"A Simple Presentation into The Book of ACTS" - Chapter 14, Part 2 - Bro. John "Ernie" Perez bölümünün tam dökümü

creating the sheets this morning. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:36.000 There's some deep things in here, you know. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:57.519 I'm sorry to say that, but there is there is I want the girls to pay a special attention to today because you're gonna go into some things that I think that we've been trying to hit on on Wednesday nights about speaking the authority, taking the name of Jesus, and using the power of the name of Jesus is one of our greatest weapons that we have. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:04.720 So, all right, so here we go for a simple presentation, the book of Acts, chapter 14, part two. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:13.519 All right, so we'll be reading this morning, verses 14 through 27. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:28.720 And if you've been following along, so you you know where we're at, the priest of Jupiter, which was about to bring oxen and garlands unto the gates and would have done sacrifice and worshiped. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:39.839 Okay, the people in the city of Lystra and the county or the territory of Laconia were wonderfully touched by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:50.720 They saw a man, they knew for sure and certain was crippled from birth, healed via the exercising of this ministry. 00:05:51.600 --> 00:06:07.839 And suddenly they were totally, fully, completely, entirely, certifiably and overwhelmingly stunned at the power of the gospel on display. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:15.439 So much so that years of pagan reflex snapped into action. 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:20.240 They saw the man healed, they knew he was crippled from his mother's womb. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:27.279 They got so excited they cried out and yelled, The gods have come down among us. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:37.680 And the pagan priest immediately went into action to organize animal sacrificial worship of the apostles. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:44.720 And that's where we get to verse 14, and we'll read now to the end of the chapter, and then we'll back up. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:58.079 Which, when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of, they rent their clothes and ran in among the people, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:20.639 We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth and the sea and all things that are therein, who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:33.439 Nevertheless, he left not himself without a witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:41.439 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:55.519 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been

dead. 00:07:55.839 --> 00:08:06.319 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and came into the city, and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derby. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:33.440 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:44.080 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:48.240 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:09:04.399 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Atalia, and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:17.279 And when they were come and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:23.200 And there they abode long time with the disciples. 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:31.360 Okay, so as is our habit now, we will go back and read a couple of scriptures and give you our little running commentary. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:40.240 But I want you to notice uh before we move forward, how he refers to they traveled, they did this, they went. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:49.679 When we get, I believe it's to chapter 16, the narrative is going to change to we. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:51.519 We. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:10:15.200 So much of what we read, I guess everything we read from Acts 1 until then, is effective research by Luke, the physician, the evangelist, the journalist, the church historian that he put in order, and his documentation just seems to be so good, doesn't it? 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.639 It's a story we can follow. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:22.879 We can see how things progress. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:28.080 All right, so I'm gonna read verses 14 and 15 now. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:43.440 Which when the apostles Paul, I'm sorry, Barnabas and Paul heard of, they rent their clothes and ran in among the people, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:59.440 We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth and the sea and all things that are therein. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:06.639 So the apostles, now I've said this before, Paul and Barnabas are now both apostles. 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:14.000 We have no indication that they saw the Lord before his resurrection. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:16.639 We know Paul saw him afterwards. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:28.159 We have no indication that Barnabas was one of the early disciples, other than his appearance in the book of Acts as Joseph, who becomes Barnabas. 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:38.320 So remember, the call to apostleship is not dead, but there'll never be a replacement for the original twelve. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:45.360 They were the unique foundation that Jesus established and called them out for that purpose. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:52.080 Now, the apostles, that is, Paul and Barnabas, simply were not having it, not having any worship. 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:54.480 They rent their clothes. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:12:05.200 This sign of renting your clothes was culturally a sign of great emotional, intellectual, and spiritual distress. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:12.480 You'll read about it among the Jews throughout the Old Testament, and now you're reading again in the New Testament. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:17.840 They rent their clothes when great sorrow happened, when they were totally stressed. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:26.639 And what bothered them so much that they rent their clothes is what the people started to do to worship them because they'd seen this healing. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:36.080 And they gave them the names of Roman God and a Greek God, and they they I hear them at the top of their voice. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:38.480 Sirs, why do ye these things? 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:43.039 We will not accept these acts of worship. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:55.200 Apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, teachers are not celebrities to be idolized. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:13:06.000 We are men, and here these two apostles are saying you can't talk to us like that, you can't treat us like this. 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:14.720 Listen, if we start accepting worship, we're competing with God. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:17.120 We're making ourselves idols. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:22.559 This is something we don't want to be involved in. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:30.480 You remember what happened to the Philistine God, Dagon, when they brought in the Ark of the Covenant into his temple? 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.600 What's that audia? 