1 00:00:07,940 --> 00:00:11,540 Open your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 22. 2 00:00:13,380 --> 00:00:21,340 We finished on Sunday. Paul is saved from the mob by 3 00:00:21,340 --> 00:00:30,100 the Romans and as he's been carried literally above the 4 00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:34,160 heads of the Romans to the barracks, he asked the 5 00:00:34,160 --> 00:00:36,760 commander, could he speak to the crowd? 6 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:40,680 Could he address the crowd? Funny, probably. 7 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,120 If you and I will get us out of here, please get us somewhere 8 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:47,360 safe because remember they had been beating Paul, they were 9 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,800 trying to kill him. Paul says no, no, no. 10 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:54,600 Let me, let me, if I may, I address the crowd in some verse 11 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,960 22. We pick it up and what we have 12 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,640 here is Paul's defence before the Jews, his testimony. 13 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:10,600 Paul is about to give his this is my life experience to this 14 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:16,160 maddened crowd that had bits of his skin under their fingernails 15 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:22,040 and bits of his hair, blood from his body on them, on their 16 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,840 fists. And he's about to give them his 17 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:30,960 testimony, a crowd that wants him dead Conall not like the 18 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:37,040 normal audience use the address, you know, and he starts off with 19 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:41,920 telling them that I'm one of you, I'm a Jew because he begins 20 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:45,840 to speak in Hebrew, Aramaic. And the crowd hushes when 21 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:47,800 they're oh, this God, he's he's Jewish. 22 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,000 And he's about to tell them something significant that we'll 23 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,960 learn of tonight, the power of our testimony. 24 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:01,200 He's about to tell them that God, Jesus Christ specifically, 25 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:06,040 has changed me forever. He's going to give his personal 26 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:09,759 testimony. He's about to tell them I am not 27 00:02:09,759 --> 00:02:14,720 the same person I once was. You're going to actually use 28 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:17,920 those words yourself the next time you're sharing with mom, 29 00:02:17,920 --> 00:02:22,400 dad, brother, sister, Co worker, stranger about Christianity. 30 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:29,960 The most powerful sermon that's people will hear is written in 31 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:34,240 shoe leather. Your shoe leather, it says in 32 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:40,400 2nd Corinthians 517. Therefore, if any man be in 33 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:46,520 Christ, he is a new creature. That's either true or not. 34 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,960 Old things have passed away. It's my old life. 35 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,520 Behold my new life. All things have become new. 36 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,840 All things. What we have today, 37 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:04,880 unfortunately is people where they've made a statement, but 38 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:11,120 there's been no change and thus the witness of the church has 39 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:16,400 weakened over time. Paul has 1 burning desire now, 40 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:19,480 which is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. 41 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:26,280 Is that your one burning desire? Oh no, I want to win a Lotto, I 42 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,640 want to go to Europe, I want to buy a caravan, travel around 43 00:03:29,640 --> 00:03:31,080 Australia. Nothing wrong with any of those 44 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:35,520 things besides buying lottery tickets. 45 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:42,520 Paul has 1 burning desire. The the How Long I was Saved on 46 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:47,560 a Tuesday and remember it vividly in March 1977. 47 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,840 And that weekend we set up on a tour. 48 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,600 We set off on a personal testimony tour. 49 00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:01,360 We went and visited every member of our family, both sides, to 50 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:08,200 tell them something's happened to us, we've changed who changed 51 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:13,680 us, what we are now and what we're going to be and everyone. 52 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:20,320 That's nice, good for you. But it was the one burning 53 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,800 desire. Remember the woman at the well, 54 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:27,520 she can go home and go, man, that was an experience. 55 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,840 And 1/2 meeting that guy, wow, she ran into the city. 56 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,240 Everybody, you got to come out and listen to this guy. 57 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,760 And Paul is about to witness his personal testimony with his 58 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:45,840 fellow Jews. Why is he going to do that? 59 00:04:45,840 --> 00:04:48,160 Because he knows. And that's what happens when you 60 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:51,840 get saved. You know, family members, loved 61 00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:54,440 ones, you know what? They're not saved. 62 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,840 There's a difference now. There's something that you have 63 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:04,680 to do now because you know what awaits those who aren't saved. 64 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:10,320 Paul knew that all Scripture now and he was a Pharisee. 65 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,520 He says he is a Pharisee of the Pharisees. 66 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,800 Every Pharisee knew Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, 67 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:21,440 Deuteronomy off by heart. They knew the law, they knew the 68 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:25,000 prophets, they lived them. They counted out seeds and 69 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,400 everything else for tithes and offerings. 70 00:05:29,280 --> 00:05:33,120 Paul knew all these scriptures, but now all these scriptures he 71 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:36,120 knows point to one person, Jesus Christ. 