was challenging and encouraging at the same time.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 Even in the toughest of situations,
00:00:53 --> 00:00:59 nothing stops God from advancing the good news of Jesus' resurrection
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 to bring salvation to all people.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 Today, we have reached Rome,
00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 which also concludes our study of the book of Acts.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:14 Luke tells us that Paul made the following conclusion
00:01:14 --> 00:01:18 in chapter 28, verse 28 to 30,
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 to a big group of people that have come to his place to meet with him.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:28 Therefore, I want you to know that God's salvation
00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 has been sent to the Gentiles,
00:01:31 --> 00:01:32 and they will listen.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:35 For two whole years,
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 Paul stayed there in his own rented house
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 and welcome all who came to see him.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:47 God's salvation has been sent to those who will listen.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 And today, I hope to be your hearing test
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 to get you ready for God's salvation.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:58 For God's salvation is for all people.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:00 And from our passage today,
00:02:01 --> 00:02:05 we can see God's salvation in the following three ways.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 Against all hope,
00:02:09 --> 00:02:10 unusual kindness,
00:02:11 --> 00:02:12 and welcome all.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 Chapter 27 of Acts
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 gives us a vivid picture
00:02:18 --> 00:02:22 of the difficulties Paul and his companions
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 and Jews before they arrived in Rome.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 As I read through it,
00:02:28 --> 00:02:29 I cannot but feel like
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 it's talking about our current situation
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 with the COVID pandemic.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 the danger and uncertainty,
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 the constant great difficulties
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 of hoping to move forward
00:02:42 --> 00:02:47 and being driven along against our own will.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 But one thing very different
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 is in verse 9 to 11.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:56 Much had been lost,
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 and selling had already become dangerous
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 because by now,
00:03:02 --> 00:03:03 it was after the Day of Atonement.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:06 So Paul warned them,
00:03:07 --> 00:03:07 man,
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 I can see that our forage
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 is going to be disastrous
00:03:11 --> 00:03:14 and bring great loss to ship and cargo
00:03:14 --> 00:03:17 and to our own life also.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:19 But the centurion,
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 instead of listening to what Paul said,
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 followed the advice of the pilot
00:03:24 --> 00:03:25 and the owners of the ship.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:30 Paul warned them about the danger ahead.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:32 But instead of listening to him,
00:03:33 --> 00:03:34 they followed their advice
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 that was more soothing to their ears,
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 more inclined to what they want to do
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 to get to Rome quickly.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 Before the second half of 2019,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 we had no warning
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 of what is going about to hit the world.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 But they were warned
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 and had a chance to avoid
00:03:55 --> 00:03:56 the storm and the shipwreck.
00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 However,
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 instead of listening to Paul's warning
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 against setting sail,
00:04:04 --> 00:04:05 the pilots and owners' advice
00:04:05 --> 00:04:06 were followed
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 because they thought
00:04:08 --> 00:04:12 they could accomplish their purpose.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:15 We can't blame the people
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 for not following Paul's advice
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 for they did not know
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 who Paul belonged to
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 and who he was serving.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 And after all,
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 Paul was only a prisoner
00:04:28 --> 00:04:29 and a preacher.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 What would he know about sailing?
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 The decision not to listen to Paul
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 has put everyone in danger,
00:04:38 --> 00:04:39 including Paul himself.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:44 And they took a violent battering
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 for many days
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 and trying to save their life
00:04:48 --> 00:04:49 and their self
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 even through falling overboard
00:04:52 --> 00:04:53 their livelihood.
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 And in verse 20,
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 we are told that
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 when neither sun nor stars
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 appear for many days
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 and the storm continued raging,
00:05:05 --> 00:05:09 we finally gave up
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 all hope of being saved.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:14 The we here
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 refer to everyone on the ship,
00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 including Paul
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 and the narrator Luke.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 And Luke did not hold back
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 in the following verse
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 from letting us know
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 who Paul really is.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 Then he also would say,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 I told you so.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 And he too
00:05:35 --> 00:05:36 need to be encouraged.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 Verse 23,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:39 it says,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 Last night,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 an angel of God,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 of the God
00:05:43 --> 00:05:43 whom I belong
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 and whom I serve,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 stood beside me
00:05:47 --> 00:05:47 and said,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:49 Do not be afraid,
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 Paul.