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:37.200 He fell to the ground, and his hands were broken off, and his head was broken off. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.559 We don't compete with the living God. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:46.639 And it's not wrong to respect the office of the pastor, etc. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:50.080 But we don't worship them. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:54.000 That's doing a pastor a disservice. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:01.600 Because we'll start thinking too highly of ourselves and set ourselves up for the fall. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:06.240 Pride and a haughty spirit precede the fall. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:12.799 Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and he shall lift you up. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:19.679 Exalt yourself and depend on yourself, and you'll find out you're a poor savior. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.919 You make a poor deity. 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:31.919 They just screamed and yelled at these

people, you need to turn away from these vanities and turn to the living God. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:35.600 Verses 16 and 17. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:44.639 Who in times past, speaking of God, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:59.919 Nevertheless, he left not himself without a witness, in that he did good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:10.799 In the past, God allowed all nations to choose their own paths, and they had to deal with the consequences of the decisions that they made. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:18.559 And in all his creation, he has demonstrated his glory and power and might. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:25.440 As a matter of fact, suddenly I want us to turn to Romans chapter 1. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:35.519 This is not in your notes, please forgive me, but while we're going through this, this thing just jumped in my head, and I want to share it with you. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.919 Romans chapter 1. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.080 All right, let me see. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:47.679 Romans 1, beginning with verse 20. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:16:12.799 For the invisible things of Him that is of God, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:20.159 If you can't look at creation and see that it has a creator, you're being foolish. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:22.720 I don't care how educated you are. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.159 21. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:39.120 Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.960 What did we just read? 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:45.919 That in all his creation he demonstrated his glory and power and might. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:58.480 It is obvious there is a designer for all this great universe and the universes that we see. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:03.519 And he created his creation to be creative. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:06.960 He left a testimony of himself in creation. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:09.759 Thus, he commanded us to multiply. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:15.440 He gave us both the ability and the responsibility to procreate. 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:24.880 These things alone are proof that he is the savior and the living God. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:32.480 Can you look at creation and not see the creator? 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:44.960 Years ago, we were in a service with John Rusk, who was the brother of former Secretary of State Dean Rusk, and his PhD was in astronomy. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:56.960 And he said to us, he did not know anyone that had that kind of education in astronomy that was an atheist. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:03.839 He studied the stars and the universe. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:11.519 And he did not know anyone with that degree of education in his field that was an atheist. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:16.160 Because everything testifies of a designer. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:21.599 Now we're going to read verse 18. 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:31.200 And with these sayings, scarce restrained they the people that they had not done sacrifice to them. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:42.559 With these anointed declarations, the apostles were just barely able to halt these paganistic reflexes. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:47.359 They had just witnessed a miracle and then had a pagan reflex. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:01.279 And he got so happy, he said, Oh, just a minute, just a minute. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:04.559 And he went out and then he came back with a Budweiser. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:08.720 And he said, Come on, let's have a beer. 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.759 I'm so happy. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.119 Why did he do that? 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:14.000 Because that's how he's used to celebrating. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:17.680 And he had just encountered the Lord. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:20.240 And it was marvelous and fabulous. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:25.759 These pagans were only doing what they had always done when they were excited. 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:28.160 When good things happened. 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:32.720 And I didn't squash him. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.799 I just said, no, no, I'm good. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.279 Thank you. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.200 You go ahead. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:39.519 Just remember not to get drunk. 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:43.279 Which would be difficult to do with one beer. 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:48.960 But my point is when we begin this walk with God, that's what it is. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:50.240 It's a beginning. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:57.759 And things in the beginning are not going to be the same as they are in 10 years. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.920 How many children did you have, Ann? 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.880 Two. 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.839 Two. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:10.240 And when they were babies, things were different than when they were 14 and 15. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.599 Oh, yes. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.160 When they were babies, they were cute. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:20.400 When they were 14 and 15, you wondered if you needed bail money or God to send a miracle, right? 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.279 Right. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.440 But they, you know what they were doing? 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:27.440 They were just going through the natural progressions and changes of life. 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.240 Yes. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:33.599 We forget what it was like for us to go through that and what torment we put our parents through. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:38.160 But it's only the natural reflexes of life. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.640 And Jesus is well aware. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:51.759 And the apostles were well aware, but they also knew we cannot be a part of idolatrous worship and