72 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,000 That's what the Bible is. It's his story. 73 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:44,520 History is his story and he wants to share the Scriptures. 74 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:48,040 He wants to tell the Jews who know the Scriptures but don't 75 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:51,360 know the King or the author or the God of the Scriptures. 76 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,520 They know about the God of the Scriptures, but they don't know 77 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,760 the God of the Scriptures. In the beginning was the Word, 78 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,680 the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and the Word 79 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:04,080 became flesh and dwelt amongst us, Jesus Christ. 80 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:08,120 He knew that the Scripture spoke of Christ as the King, King of 81 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:13,000 not only Israel but King of kings, but also that he was the 82 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:16,200 suffering servant. There was a purpose and a reason 83 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:18,920 why Jesus came, suffered and died on the cross. 84 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:26,360 Paul speaks as to how he was the persecutor of those who belong 85 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:30,720 to what was called the way followers of Christ. 86 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,160 Because Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. 87 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:41,080 I was just like you, Paul said. And that's what how we can we 88 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,960 can talk to friends and people that you work with a stranger 89 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:50,280 about your faith. I was just like you and Paul. 90 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:53,120 Paul shares his personal testimony. 91 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:58,320 The most powerful witness you can give to someone else is to 92 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:03,840 share the changes God has wrought in your life since you 93 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:08,080 received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. 94 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:16,080 Men and brethren, fathers, hear my defence which I make unto 95 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:17,880 you. And when they heard that he 96 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,360 spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more 97 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:24,920 silence. And he said, I am verily a man 98 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:29,240 which am a Jew. I'm like you, born in Tarsus 99 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:34,080 City in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of 100 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,560 Gamma Leal. Gamma Leal was the rabbi of 101 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,480 Rabbi. He's the greatest teacher of 102 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:43,760 Hebrews, taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the 103 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:45,560 fathers. I know the law. 104 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:50,240 I know better than you. I was zealous toward God. 105 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,560 I lived it as you all are this day. 106 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,760 You're living. I know you're living for God. 107 00:07:55,760 --> 00:08:02,320 You're trying. And I persecuted this way these 108 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:07,640 followers unto death. I, I, I tracked them down until 109 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:15,240 they were killed, binding, delivering into prisons both men 110 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:20,080 and women. Paul was relentless, as also the 111 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,800 high priest does. Bear me witness. 112 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,560 You are the 1. You gave me the, the documents 113 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:31,400 that I was to take with me to Damascus and all the estate of 114 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,360 the elders, from whom I also received letters unto the 115 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,200 brethren. And I was on my way to Damascus 116 00:08:38,039 --> 00:08:42,600 to bring them of the way which were bound unto Jerusalem. 117 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:44,920 I was going to chain them up, bring them back to Jerusalem, 118 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,400 put them in gaol, have them persecuted, have them put to 119 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:53,120 death, have them punished. And it came to pass that as I 120 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:56,640 was on this journey, as I made my journey and was come near to 121 00:08:56,640 --> 00:09:01,880 Damascus, and it was noon now, noon in Damascus, it's bright, 122 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:06,080 it's dazzling. Suddenly there was this shone 123 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:11,280 from heaven even a greater light, far greater dazzling than 124 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:15,840 the noonday sun in Damascus, and shone around about me. 125 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:20,600 And I fell onto the ground stunned, heard a voice saying to 126 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:26,280 me, Saul, Saul, why persecutors thou me? 127 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:29,960 And I answered, Who are you, Lord? 128 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:37,240 And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecutors. 129 00:09:38,680 --> 00:09:42,400 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, thou were 130 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:47,280 afraid, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. 131 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,600 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? 132 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:58,440 The Bible tells us no man can call Jesus Christ Lord except by 133 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:02,600 the Holy Spirit. The fact that Paul acknowledged 134 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:08,320 Jesus as Lord shows us he had a genuine conversion on the road 135 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:14,560 to Damascus. His life was turned 180°. 136 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:21,040 That's called repentance about term, military term, from being 137 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:27,080 the enemy of Christ to becoming the bond slave of Christ. 