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 You must stand trial
00:05:52 --> 00:05:52 before Caesar
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 and God has graciously
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 given you
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 the lives of all
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 who sail with you.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 They did not listen to Paul,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 for they do not know
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 who Paul belonged to
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 and served.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 Paul belongs to
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 and served
00:06:10 --> 00:06:10 the living God
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 of the universe,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 creator of everything
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 in this world.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 God's angel told Paul
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 that God has graciously
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 given him the lives
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 of all who sail with him
00:06:23 --> 00:06:24 and not to be afraid.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 That's why Paul
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 urged the people on the ship
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 to keep up their courage
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 in verse 22 and 25.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 To keep up your courage
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 can also be translated
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 to cheer up.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 Paul urges them
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 to cheer up
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 in the middle
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 of a raging storm
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 where they have not seen
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 the sun
00:06:47 --> 00:06:48 or any stars
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 for many days.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 The only source
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 and guide
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 for them
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 to get home.
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 Paul was able
00:06:55 --> 00:06:56 to cheer up
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 and take courage
00:06:58 --> 00:06:58 in the middle
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 of a raging storm
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 based on the promise
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 that God
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 had graciously
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 given him
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 the lives
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 of all who sail with him
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 and his faith
00:07:10 --> 00:07:10 in God
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 that it will happen
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 just as God
00:07:13 --> 00:07:13 told him.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 Paul's message
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 is one of hope
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 amid despair
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 and we'll be learning
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 more about this
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 over our next series.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 he challenges
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 everyone
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 on the ship
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 including himself
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 to trust God
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 based on
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 the assertion
00:07:36 --> 00:07:36 that
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 God is as good
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 as his word.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 Like what
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 Isaiah said
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 in chapter 55
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 verse 10 to 11.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 the word
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 that goes out
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 from God's mouth
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 will not return
00:07:53 --> 00:07:53 to God
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 empty
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 but will accomplish
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 what God
00:07:57 --> 00:07:57 desires
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 and achieve
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 the purpose
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 for which
00:08:01 --> 00:08:01 he sends it.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 God is determined
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 to save
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 and has sent
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 out salvation
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 to all people.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 So Paul
00:08:11 --> 00:08:11 encouraged
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 everyone
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 on the ship
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 to trust
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 in his God
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 for deliverance.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 He demonstrated
00:08:19 --> 00:08:19 his trust
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 in God
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 by preparing
00:08:21 --> 00:08:21 food
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 for all
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 the people
00:08:23 --> 00:08:23 on board.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 276 people
00:08:27 --> 00:08:27 were there.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 He took
00:08:29 --> 00:08:29 some bread
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 gave friends
00:08:31 --> 00:08:31 to God
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 in front of them
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 and passed
00:08:34 --> 00:08:34 it on to them.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 Paul
00:08:37 --> 00:08:37 inspired
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 everyone
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 on board
00:08:40 --> 00:08:40 to act
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 decisively
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 and courageously
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 for the benefit
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 of all people.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 He stopped
00:08:47 --> 00:08:47 any group
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 from taking action
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 to seek
00:08:50 --> 00:08:50 the safety
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 of their own
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 while abandoning
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 others.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 Verse 36
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 tells us
00:08:57 --> 00:08:57 that
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 they all
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 become cheerful
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 and eat
00:09:00 --> 00:09:00 some food
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 themselves.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 This action
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 shows
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 now
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 they listen
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 to Paul
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 and begin
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 to believe
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 too
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 in the promise
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 of God's
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 word.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:14 Here
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 in this chapter
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 we see a picture
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 of human
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 being
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 in a desperate
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 situation
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 in need
00:09:22 --> 00:09:22 of God's
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 help
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 and also
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 shows
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 the importance
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 of believing
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 God's word
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 and rely
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 on his
00:09:30 --> 00:09:30 power
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 for deliverance.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 It also
00:09:34 --> 00:09:34 demonstrates
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 the believer's
00:09:36 --> 00:09:36 opportunity
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 in such
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 a situation
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 to draw
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 attention
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 to God's
00:09:42 --> 00:09:42 character
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 and encourage
00:09:44 --> 00:09:44 others
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 to turn
00:09:46 --> 00:09:46 to him
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 for mercy.