we cannot allow them to worship us. 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:55.200 Now, verse 19. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:10.400 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconia, who persuaded the people in having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:14.799 Boy, isn't that what you want to happen at every revival? 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:19.119 At every successful evangelistic campaign. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.920 Stone the evangelist. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:24.880 See if he'll come back and preach for you again. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:44.559 Here, notice how the persecutors from Antioch and Pisidia, and I'm sorry, Antioch, Pasidia, and Iconium arrived in Lystra just in time to instigate more persecutions against the apostles. 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:51.599 They were so successful that Paul was stoned and they thought he was dead. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:22:04.079 I don't know if he was somehow overlooked or if somebody helped him dodge the Bullet, at least he is not mentioned as being stoned. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:12.960 They actually dragged the body of the Apostle Paul out of the city thinking that he was dead. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.720 They left him there. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.759 This was just a beginning for him. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:27.599 This was just a beginning for the Apostle Paul. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:31.200 But the rest of the disciples stood around him. 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:34.880 Most likely, I'm saying, I believe they were praying. 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.720 And he rose up. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:41.680 They thought he was dead, so evidently he was just knocked unconscious. 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:44.559 Then he returned to the city of Lestra. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:51.599 Then sometime the next day, Paul and Barnabas left for another city in Lyconia known as Derby. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.480 I guess they did. 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:54.799 It was time to get out of Dodge. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.519 Yeah. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.400 You know? 00:22:57.279 --> 00:23:00.880 The only reason they stopped is because they thought he was dead. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:10.640 And I don't know if you saw the little article Ann sent around to us some time ago about Paul's thorn in the flesh. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:14.799 It circulated again, and me and Mama was talking about it. 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.160 It was so good. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:25.839 I'm still persuaded that Paul had something wrong with his eyes by the way he talks about how he signed his own name and how large the print is. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:36.079 But the the theory that the lady put forth about the thorn in the flesh was so good. 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:54.079 Her research into Old Testament use of the words thorns, thorns, stabbing in the eyes and pricks in your bodies, and and and Paul is going to go through so much persecution for the gospel. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:01.440 It's going to be just like Ananias told him, just like Jesus told Ananias. 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:05.119 You're going to suffer many things for the name of Jesus. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:13.519 And it's not that the man enjoyed suffering, but he understood the value of ministry. 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:16.160 He was not a masochist. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.000 Yeah. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.200 You're not sure? 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:27.119 Not real sure. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:32.319 I have to think sometimes he had to be when he was really. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:35.839 I mean, I think he had a sense of humor about it. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:40.720 But he was like, okay, God, what's next? 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:47.680 Well, you know, it's like we used to say in school, teasing people in high school, we say, here comes Billy. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.279 He's real shy. 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:54.559 Because all the time that he was in elementary school, his mother rocked him every day. 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.640 And they were big rocks. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:01.359 Billy had to laugh it off, you know? 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.839 Yeah. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:05.519 I'm sure that the apostle Paul dealt with it as best he could. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.319 Yeah. 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:11.359 But it it appears a very good teaching. 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:11.839 Yes. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:16.400 That Paul's thorn in the flesh went far beyond the issue with his eyes. 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:19.119 Or if he was a dwarf. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.960 It went far beyond any of that. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:27.200 It went to the persecutions that God said, Jesus said, this is what's going to happen to you, son. 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:28.960 Yeah. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:31.440 Did I not tell you this was going to happen? 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:40.079 And how can you pay more attention to a small thorn as to what is about going on to happen? 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.279 Come on now. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.920 So then verse 20. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:49.119 How be it, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and came into the city. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:52.799 And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derby, right? 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.319 They had to get out of Dodge. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:57.119 Right away, they preached the gospel in the next city. 00:25:57.359 --> 00:26:05.119 Here they were able also to be effective witnesses of Jesus Christ to many. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:16.240 Then they began to retrace their journey to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch Posidia, going back through these places. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:22.480 Now I want you to notice here, I chose the term witnesses instead of saying preaching. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.640 I did that. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:40.400 Okay, and the reason I did that is because what stirred in my heart was when Jesus in Acts chapter 1 said, After that the Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall

receive power and you shall be witnesses. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:55.119 We're going to speak in tongues just like a baby is going to cry when it's born. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:20.480 Verse 21 and when they had preached the gospel to that city and taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:24.240 So they are now retracing their steps. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:28.799 So they're turning around. 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:31.279 They're headed home. 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:35.119 But on the way, what are they doing? 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:40.240 Witnessing, preaching, ministering. 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:45.839 Verse 22, let's see, I'm gonna read verse 22 here. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:28:02.480 Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:23.440 So as they are making their journey back to Antioch from which they were commissioned to the work of God that God had called them to, it appears that they travel back through these same cities, that they continued to exhort, or that is, to strengthen the new believers in the faith. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:28.240 This sounds to me like they continued to practice discipleship. 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.599 Boy, here we go again. 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:37.440 I'm gonna turn to 1 Peter, and I would tell you which scripture to get, but I'm having to go look at it and find it. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:40.240 And I didn't know this was gonna happen. 00:28:53.039 --> 00:29:00.079 And I'm looking for the scripture where Peter says to desire the sincere milk of the word. 00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:28.160 It is exhortation, it is strengthening to read the word of God and study it. 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:34.400 If so be, ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:38.720 You want to taste how good the Lord is, you need to get in the Word of God. 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:59.119 So then, after they had their tremendous born-again experience, and there was miracles, and there was successful evangelism, and people turning to the Lord, the apostles turn around and go back, and they get these same people, and they are encouraging them. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:02.480 Listen, why are we here every week? 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.359 And you know what? 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:07.599 We're not just here every week. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:12.960 Okay, I'm not trying to say we're somehow holy, I'm just telling you it is our habit. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:15.119 We're in the scripture every day. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:28.480 One of the first things we do, and even when we weren't retired, we had the scripture on cassettes, we went to work, we'd listen to the Bible, we'd be reading the we used to follow something called bread. 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:36.000 We were in the United Pentecostal Church International and they had a great program called Bread,

Bible Reading Enriches Any Day. 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:40.720 And they gave you a year-long schedule of reading the Bible. 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:47.599 And because we were listening, not only reading, a lot of times we get through it one and a half times or twice a year. 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.559 Why? 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:51.519 How many times are you going to read it? 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:56.960 All I can tell you is that the word of God is good food for the soul. 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:59.039 And it's different every time. 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.880 It's revelatory. 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.759 Yeah. 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.599 It's revelatory. 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:11.440 So as they travel back through these cities, they continue to strengthen the new believers in the faith. 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:19.839 This is accenting the importance that you practice continued practice of discipleship. 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:25.519 It's not a one-time around and we're done situation with Jesus. 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:28.400 It's a lifetime experience. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:31.200 You're entering into a new life. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:35.039 That's why John wrote, you must be born again. 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:37.759 You start a new experience. 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:44.240 Take special notice that the words of encouragement included this particular concept. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:50.079 That we must through much tribulation. 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:52.480 Oh, isn't that exciting? 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:57.039 Through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:57.920 Why is that? 00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:00.880 Because the kingdom of darkness is always resisting us. 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.359 Yes. 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:04.720 Because the kingdom of darkness is always attacking us. 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:10.480 When light confronts darkness, there are visible results. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:15.920 Isn't that similar to how a child grows into being an adult? 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.279 It's a struggle. 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:20.960 It's a struggle to exit the womb. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:25.039 It's a trying situation for the child and the mother. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:32.160 And then the child's got to learn to roll over, crawl, stand, walk. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:34.559 And how many times do they fall? 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:37.519 How many bruises and cuts do they get? 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:39.440 It's a time of tribulation. 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:41.839 Growth is tribulation. 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:46.240 It's a time of trial and error and success and failure. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:55.440 And as you walk with God, so much of what you learn is via trial and error, success and failure. 00:32:55.680 --> 00:33:03.200 And we build our soul so that we can face the journey with the word of God and with prayer. 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.599 Being studious. 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:13.359 Even if you're only spending five or ten minutes a day, you need the word of God every day. 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:18.319 And we can have it on Audible, so there's no reason not to have it. 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:18.880 No. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:28.640 And it if you get certain programs audible, it's the one we had for years. 00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:33.759 We had the new King James Dramatized Bible. 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:43.920 And we'd listen to it, and you had the cows and the chickens and the frogs and you know, and the people and Balaam's donkey, and and they had all that. 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:47.920 But they read the scripture verbatim, and you had all the sound effects. 