138 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:32,360 What a radical change that is. And the Lord said unto me, Arise 139 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:37,160 going to Damascus, and there it shall be told you of all the 140 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:41,080 things which are appointed for you to do So here was the first 141 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:44,160 step. Go to Damascus. 142 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:49,680 You see, God only gave Paul the first step. 143 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:54,920 You'll notice with me in the Bibles, Paul would never have 144 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:59,480 gotten to the second step until he had taken the 1st. 145 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:02,800 It's something so many people lose sight of. 146 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,520 They come out for prayer. They went counselling about 147 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,440 something and you know they haven't done the first step. 148 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:13,200 First step is, are you saved? Do you know Christ? 149 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:15,560 No. He's praying about your marriage 150 00:11:15,560 --> 00:11:18,640 and praying about this and being a better mother and a better 151 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:20,360 father, all that. Are you saved? 152 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:25,560 First, first step and then once you are saved, then the other 153 00:11:25,560 --> 00:11:28,200 steps are are you living according to God's will, 154 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,400 according to his plan? Are you reading the Bible? 155 00:11:30,560 --> 00:11:32,880 Are you praying? If you aren't doing those first 156 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:36,480 steps, you can forget all about all this other stuff down the 157 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,600 road because you're nowhere near that. 158 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:48,880 You see, we each discover God's plans by taking single steps of 159 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:51,080 faith. Book of Proverbs says the steps 160 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,760 of a good man are ordered by the Lord. 161 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,920 Why does it say the steps? Because God only tells you this 162 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:02,640 bit today. Do this today. 163 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,360 Don't worry about tomorrow. Do this today. 164 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:11,160 What you and I want. We want five years, 10 years 165 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:14,560 down the down the line. Well, where's this going to go? 166 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:17,360 What's going to happen? Hey, just do what I've asked you 167 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:25,360 to do today. Now Visions 210 says, for we are 168 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,160 his workmanship. Many of you know the word Greek 169 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:34,240 word poema, his work of art, what he's doing created in 170 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:41,360 Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained. 171 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:46,760 What that we should walk in them doesn't say run, make haste in 172 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:51,280 them doesn't. Doesn't God want us to walk 173 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,360 before him? You know, walking is just a 174 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:57,080 measured step, one step at a time. 175 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:04,320 God has planned your whole life. Psalm 139 tells us that. 176 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:10,840 Did you know that God has planned your whole life? 177 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:12,680 He's planned. He knew you'll be here tonight. 178 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:15,440 He says you're going to be here tonight. 179 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:19,240 I'm going to say this to you. You're going to listen, you're 180 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:20,960 going to take in some parts, some parts. 181 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,760 There are things that I need to say to you tonight because you 182 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,720 need to hear them tonight. That's why you're here. 183 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:33,000 God has planned your whole life, He said to young Jeremiah, who's 184 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,840 just a teenager. Chapter one, verse 5. 185 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:43,360 Before I formed you in the belly, I knew you. 186 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:48,440 And before you came forth out of the womb, I sanctified you. 187 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,680 That means I set you apart for a purpose. 188 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:58,320 And I ordained you. I've given you this mission, a 189 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:02,840 prophet to speak on behalf of me unto the nations. 190 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,080 What did Jeremiah say? I'm just a kid. 191 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:13,120 What are you talking about? You see, God doesn't care how 192 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:16,560 old you are. Then say ah, sorry, sorry 193 00:14:16,560 --> 00:14:18,560 Jeremy, I'll wait to you. I'll wait to you've done your 194 00:14:18,560 --> 00:14:20,680 thing, you know, growing up, gone through teenagers and you 195 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:23,080 know you've gone this and had your your backpacked around the 196 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:24,520 world. Then I'll then we'll talk. 197 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:31,480 No, Jeremiah, I'm calling you now. 198 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:42,000 Before I formed you, I knew you. Sadly, as a pastor, I think that 199 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:48,040 most people miss the the purpose of God for their existence 200 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:56,560 because one, they get caught up in the cares of this life, isn't 201 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:58,880 it? I think it's sinful, but isn't 202 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:02,360 it ridiculous that we are too busy for God? 203 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:08,640 Think about it. Isn't it ridiculous that we are 204 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:14,840 too busy to read, to pray, to speak, to honour, to worship the 205 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,360 King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, Creator of heaven and 206 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:18,840 earth? Think about that. 207 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,560 People get caught up in the cares of this life and guess you 208 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,880 know how long this life is. It's just but a cloud, James 209 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,120 says. It's just but a vapour gone. 210 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:34,000 What then? And the deceitfulness of riches. 