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 If you
00:09:49 --> 00:09:49 are not yet
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 trusted in
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 God
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 I'm glad
00:09:52 --> 00:09:52 that you
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 are still
00:09:53 --> 00:09:53 watching
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 right now.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 Have you
00:09:56 --> 00:09:56 considered
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 your life
00:09:57 --> 00:09:57 situation?
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 Why not
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 turn towards
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 God
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 for mercy
00:10:02 --> 00:10:02 and ask
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 him to
00:10:03 --> 00:10:03 save you?
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 Sometimes
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 we have
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 to be
00:10:07 --> 00:10:07 at a
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 deep end
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 to realize
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 God's
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 merciful hand
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 merciful helping
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 hand was
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 always there.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:17 Against
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 all hope
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 we can
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 trust in
00:10:20 --> 00:10:20 God
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 for salvation
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 because
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 he is as
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 good as
00:10:24 --> 00:10:24 his word.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:26 God's
00:10:26 --> 00:10:26 word
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 never
00:10:27 --> 00:10:27 returns
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 empty
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 and his
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 salvation
00:10:30 --> 00:10:30 is also
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 shown
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 in unusual
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 kindness.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 kindness.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 The idea
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 of kindness
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 is very
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 prominent
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 in these
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 two final
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 chapters of
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 Acts.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:41 And the
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 primary form
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 of expressing
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 kindness
00:10:44 --> 00:10:44 in these
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 two chapters
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 was hospitality.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 We have
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 the centurion
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 showing kindness
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 to Paul
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 allowing Luke
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 and
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 Astakus
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 to accompany
00:10:56 --> 00:10:56 him.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 and after
00:10:58 --> 00:10:58 they
00:10:58 --> 00:10:58 land
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 at
00:10:59 --> 00:10:59 Sidon
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 he
00:11:01 --> 00:11:01 allowed
00:11:01 --> 00:11:01 him
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 to go
00:11:02 --> 00:11:02 to his
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 friends
00:11:03 --> 00:11:03 to provide
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 for his
00:11:04 --> 00:11:04 needs.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:05 And later
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 in the
00:11:06 --> 00:11:06 chapter
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 ordering
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 Ephraim
00:11:08 --> 00:11:08 from the
00:11:08 --> 00:11:08 ship
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 to swim
00:11:09 --> 00:11:09 to the
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 shore
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 to protect
00:11:11 --> 00:11:11 and spare
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 Paul's
00:11:12 --> 00:11:12 life.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:14 And while
00:11:14 --> 00:11:14 they were
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 on the
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 island of
00:11:16 --> 00:11:16 Mota
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 in
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 chapter
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 28
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 the
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 islanders
00:11:21 --> 00:11:21 showed
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 them
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 unusual
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 kindness.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:23 They
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 built a
00:11:24 --> 00:11:24 fire
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 and welcomed
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 them all
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 because it
00:11:27 --> 00:11:27 was raining
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 and cold.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 And the
00:11:30 --> 00:11:30 chief official
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 of the
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 island
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 welcomed
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 them to
00:11:34 --> 00:11:34 his home
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 and showed
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 them generous
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 hospitality
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 for three
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 days.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:40 And when
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 they reached
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 Petone
00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 in
00:11:45 --> 00:11:45 first fall
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 they found
00:11:47 --> 00:11:47 some brothers
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 and sisters
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 who invite
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 them to
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 spend a
00:11:50 --> 00:11:50 week with
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 them.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:52 They were
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 treated with
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 unusual kindness
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 and hospitality
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 and brothers
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 and sisters
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 traveled 50
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 to 70
00:11:59 --> 00:11:59 kilometers
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 to see
00:12:00 --> 00:12:00 them.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:01 In
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 verse 15
00:12:02 --> 00:12:02 and 16
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 it said
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 at the
00:12:04 --> 00:12:04 sight of
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 these people
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 Paul thanked
00:12:06 --> 00:12:06 God
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 and was
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 encouraged.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:09 When we
00:12:09 --> 00:12:09 get to
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 Rome
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 Paul was
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 allowed to
00:12:11 --> 00:12:11 live by
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 himself
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 with the
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 soldier to
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 guide him.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:16 In the
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 original
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 language
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 Luke called
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 the islanders
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 barbarian
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 and
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 considered
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 their
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 action
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 unusual
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 and
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 out of
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 its
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 expectation.