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:51.599 And what it did, it made you pay attention to the word of God better. 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.480 Yeah. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:57.119 Those CDs are not around anymore. 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.640 Are they? 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.519 Do we still have them? 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:03.039 We just don't have the C D player anymore somewhere. 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.000 We sure do. 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:06.559 But we we used to listen to those things. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:12.880 We had them on cassette tapes also that dramatized new uh King James, the new King James on the cassettes. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:20.559 But if you can listen like that, and you're driving down the road and you're being more than entertained. 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:22.079 You're feeding your soul. 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:29.440 And if we're gonna be entertained, there's nothing wrong with being entertained by the things of God. 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.639 Exactly. 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.159 Amen. 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:35.920 So let's look at verse 23 here. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:37.599 Let me see how far I want to go. 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:38.880 I'm looking at my notes. 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:41.440 So, all right, verse 23. 00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:53.599 And when they had ordained them elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:57.199 Paul and Barnabas ordained elders. 00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:02.719 In this sense, we're calling them pastors in every church that they established. 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:11.360 So then, apostolic leadership is by appointment and not by popular election. 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:15.519 Who appointed Paul and Barnabas? 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.039 Jesus did. 00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:19.119 The voice from heaven. 00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:35.679 Initially, when when Barnabas was was confronted in Antioch and Paul initially in Acts 9, the calling was given. 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:40.079 And the voice in Acts 13 in Antioch, God's voice filled the room. 00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:43.039 And I'm telling you, I know that's real. 00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:49.440 We know that happens because we heard it ourselves. 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:51.840 We heard the voice of God. 00:35:53.039 -->

00:35:55.360 And persuaded we're not alone. 00:35:56.079 --> 00:36:07.360 You need to remember, God doesn't speak to you because you have a reputation and you are well loved and you are famous and you're a celebrity. 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:11.199 God speaks to you because He knows you can hear. 00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:14.239 And He's got something for you to do. 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:17.920 It can be an audible voice, it can be a strong impression. 00:36:18.079 --> 00:36:20.639 The scripture can jump off the page. 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:25.119 You can have a dream, you can have a vision, someone can give a prophecy. 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.559 God ordains. 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:35.119 God's kingdom is not a democracy, it is a theocracy. 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:48.159 And it was made evident to the people that Paul and Barnabas ministered among that, they indeed were called to be apostles. 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:54.559 Now, here they go, they're installing leadership. 00:36:54.880 --> 00:37:03.199 Notice in Acts chapter six, deacons were appointed and ratified by the apostles. 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.960 They weren't voted on. 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:08.400 Read, somebody get me Acts chapter six. 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.400 You got it, Mom? 00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:12.320 Read verses one through six. 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.440 Read it loud. 00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:28.079 And in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:42.559 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples into them, unto them, excuse me, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:44.559 And I'm not, could you read the rest? 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:46.480 Because I'm You're losing your voice, Mama. 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:59.519 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over their business. 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:05.920 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:08.400 Seek you out. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:17.519 In other words, circulate here and find out among you who are who are these men that can be trusted. 00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:18.800 And then what happened? 00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:22.960 The apostles laid hands on them and ratified them and appointed them. 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:26.320 The apostles didn't vote over them. 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:30.400 They put a responsibility on the congregants. 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:34.000 You need to know who among you has this kind of wisdom. 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:37.119 Are you having that kind of fellowship that you know? 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:43.360 Do you all get together daily and break the bread of life? 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:51.440 Surely you know

people among you who have wisdom, who have good report, are full of the Holy Ghost. 00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:52.719 Choose them to do this. 00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:54.159 They were appointed. 00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.840 They were not voted in. 00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:59.199 This is not God's kingdom, it is not a democracy. 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:00.960 It is a theocracy. 00:39:01.199 --> 00:39:11.760 We have to find a way to be submitted to the Spirit of God and be sensitive to his spirit so that we can know we're on the same page. 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:17.119 Then they trusted the Lord to guide the leadership. 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:19.039 Isn't that faith? 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:31.280 There comes a point where Paul had to say to Timothy and Titus, all right, Timothy, it's you in Ephesus. 00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:33.760 Titus, it's you in Crete. 00:39:34.880 --> 00:39:36.880 You got to ordain elders. 00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:40.320 He had to trust them with the responsibility. 00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:44.880 Now notice he still wrote letters of instruction to them. 00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:56.960 We never, ever, no man of God, no woman of God ever gets to the place where they don't need accountability to someone else in the kingdom. 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:12.000 Even though I'm now basically an independent, I have men that I rely on to talk to me about what I teach, about what I preach. 