211 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,880 Well, I'll be happy if I just find a good fellow. 212 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:41,560 Good lady, get this good job, have this good car, get that 213 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:45,040 seat away. As long as I got that, I'll be 214 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:46,160 happy. No, you won't. 215 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:51,520 It's like people try and travel and, and do lots of things and 216 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:56,400 change locations and things to, to try and find a, a, a getaway. 217 00:15:56,400 --> 00:16:00,480 And I well, let's sell the farm and let's move into the city or 218 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:03,640 let's sell the city house and move into a farm and, and let's 219 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,520 try this. You know, you take your problems 220 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:07,520 with you because you're the problem. 221 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:11,920 The only place that's changed is your environment. 222 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:19,720 The deceitfulness of riches things won't fix you. 223 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:25,520 And thirdly, the desire of other things chokes out what God would 224 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:28,120 have them accomplish for His purpose. 225 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,560 And that word choke means strangle. 226 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:35,640 So God has all this stuff. And what happens is is you kind 227 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,760 of you, you come into church and you got pots and pans and you 228 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:41,000 got, you know, businesses and things. 229 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,720 You got things on the stove in your mind. 230 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,080 What I'm going to cook for Mother's Day, who's coming or 231 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:47,600 what am I doing? I've got this plan. 232 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:49,520 I've got to fix that. The plumber's coming and I've 233 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:53,720 got all this stuff around me and I and I dragging into church 234 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:58,120 with me. God can't, He can't get near me. 235 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,480 He can't. He can't get near me because the 236 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,319 desire of other things is choking, strangling what God 237 00:17:07,319 --> 00:17:09,480 would have them accomplished for His purpose. 238 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:15,280 God has a plan for you, and it's an amazing plan. 239 00:17:15,599 --> 00:17:20,119 It's in that plan that you will find joy. 240 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:24,240 It's in that plan that you will find peace. 241 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:30,280 Apart from that plan, you'll grumble, you'll be angry, you'll 242 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,920 be upset, you'll be anxious, you'll be troubled, and that 243 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,640 will just continue on. And the more you get stuck in 244 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:40,680 with the cares of the world, the more angry, the more struggling, 245 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,040 the more things will fall apart. Things won't work. 246 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:47,520 The Lord has a plan for each of us. 247 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:50,680 Philippians chapter 3, verse 12 says, not as though I had 248 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:53,920 already attained. Paul says about his life either. 249 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:58,040 We're already perfect, but I follow after if that I may 250 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:04,080 apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 251 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:08,960 He says I each day I want to serve him and grow and learn and 252 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:14,600 know how do we discover the how do we discover the purpose that 253 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:18,440 God has for our lives? Simple. 254 00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:30,640 It's very simple, but it's difficult by yielding ourselves. 255 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:35,920 I beseech you, therefore, that you present your bodies. 256 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:41,800 What a living sacrifice. If you want to follow me, take 257 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:45,200 up the cross, deny yourself, deny yourself, take up the 258 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:47,320 cross. Jesus said seek ye first the 259 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,080 Kingdom of God, the first commandment. 260 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:51,960 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind, 261 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:55,680 soul and strength. If you see this is where it's 262 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:58,360 at. That's why when people come for 263 00:18:58,360 --> 00:19:01,400 counselling or something or or or want to be prayed for, the 264 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,480 first things we need to find out is how do you walk with God? 265 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,520 Because it's just, we're just banging our heads against the 266 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:09,000 wall. We're thinking of something 267 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:12,000 else. Try and try and down, down the 268 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:17,120 road a little. We yield ourselves. 269 00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:23,160 And how do we yield ourselves? We walk by faith one step at a 270 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:26,280 time. Today do the will of God 271 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,400 tomorrow. When you pray for tomorrow, pray 272 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:32,240 God tomorrow help me to walk in your will. 273 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:35,120 Help me to know your will for me to do that tomorrow. 274 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:37,800 Help me to speak to the people I need to speak to. 275 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:40,120 Help me not to say the things I shouldn't say. 276 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:42,800 Guide me through your word as I read it in the morning. 277 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,440 Guide my steps. Go before me into tomorrow. 278 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:51,880 Lord, leave me. Guide me one step at a time so I 279 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:55,040 can always walk by faith and not by sight. 