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 From a
00:12:28 --> 00:12:28 Greek
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 Roman
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 perspective
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 since
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 Greek
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 was not
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 their first
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 language
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 they were
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 considered
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 uncultured
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 even though
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 Malta
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 had been
00:12:40 --> 00:12:40 a Roman
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 island
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 since
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 218
00:12:43 --> 00:12:43 years
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 before
00:12:44 --> 00:12:44 Christ.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:46 I believe
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 Luke
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 expected
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 to be
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 treated
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 with
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 hostility
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 instead
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 they
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 showed
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 them
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 unusual
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 kindness
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 with
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 hospitality.
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 When
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 someone
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 treats
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 a stranger
00:13:00 --> 00:13:00 with
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 kindness
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 it's
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 considered
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 unusual
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 and
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 if
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 someone
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 treats
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 their
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 enemy
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 with
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 kindness
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 it's
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 inconceivably
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 strange
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 but it's
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 not without
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 example.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 the
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 islanders
00:13:17 --> 00:13:17 seem to
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 believe
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 in many
00:13:19 --> 00:13:19 gods
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 for they
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 refer to
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 a goddess
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 justice
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 when a
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 snake
00:13:24 --> 00:13:24 fastened
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 himself
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 on
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 Paul's
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 hand.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 They
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 also
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 seem to
00:13:29 --> 00:13:29 believe
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 our
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 action
00:13:31 --> 00:13:31 influenced
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 God.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 Treat
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 other
00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 people
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 with
00:13:35 --> 00:13:35 kindness
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 and
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 you'll
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 get
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 good
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 fortune
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 and
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 if
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 you're
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 unkind
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 or cruel
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 you'll
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 get
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 punishment.
00:13:43 --> 00:13:43 In
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 verse 4
00:13:44 --> 00:13:44 of chapter
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 28
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 when the
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 islanders
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 saw the
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 snake
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 hanging
00:13:48 --> 00:13:48 from his
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 hand
00:13:49 --> 00:13:49 they
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 say to
00:13:50 --> 00:13:50 each
00:13:50 --> 00:13:50 other
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 this
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 man
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 must
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 be a
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 murderer
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 for
00:13:53 --> 00:13:53 though
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 he
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 escaped
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 from
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 the
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 sea
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 the
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 godless
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 justice
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 has not
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 allowed
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 him to
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 leave.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:02 they
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 were
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 waiting
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 for
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 something
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 unusual
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 to
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 happen
00:14:04 --> 00:14:04 to
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 Paul
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 after
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 he
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 shook
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 off
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 the
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 snake
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 into
00:14:08 --> 00:14:08 the
00:14:08 --> 00:14:08 fire
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 maybe
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 he
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 would
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 suddenly
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 drop
00:14:11 --> 00:14:11 dead
00:14:11 --> 00:14:11 and
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 die
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 but
00:14:13 --> 00:14:13 nothing
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 happened
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 to
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 him
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 and
00:14:15 --> 00:14:15 they
00:14:15 --> 00:14:15 changed
00:14:15 --> 00:14:15 their
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 mind
00:14:16 --> 00:14:16 about
00:14:16 --> 00:14:16 him.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 I
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 don't
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 know
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 about
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 you
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 but
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 this
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 is
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 how
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 I
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 sometimes
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 think
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 about
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 how
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 to
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 hold
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 my
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 life
00:14:25 --> 00:14:25 too.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:27 I
00:14:27 --> 00:14:27 think
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 I
00:14:28 --> 00:14:28 can
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 earn
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 God's
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 favor
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 by
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 what
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 I
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 do
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 and
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 worry
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 that
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 I
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 have
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 done
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 something
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 wrong
00:14:35 --> 00:14:35 to
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 upset
00:14:36 --> 00:14:36 God
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 when
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 life