00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:16.239 And am I living for God the way I'm supposed to? 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:18.880 I have a wife to monitor me. 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:22.239 I kid you not, I make myself accountable to her. 00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:23.679 Why wouldn't I? 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:25.280 Who knows me better? 00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:26.880 Exactly. 00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:32.480 So they they trusted the Lord to guide the leadership. 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:35.599 They installed them and they said, now you run with it. 00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:38.079 Proof of this fact is visible. 00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:40.239 They did not abandon the new leadership. 00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:45.440 Proof of this fact is visible when you read the letters to the churches in the New Testament. 00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:49.760 The letters of specific leadership are 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:54.559 And of course, don't forget the prophetic letter to the seven churches of Asia. 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:57.360 We call it the revelation of Saint John. 00:40:57.760 --> 00:41:08.480 In chapter one of this letter, Saint John titles this letter as the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him. 00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:11.119 Now, verse 24 and 25. 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:19.840 After they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attilia. 00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:30.079 So the journey back to Antioch of Assyria continues, and they journeyed through Pasidia, Pamphylia, through the town of Perga, where it is noted that they preached the word. 00:41:30.559 --> 00:41:33.599 And also Attilia in verse 26. 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:44.880 And thence sailed to Antioch from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:58.239 Notice this verse is a statement to me that the spoken instructions of the Lord there at Antioch were completely fulfilled. 00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:11.920 Verse 27, and when they were come and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:22.800 Notice they gave a detailed account, a testimony to the church of Antioch of Assyria, of all that God had done, even of the great work of the Gentiles. 00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:26.079 They ascribe no glory to themselves. 00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:40.719 For me, this demonstrates that the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, were themselves in submission to the authority of God as exercised through his church in Acts 13, 2 through 4. 00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:45.119 They didn't leave even after the voice of God filled the room. 00:42:45.280 --> 00:42:54.400 They didn't leave until the teachers and the prophets there laid hands on them and ordained them to the journey. 00:42:56.079 --> 00:43:04.880 If you cannot submit yourself to God, you're in trouble. 00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:15.679 John 4 and 20. 00:43:15.840 --> 00:43:17.119 Anybody got that? 00:43:19.519 --> 00:43:22.320 Saint John chapter 4, verse 20. 00:43:22.960 --> 00:43:23.280 Okay. 00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:27.840 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. 00:43:28.079 --> 00:43:30.719 No, not Saint John, I'm sorry, 1 John. 00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.000 Okay. 00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:38.960 I didn't put the the one in, I usually type that in there. 00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:41.519 I I goofed up. 00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:43.760 So put 1 John in your notes there. 00:43:44.079 --> 00:43:44.239 Okay. 00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:46.960 4 and 20. 00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:49.280 Right, 1 John 4 and 20. 00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:50.159 Okay. 00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:52.960 Try this again. 00:43:53.440 --> 00:43:59.280 If someone says I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. 00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:07.440 For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 00:44:07.760 --> 00:44:15.679 So the principle of that scripture is if not your brother who you see, certainly not the God whom you cannot see. 00:44:16.079 --> 00:44:32.480 If you cannot be in submission to the ministries that are exercising over your life to give you strength and nourishment, them that you see, how would you ever obey the voice of the invisible God that you cannot see? 00:44:34.639 --> 00:44:49.599 You can't because it's like it says you're a liar because your brother is not necessarily your blood, but everyone is you every male is your brother because we're all children of God.

00:44:49.840 --> 00:44:56.559 So therefore the brothers and the brothers and sisters are the children and they are your family. 00:44:57.119 --> 00:45:03.840 So then the um if you can't love your brother, you can't love God. 00:45:04.079 --> 00:45:10.719 Yeah, you can't you you you're seeing one right before you that is an image of God and you can't love him. 00:45:10.960 --> 00:45:11.679 And you can't love him. 00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:19.920 So if we can't be accountable to one another, what makes you think that walking down the street when God speaks to you and says, testify that you'll do it? 00:45:20.719 --> 00:45:21.679 Exactly. 00:45:22.880 --> 00:45:25.679 Because So Paul and Barnabas. 00:45:29.199 --> 00:45:33.760 So finally, verse 28. 00:45:34.320 --> 00:45:35.280 Verse 28. 00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:38.480 And there they abode long time with the disciples. 00:45:38.639 --> 00:46:01.280 Paul and Barnabas have completed their first apostolic missionary journey, launched from the church in Antioch of Assyria, going under the authority, Paul the Apostle, Barnabas the Apostle, submitting to the authority of the church in Antioch, accepting the assignment and fulfilling it, and coming back to report. 00:46:01.440 --> 00:46:03.599 We want y'all to know this is what we did. 00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:06.000 Why didn't they say we're apostles? 00:46:06.159 --> 00:46:08.079 We don't have to justify ourselves to you. 00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:16.079 Yeah, because accountability for one. 00:46:16.559 --> 00:46:27.519 If we do not recognize God's authority through others, we'll never recognize it when He Himself speaks to us, the invisible God. 00:46:27.760 --> 00:46:29.119 So I hope you enjoyed that. 00:46:29.280 --> 00:46:31.360 That closes chapter 14 for us. 00:46:31.599 --> 00:46:33.519 That was very eye-opening. 00:46:35.039 --> 00:46:43.039 You know, one of the things that I left about that is because we see God do this through through our own personal lives. 00:46:43.119 --> 00:46:51.280 And I know just here recently, again, I see the Lord moving in his weird way that he does things. 00:46:51.519 --> 00:46:56.800 But you see Paul stand before people who are stoning him. 00:46:58.800 --> 00:47:06.559 And when we first see Paul in Scripture, he's the one holding the coats of the those who are stoning Stephen. 00:47:06.800 --> 00:47:07.199 Yes. 00:47:07.519 --> 00:47:08.960 Isn't that powerful to me? 00:47:09.039 --> 00:47:14.800 I just think God kind of always brings us back around full circle to moments in our life. 00:47:15.039 --> 00:47:21.280 And his statement to the churches, remember, we must all enter into the kingdom of God. 00:47:22.639 --> 00:47:28.559 Yet with the best dance band and air conditioning. 