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 is
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 not
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 as
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 smooth
00:14:39 --> 00:14:39 as
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 I
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 intended
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 but
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 instead
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 of
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 being
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 hostile
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 towards
00:14:45 --> 00:14:45 us
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 God
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 has
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 treated
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 us
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 with
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 hospitality
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 and
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 unusual
00:14:51 --> 00:14:51 kindness
00:14:51 --> 00:14:53 he
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 is
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 not
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 out
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 to
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 get
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 us
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 instead
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 as
00:14:56 --> 00:14:56 Psalm
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 103
00:14:57 --> 00:14:57 says
00:14:57 --> 00:14:59 Psalm
00:14:59 --> 00:14:59 103
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 verse
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 8
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 the
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 Lord
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 is
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 compassionate
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 and
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 gracious
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 slow
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 to
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 anger
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 abundant
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 in
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 love
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 he
00:15:07 --> 00:15:07 will
00:15:07 --> 00:15:07 not
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 always
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 accuse
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 nor
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 will
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 he
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 harbor
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 his
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 anger
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 forever
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 he
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 will
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 not
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 he
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 does
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 not
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 treat
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 us
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 as
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 our
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 sins
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 deserve
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 or
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 repay
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 us
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 according
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 to
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 our
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 iniquities
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 Paul
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 sent
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 a
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 letter
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 to
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 the
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 believers
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 in
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 Rome
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 a
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 few
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 years
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 before
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 his
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 survival
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 and
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 he
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 explained
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 further
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 what
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 God
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 has
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 done
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 for
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 us
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 and
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 how
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 God
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 has
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 treated
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 us
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 and
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 most
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 importantly
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 how
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 we
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 should
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 relate
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 to
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 God
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 one
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 of
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 the
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 key
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 points
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 is
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 in
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 Romans
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 chapter 5
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 verse 6
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 to 8
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 God
00:15:45 --> 00:15:48 God
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 God
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 God
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 died
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 for
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 the
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 ungodly
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 very
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 rarely
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 will
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 anyone
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 die
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 for
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 a
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 righteous
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 person
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 but
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 for
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 a
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 good
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 person
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 someone
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 might
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 possibly
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 dare
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 to
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 die
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 but
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 God
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 demonstrated
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 his
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 own
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 love
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 for
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 us
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 in
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 this
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 while
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 we
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 were
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 still
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 sinners
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 Christ
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 died
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 for
00:16:08 --> 00:16:08 us
00:16:08 --> 00:16:13 God made this world and everything in it
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 including all human
00:16:14 --> 00:16:18 but we demand our independence
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 instead of honoring God
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 and knowing him for who he is
00:16:22 --> 00:16:25 we imagine we can influence
00:16:25 --> 00:16:28 or even control the divine being
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 and live an ungodly life
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 that suits our likeness
00:16:32 --> 00:16:35 we live life for ourselves
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 instead of God
00:16:36 --> 00:16:39 instead of living cheerfully under God's care
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 we live fearfully under strife
00:16:41 --> 00:16:46 but God treat us with unusual kindness and hospitality
00:16:46 --> 00:16:49 he gave Christ
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 his one and only son to die
00:16:51 --> 00:16:53 to reconcile us to him
00:16:53 --> 00:16:56 and while we were God's enemy
00:16:56 --> 00:16:58 we were reconciled to him
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 through the death of his son
00:17:00 --> 00:17:02 and having been reconciled
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 we will be saved through his resurrection
00:17:04 --> 00:17:07 to resurrect the life
00:17:07 --> 00:17:11 Luke wrote the book
00:17:11 --> 00:17:13 wrote the gospel and acts
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 to demonstrate
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 how God fulfilled his word
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 through Jesus