00:47:29.920 --> 00:47:40.800 And Mercedes-Benz and the finest buildings and platforms and the greatest speakers and the best dancers for the Lord who teach in mind and all of that. 00:47:40.880 --> 00:47:48.400 No, he said, through much tribulation, why do we think that the devil is going to greet us and say, So glad you're here? 00:47:48.960 --> 00:47:51.280 Or just saying, okay, I give up. 00:47:53.280 --> 00:48:02.079 You know, one of the things I think that people do not realize is this hell was create was created for Satan. 00:48:02.239 --> 00:48:02.559 Yes. 00:48:02.719 --> 00:48:02.960 Yeah. 00:48:03.199 --> 00:48:08.159 He will not be down in hell ruling and reigning over everybody. 00:48:08.480 --> 00:48:13.119 He is going to be in torment just like anybody else. 00:48:13.280 --> 00:48:13.440 Yeah. 00:48:13.599 --> 00:48:16.639 You're not gonna die and go get to hang out with them. 00:48:18.079 --> 00:48:21.039 When I when I landed a horse in a pool and everything. 00:48:23.280 --> 00:48:27.599 When I landed in Vietnam, I landed in the middle of a rocket attack. 00:48:28.000 --> 00:48:32.239 And I don't remember how I made it from the plane to the bunker. 00:48:32.960 --> 00:48:37.039 I just remember that let's say I was scared whitless. 00:48:37.280 --> 00:48:37.760 Yeah, yeah. 00:48:38.719 --> 00:48:45.360 And I was sitting there, I I got out of the bunker and was into the terminal now, sitting there next to one of the mercenaries. 00:48:45.599 --> 00:48:47.440 And he had this big tattoo on. 00:48:47.840 --> 00:48:49.199 He's a big burly man. 00:48:49.360 --> 00:48:52.559 And I'd rather reign in hell than serve in heaven. 00:48:52.639 --> 00:48:54.800 And I was just a young Christian. 00:48:55.039 --> 00:49:00.000 I looked at that and I said, No, there'll be no reigning in hell. 00:49:01.199 --> 00:49:02.960 I hope that never happens. 00:49:03.360 --> 00:49:07.280 I remember my dad telling me, boy, what I want to go to heaven for, right? 00:49:07.440 --> 00:49:09.119 All my friends are gonna be in hell. 00:49:09.440 --> 00:49:11.280 And they're gonna have no cores in heaven. 00:49:11.440 --> 00:49:14.480 I said, Daddy, oh, there'll be no cores in hell. 00:49:14.639 --> 00:49:15.199 Yeah, yeah. 00:49:15.440 --> 00:49:30.159 We have these concepts and ideas that are so far, and because the church in our generation has been so spoiled, the type of persecution that we receive is not as intense and as physical. 00:49:30.320 --> 00:49:36.719 We've had people who've been persecuted and imprisoned, you know, for praying outside of an abortion clinic. 00:49:36.800 --> 00:49:37.360 Yeah, yeah. 00:49:37.599 --> 00:49:39.440 Yeah, that's called an act of terrorism. 00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:41.199 I can understand blowing one up. 00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:42.239 You need to go to jail. 00:49:42.400 --> 00:49:42.880 Yeah, yeah. 00:49:43.199 --> 00:49:46.480 Yes, that's not, you know, that that that's not in line with the word of God. 00:49:46.719 --> 00:49:47.119 Go ahead. 00:49:47.679 --> 00:50:02.320 But for praying in front of an abortion clinic, or because they didn't want to let their children, their their 10-year-old child, get surgery to change their sexual identity. 00:50:02.480

--> 00:50:03.199 Yeah, yeah. 00:50:03.440 --> 00:50:07.920 You know, and the courts want to come down on them in certain states, they'll take your child from you. 00:50:08.159 --> 00:50:08.960 Yeah, they just did. 00:50:09.199 --> 00:50:10.480 They just did it in Massachusetts. 00:50:10.719 --> 00:50:11.760 In Massachusetts, yeah. 00:50:12.000 --> 00:50:14.239 This this is a wicked world we live in. 00:50:14.320 --> 00:50:14.880 Yeah, yeah. 00:50:15.280 --> 00:50:23.760 And and it's it may not be the same kind of persecution as they received, but we couldn't say that to the Yazidi Christians. 00:50:27.840 --> 00:50:31.039 And what what Al Qaeda and ISIS put them through. 00:50:31.360 --> 00:50:32.159 Yeah, right. 00:50:32.400 --> 00:50:32.800 Yeah. 00:50:33.199 --> 00:50:35.920 And there's just been a new wave in Nigeria, too. 00:50:36.079 --> 00:50:37.840 I just saw, I just read that yesterday. 00:50:37.920 --> 00:50:38.079 Yeah. 00:50:38.400 --> 00:50:39.199 I I don't know. 00:50:39.280 --> 00:50:44.480 I I used I didn't want to sound like a fatalist, but I used to plead with the church when I was pastoring. 00:50:44.719 --> 00:50:47.119 Please get ready for it. 00:50:47.280 --> 00:50:47.599 Yeah. 00:50:47.840 --> 00:50:51.199 Because it's going to come to the USA someday. 00:50:51.440 --> 00:50:51.840 Yeah. 00:50:52.320 --> 00:50:56.639 No church has ever just been totally exempt from persecution. 00:50:56.800 --> 00:51:01.519 It's not that we're saying we want to suffer, but we see what happens. 00:51:02.480 --> 00:51:05.920 We see what happens when Satan is frightened. 00:51:06.079 --> 00:51:06.239 Yeah. 00:51:11.679 --> 00:51:17.440 I think people have always had the attitude, we're safe. 00:51:17.760 --> 00:51:19.679 It all happens over there. 00:51:20.400 --> 00:51:30.639 And then when they come, they they take the attitude, oh, if we're nice, if we're nice to them, they'll be nice to us. 00:51:30.800 --> 00:51:34.320 They don't understand the agenda. 00:51:35.119 --> 00:51:37.440 They didn't come here to be our friends. 00:51:37.679 --> 00:51:40.960 There there are some, there are, well, there's multiple. 00:51:41.119 --> 00:51:49.840 There's multiple persuasions around the world that believe that everybody else who don't think like us has to be wiped out. 00:51:50.000 --> 00:51:50.159 Yeah. 00:51:50.320 --> 00:51:50.639 Yeah. 00:51:51.519 --> 00:51:51.840 Okay. 00:51:52.079 --> 00:51:54.880 We are still required to be a good witness to them. 00:51:55.039 --> 00:51:55.280 Yeah. 00:51:55.440 --> 00:52:01.920 We are still required to respect that they were descendants of Adam, therefore in the similitude of God. 00:52:02.480 --> 00:52:05.360 But that doesn't mean we embrace what they teach. 00:52:05.519 --> 00:52:05.840 Right. 00:52:06.000 --> 00:52:06.639 Yeah. 00:52:07.039 --> 00:52:10.960 That doesn't mean that we're going to say, oh, that that paganism's fine. 00:52:11.119 --> 00:52:11.519 Yeah. 00:52:11.679 --> 00:52:14.079 Go ahead and sacrifice that child on the altar. 00:52:14.239 --> 00:52:15.679 We're not going to do that. 00:52:16.239 --> 00:52:17.280 We're not going to do that. 00:52:17.519 --> 00:52:31.280 Do you know the the funniest thing I think one of the, and I don't mean funny and a good funny, but I mean funniest thing that I've seen just recently was where the the LGBTQ, whatever alphabet, what do we call them? 00:52:31.679 --> 00:52:32.559 The alphabet people. 00:52:33.039 --> 00:52:33.679 Who need Jesus? 00:52:34.000 --> 00:52:35.119 Who need Jesus, right? 00:52:35.519 --> 00:52:41.119 But they were they were marching for this other faith. 00:52:41.360 --> 00:52:42.000 Right. 00:52:42.320 --> 00:52:46.559 And and I think you don't you've not read the Quran. 00:52:47.760 --> 00:52:48.159 I know. 00:52:49.039 --> 00:52:49.679 They won't kill you. 00:52:50.079 --> 00:52:56.239 Because the point is, is if they it when they get in control, this is where we need to figure it out. 00:52:56.480 --> 00:52:58.559 Right now they might be your friend. 00:52:58.800 --> 00:53:04.400 But when they get into control, in Sharia law is the law. 00:53:06.239 --> 00:53:08.320 They have to abide by that. 00:53:08.400 --> 00:53:12.719 And if you're gay, you're supposed to be stoned. 00:53:12.880 --> 00:53:13.119 Yep. 00:53:13.280 --> 00:53:18.079 Yeah, we it we read the scripture says for us, if you're gay, you need to repent. 00:53:18.239 --> 00:53:18.639 Yes. 00:53:18.880 --> 00:53:23.039 But there are other people, as if you're gay, you need to die and you need to go to prison. 00:53:23.199 --> 00:53:23.519 Yeah. 00:53:24.320 --> 00:53:30.480 Listen, we we do business with with a Muslim guy frequently, love him to pieces. 00:53:30.719 --> 00:53:32.559 He treats us with great respect. 00:53:32.800 --> 00:53:37.360 We don't know does he or does he not want to conquer us? 00:53:37.519 --> 00:53:42.880 We know that he treats us with great respect and we want to be a great witness and a great testimony. 00:53:43.039 --> 00:53:43.360 Yes. 00:53:43.599 --> 00:53:52.880 But if it comes to us having to choose between Jesus and him, it'll be Jesus every day. 00:53:59.039 --> 00:54:01.360 Brigitte starts with a G. 00:54:01.760 --> 00:54:02.880 You can't remember it either. 00:54:02.960 --> 00:54:03.519 It's okay. 00:54:04.159 --> 00:54:16.719 But she talks about the fact that only 10% of the Muslim group of Muslims around the world are really terrorists and will really subjugate you like that. 00:54:17.039 --> 00:54:18.719 But how many billions are there? 00:54:18.880 --> 00:54:19.119 Right. 00:54:19.679 --> 00:54:22.079 So 10% is a lot. 00:54:22.400 --> 00:54:22.719 A lot. 00:54:23.760 --> 00:54:30.480 So we still need to be an effective witness and the love of God be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. 00:54:30.639 --> 00:54:32.239 But don't be surprised. 00:54:32.400 --> 00:54:41.280 You know, we don't you I went to a Buddhist country and it just wasn't that good for