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 and the Holy Spirit
00:17:18 --> 00:17:21 in bringing salvation to all people
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 to the end of the world
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 and God welcomed all people
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 to his salvation plan
00:17:27 --> 00:17:30 all different backgrounds
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 all different upbringings
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 and all different stages of life
00:17:34 --> 00:17:38 in these two chapters of
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 last two chapters of Acts
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 we see the culmination
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 of that fulfillment
00:17:43 --> 00:17:45 we have Paul
00:17:45 --> 00:17:48 saved from a religious cellist
00:17:48 --> 00:17:50 to be a faithful follower of Christ
00:17:50 --> 00:17:53 we got Luke the doctor
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 acting as a narrator
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 as Tacos
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 a Macedonian
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 from Thessalonica
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 the Romans
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 the Anturian
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 with all the soldiers
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 sailors
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 and prisoners
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 all together
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 276 people
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 from the ship
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 saved from the raging sea
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 and saved the rich land
00:18:12 --> 00:18:15 Paul reached many places
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 along the coast
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 of the province of Asia
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 God's mercy
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 reached the island of Malta
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 where many islanders
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 were cured
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 of their deceits
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 and finally to Rome
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 and surrounding Rome
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 believers were coming from areas
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 as far as
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 50 to 70 kilometers away
00:18:35 --> 00:18:38 and in chapter 28
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 verse 17 to 23
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 many Jews
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 have the kingdom of God
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 explained to them
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 and allowed to be persuaded
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 about Jesus
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 in verse 24 it says
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 some were convinced
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 by what he said
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 but others would not believe
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 but Paul did not stop there
00:18:57 --> 00:19:00 he said in verse 28 to 31
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 therefore I want you to know
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 that God's salvation
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 have been sent
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 to the Gentiles
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 and they will listen
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 for two whole years
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 Paul stayed
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 there in his own rental house
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 and welcomed all
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 who come to see him
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 he proclaimed the kingdom of God
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ
00:19:20 --> 00:19:22 with all boldness
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 and without hindrance
00:19:24 --> 00:19:27 the salvation of God
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 has been sent out
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 to all people
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 and they will listen
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 and all are welcomed
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 we have seen
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 the salvation
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 went to all people
00:19:37 --> 00:19:40 and those that believe
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 are all welcomed
00:19:41 --> 00:19:43 but I found a statement
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 in between
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 that people will listen
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 very challenging
00:19:46 --> 00:19:49 will they listen
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 in today's world
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 maybe the new immigrant
00:19:52 --> 00:19:54 whose English
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 is their second language
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 will
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 they will be
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 more accepting
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 to our help
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 and the social activities
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 we offer
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 for them to find friends
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 but not Uncle George
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 or Aunt May
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 who is well-to-do
00:20:09 --> 00:20:11 and busy pursuing
00:20:11 --> 00:20:11 their career
00:20:11 --> 00:20:14 you might say
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 if you think
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 people will listen
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 you should try
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 my friends
00:20:18 --> 00:20:20 they went to
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 a private school
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 and doing great
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 in uni
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 and they already
00:20:24 --> 00:20:26 have life figured out
00:20:26 --> 00:20:28 they wouldn't care
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 less about
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 believing in God
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 they care more
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 about who they can
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 impress
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 or go out with
00:20:33 --> 00:20:36 let me encourage you
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 to do what
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 Leland and Christian
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 do during this lockdown
00:20:40 --> 00:20:42 we have been saying
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 our praise
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 and pray upon
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 in our community group
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 and Leland and Christian
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 have been sharing
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 with us
00:20:49 --> 00:20:51 how they have
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 together with
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 another brother
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 persevered
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 during the lockdown
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 to regularly
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 meet up
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 with other friends
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 from uni
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 to answer
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 their questions
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 about Christianity
00:21:01 --> 00:21:03 and introduce them
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 to God
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 over Zoom
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 in a season
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 where
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 most of us
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 are Zoomed out
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 they persevere
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 to listening
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 and encouraging
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 their friends
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 to turn to God
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 and to
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 the one
00:21:17 --> 00:21:19 that can save them
00:21:19 --> 00:21:22 you might say
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 you might say
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 if you think
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 people will listen
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 you should meet
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 my very opinionated
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 brother or neighbor
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 who think
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 they have the solution
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 to save the world
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 or also
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 my environmentalist
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 and feminist friends
00:21:36 --> 00:21:39 if you think
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 all these people
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 will not listen
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 are you a good
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 listener yourself
00:21:45 --> 00:21:47 how well
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 are you listening
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 to the reason
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 they become
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 who they are
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 today
00:21:52 --> 00:21:54 are you ready
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 when you are
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 presented with
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 an opportunity
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 to proclaim
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 the kingdom of God
00:21:59 --> 00:22:03 if we believe
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 our family
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 and relatives
00:22:04 --> 00:22:06 are the most
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 challenging group
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 to persuade
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 about Jesus
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 and the kingdom
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 of God
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 our boss
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 and colleagues
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 will be a
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 cold second
00:22:16 --> 00:22:18 because we spend
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 most of our
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 daily life
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 with them
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 and they know
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 the perfect need
00:22:22 --> 00:22:24 my wife Vivian
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 managed a small
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 law firm
00:22:26 --> 00:22:28 and the other day
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 her boss told her
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 one of their
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 kind sister
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 has suddenly
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 fallen ill
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 and they have
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 to prepare
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 documents
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 for their
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 client
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 to take
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 care
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 of her
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 sister
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 her boss
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 commented
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 that life
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 is fragile
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 and full
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 of uncertainty
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 and as she
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 listened
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 she replied
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 that is why
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 we need
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 to know
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 Jesus
00:22:52 --> 00:22:55 God's salvation
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 has been
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 sent out
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 to all people
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 and they
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 will listen
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 so keep up
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 your courage
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 brothers and
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 sisters
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 have faith
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 in God
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 that it
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 will happen
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 just as
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 God told
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 us
00:23:08 --> 00:23:10 let nothing
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 hinder you
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 and keep
00:23:13 --> 00:23:13 proclaiming the
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 kingdom of
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 God
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 and teach
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 others
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 about the
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 Lord Jesus
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 Christ
00:23:18 --> 00:23:20 with all
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 boldness
00:23:20 --> 00:23:23 if you are
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 not yet a
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 believer
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 and have
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 stayed
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 watching
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 until now
00:23:26 --> 00:23:28 I'm
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 confident
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 that you
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 have a
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 very healthy
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 hearing
00:23:30 --> 00:23:32 and are
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 ready for
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 God's
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 salvation
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 keep
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 joining us
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 online
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 and come
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 to see us
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 in a few
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 weeks when
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 we can
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 gather in
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 person
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 or give
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 us your
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 details by
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 clicking the
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 connect with us
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 link or write
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 your comment
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 in our live
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 check to let
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 us know how
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 we can welcome
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 you into the
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 embrace of
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 God's family
00:23:55 --> 00:23:57 as St.
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 Paul
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 we exist
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 to treasure
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 Jesus
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 together
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 for God's
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 glory
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 and the
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 joy of
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 all people
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 we seek
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 to unite
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 our diversity
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 in the good
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 news of
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 Jesus Christ
00:24:11 --> 00:24:13 and joyfully
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 become like
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 him together
00:24:14 --> 00:24:17 unlike the
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 word here
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 which is
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 stative
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 and without
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 action
00:24:21 --> 00:24:24 listening
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 treasuring
00:24:25 --> 00:24:27 seeking
00:24:27 --> 00:24:29 ongoing
00:24:29 --> 00:24:29 action
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 that can
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 take place
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 in the
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 past
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 in the
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 present
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 and in
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 the future
00:24:34 --> 00:24:37 let's
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 join
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 with
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 Christians
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 through the
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 ages
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 to take
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 courage
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 to proclaim
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 the good
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 news of
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 God
00:24:43 --> 00:24:45 as we
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 saw in
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 the book
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 of Acts
00:24:46 --> 00:24:48 against
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 all hope
00:24:49 --> 00:24:51 we can
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 have hope
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 of salvation
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 because
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 God's
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 unusual
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 kindness
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 to all
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 people
00:24:56 --> 00:24:58 and God
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 welcome
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 all
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 to his
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 gospel
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 family
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 come and
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 join us
00:25:03 --> 00:25:05 in sending
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 salvation
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 to all
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 people