Christians in the Buddhist country. 00:54:42.639 --> 00:54:43.920 You hear all the time about that. 00:54:44.639 --> 00:54:51.280 You know, you there are certain people in in the Hindu faith who feel like if you ain't a Hindu, we're gonna kill you. 00:54:51.360 --> 00:54:51.519 Yeah. 00:54:51.920 --> 00:55:00.559 There are certain people in and almost every I hate to say it, but there are some lame people who that they're there's supplants, they're not truly Christian. 00:55:00.639 --> 00:55:02.159 They call themselves Christian. 00:55:02.239 --> 00:55:02.960 Yeah, yeah. 00:55:03.199 --> 00:55:05.280 That think that violence is an answer. 00:55:05.440 --> 00:55:05.920 Yeah, yeah. 00:55:06.159 --> 00:55:07.679 No, it it ain't so. 00:55:07.920 --> 00:55:08.159 No. 00:55:08.400 --> 00:55:09.920 We serve the living God. 00:55:10.000 --> 00:55:10.320 Yes. 00:55:10.480 --> 00:55:12.480 And when judgment comes, he'll bring it. 00:55:12.639 --> 00:55:13.280 He'll bring it. 00:55:13.920 --> 00:55:26.400 And and believe me, the fear of the Lord, if you don't find the fear of the Lord now, when you do find it, yeah. 00:55:26.639 --> 00:55:33.280 Yeah, it because if you find the fear of the Lord now, you'll also find his great love and mercy and compassion. 00:55:33.760 --> 00:55:40.400 But if you wait till judgment to find the fear of the Lord, you won't be able to stand it. 00:55:40.639 --> 00:55:41.599 It's too late. 00:55:41.840 --> 00:55:46.960 I I there's here's what we need to people need to understand. 00:55:47.039 --> 00:55:49.599 And and I hate that that's a hard word, right? 00:55:49.920 --> 00:55:59.679 But we have to be honest to say if you're standing at the judgment seat at the great white throne judgment, you ran out of there's no repentance. 00:56:00.159 --> 00:56:02.079 There's no repentance there. 00:56:02.400 --> 00:56:03.760 Judgment comes there. 00:56:03.920 --> 00:56:05.119 There's no repentance. 00:56:05.280 --> 00:56:08.480 Right now is the time of salvation, the Bible says. 00:56:08.719 --> 00:56:12.800 Right now is the time, you know, to seek the Lord where he may be found. 00:56:13.119 --> 00:56:13.920 You need to see it. 00:56:14.079 --> 00:56:15.440 Our pastor, Alan R. 00:56:15.599 --> 00:56:20.239 Brady, who is now gone, pastored our little church in Alamogordo. 00:56:22.000 --> 00:56:25.760 He could preach hell so hot, yeah, he'd almost sweat. 00:56:25.840 --> 00:56:26.880 Yeah, but you know what? 00:56:27.119 --> 00:56:31.599 He did it with tears of compassion running down his face. 00:56:32.320 --> 00:56:37.920 He made you understand to hear from the Lord depart from me. 00:56:38.800 --> 00:56:52.000 I cannot imagine the depth of despondency and depression and hopelessness that a human being will experience eternally. 00:56:54.079 --> 00:56:56.559 Sometimes I think that hell is a metaphor. 00:56:56.639 --> 00:56:58.320 There is a teaching that it is. 00:56:58.719 --> 00:57:19.840 But the reason I say that is because how else

can we describe adequately the pain of being without God other than being literally a flame with all your nerves on fire and that agony never ending for eternity? 00:57:20.480 --> 00:57:25.119 If hell is a real flame, or if hell is being without God, it's gonna be that pain. 00:57:25.360 --> 00:57:26.800 It's gonna be that, yeah. 00:57:27.039 --> 00:57:27.360 Yeah. 00:57:27.599 --> 00:57:32.559 And I don't want anybody to take that lightly. 00:57:32.800 --> 00:57:42.880 We it if you can't, if you can't feel this compassion, I I was witnessing to this guy in Vietnam quite a bit, and I felt like we weren't getting anywhere. 00:57:43.039 --> 00:57:47.920 And I I know that you're not always gonna get someplace with everyone you witness to, but I felt a prompting. 00:57:48.000 --> 00:57:50.960 And so I looked at him one day and I said, you know what? 00:57:51.440 --> 00:57:55.360 And I think it's because of the game he talked to me about Christianity, maybe. 00:57:55.599 --> 00:57:58.800 I said, I'm gonna pray for you a different prayer. 00:57:59.360 --> 00:58:00.400 He said, What's that? 00:58:00.559 --> 00:58:04.320 I said, I'm gonna pray you have a vision of hell because you think it's funny. 00:58:06.800 --> 00:58:08.320 You think it's a light thing. 00:58:08.880 --> 00:58:12.320 So I'm gonna pray for you to have a vision or a dream of hell. 00:58:12.719 --> 00:58:15.199 I didn't see him for three weeks, maybe longer. 00:58:15.679 --> 00:58:19.280 I finally caught up with him one day and he was in tears. 00:58:20.239 --> 00:58:22.400 He said, You got to take that off of me. 00:58:22.559 --> 00:58:24.000 I can't sleep at night. 00:58:24.960 --> 00:58:27.199 He said, I can't and tears running down his face. 00:58:27.280 --> 00:58:29.039 He said, I don't want to see this anymore. 00:58:29.199 --> 00:58:30.480 So he saw something. 00:58:31.199 --> 00:58:33.039 I've never done that since. 00:58:35.679 --> 00:58:39.920 But hell is not a joke, it's a reality. 00:58:40.400 --> 00:58:56.800 And somehow we have got to feel for our neighbors, for our co-workers, for our families, something that makes us pray, something that makes them makes us show them the love of God, because that's all that can rescue them. 00:59:00.719 --> 00:59:04.719 And I think this is why Paul could endure the stoning. 00:59:05.039 --> 00:59:13.760 This is why he and Silas could sing praises at night after their backs were bloody and they were in stocks in the prison. 00:59:14.000 --> 00:59:19.039 Not because they enjoyed the pain, but because they knew the gospel had touched somebody. 00:59:19.679 --> 00:59:22.079 Yeah, there would be a result. 00:59:22.960 --> 00:59:23.599 Amen. 00:59:23.840 --> 00:59:24.800 Yeah, all right, y'all. 00:59:24.880 --> 00:59:25.360 We gotta go. 00:59:25.440 --> 00:59:26.000 We're out of time. 00:59:26.239 --> 00:59:26.639 Oh, okay. 00:59:27.039 --> 00:59:28.639 What a great lesson today. 00:59:28.880 --> 00:59:31.920 All right, so uh let's end with our slogan. 00:59:32.159 --> 00:59:32.719 All right. 00:59:33.119 --> 00:59:34.719 Y'all ready back there? 00:59:35.280 --> 00:59:36.800 Yeah, we got the good crowd. 00:59:36.880 --> 00:59:37.599 Here we go. 00:59:37.840 --> 00:59:47.119 Show some love, show some compassion, give mercy and go be Jesus today. 00:59:48.159 --> 00:59:49.760 Hey STU family. 00:59:49.920 --> 00:59:56.159 If you have enjoyed this podcast today, would you please like, follow, and share our podcast link? 00:59:56.320 --> 01:00:01.360 And we would love to hear your feedback and your podcast topic suggestions. 01:00:01.599 --> 01:00:12.159 To do that, simply go to our website at www.m3mi.org, scroll to the more tab, and select contact us. 01:00:12.719 --> 01:00:18.559 Also, if STU has been a blessing to you, you can also go to our website and select sew a seed. 01:00:18.719 --> 01:00:26.639 There are several ways that you can give, whether it's Zelda, Vinmo, Cash App, or there's an address to send a check or money order. 01:00:26.800 --> 01:00:31.760 All your gifts are tax-deductible, and we thank you so much for sewing your seed with us. 01:00:32.000 --> 01:00:33.599 I want you to remember this. 01:00:33.920 --> 01:00:42.880 The last person once said that a person has given you their time, they have given you their most precious gift because they can never ever get it back. 01:00:43.119 --> 01:00:45.119 Thank you for sharing this day with me. 01:00:45.360 --> 01:00:47.039 We love you, we'll see you soon.