280 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:59,800 But I must take that first step. Have you taken the first step 281 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:02,560 Paul did on the road to Damascus? 282 00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:06,080 Paul began his journey on the road and look at the difference. 283 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:09,160 He started off as a Saul and he ends up as a Paul took about 284 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:14,800 180° change on the road to Damascus. 285 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:22,760 He had set out plans, chains. Gang a posse with him, it says 286 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:27,360 on the road to Damascus, as he started says of Paul or Saul, he 287 00:20:27,360 --> 00:20:32,920 was fiercely angry man snorting just get people. 288 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:36,640 Murder was in his eyes. He was going to get these people 289 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:38,160 he was going to have put to death. 290 00:20:40,120 --> 00:20:43,360 And in his heart, he was livid about this mob. 291 00:20:43,360 --> 00:20:47,640 The way man, he was angry again. He just wondered all men, women 292 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:50,960 should get them all, bring them back, bring them back in chains. 293 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:56,360 But now, as he came into Damascus, he's blind. 294 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:03,600 He's LED like a lamb. The anger, notice this, please. 295 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:08,600 The anger and hatred were all gone. 296 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:13,920 Wow. Because you see, when you have 297 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:17,120 the grace of God, what comes? Peace. 298 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:20,640 Maybe you don't have peace tonight. 299 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:28,160 The question is, do you have the grace now? 300 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,600 The peace of God ruled over his heart and soul. 301 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:38,480 He was a changed man, absolutely changed verse 11 when I could 302 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,800 not see for the glory of that light being led by the hand of 303 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:46,760 them that were with me. I came into Damascus one Ananias 304 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:50,520 A devout man. Notice how Paul now describes 305 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:53,080 Ananias. He doesn't say and Ananias he 306 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,040 was a Christian. He doesn't mention that. 307 00:21:56,160 --> 00:22:02,560 He says he's remember he's, he's here as a Jews, devout Jews, and 308 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:06,920 one Ananias, A devout man, a godly man according to the law. 309 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:12,920 He was a godly man having a good report of all the Jews who dwelt 310 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:17,760 there in Syria, came to me, stood and said to me, Brother 311 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:23,720 Saul, receive your sight in the same hour I looked upon him. 312 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,920 Paul, in describing the godly man and servant Ananias, doesn't 313 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:31,080 say he's a believer. Instead he described Ananias as 314 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,080 a devout man according to the law. 315 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:34,920 Because this is the people he's trying to win. 316 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:39,640 He had a good reputation Ananias amongst his fellow Jews in 317 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,400 Damascus. All this was important to his 318 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:43,840 hears. And they're all going Oh yeah, 319 00:22:44,120 --> 00:22:46,640 yeah, yeah, here, go on. And he's leading them. 320 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:50,480 Verse 14 And he said the God of our fathers. 321 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:55,880 Notice when he said the God of our fathers has chosen you, that 322 00:22:55,880 --> 00:23:00,480 you should know his will and see that just one capitals and 323 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:04,200 should hear the voice of his mouth Speaking of Jesus, the God 324 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:09,720 of our fathers, John 1516 says You have not chosen me, but I 325 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:13,840 have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring 326 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:18,120 forth fruit, that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever 327 00:23:18,120 --> 00:23:22,560 you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 328 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:26,560 Here's the deal Paul is being told by Ananias. 329 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:31,160 God chose you, Paul, Saul, you're chosen. 330 00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:35,120 Our God, the God of our fathers has chosen you. 331 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:44,880 If anyone today ever lacks self esteem as they call it, knowing 332 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:51,480 that Jesus has chosen you should forever take care of that 333 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:57,000 problem once and for all. Because when you realise you're 334 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:00,640 chosen by God, it takes everything. 335 00:24:02,080 --> 00:24:05,600 Verse 15 For you shall be his witness. 336 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:12,120 This is what Paul is at the job unto all men of what you have 337 00:24:12,120 --> 00:24:14,240 seen and heard, give your testimony. 338 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,280 That's what you ought to do, mine to do. 339 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:23,280 What have you seen and heard? What has God done in your life 340 00:24:24,360 --> 00:24:26,560 chosen to be a witness to all men? 341 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:31,440 Paul would share his personal testimony with Felix. 342 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,520 Not the cat, but Felix, the Procurator of Judea. 343 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:42,160 Procurator was a Roman military position that had control over 344 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:45,680 entire countries. The procurator would under the 345 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:49,280 Roman system, any country under the Roman system, the procurator 346 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:52,160 ran the show. He was going to give. 347 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,520 He's going to give his testimony to Phoenix. 348 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:56,920 He's going to give it to this poor kid called Festus. 349 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:02,480 Festus got made a lot of fun of at school because his name was 350 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:06,360 Festus. Festus was the successor of 351 00:25:06,360 --> 00:25:09,640 Felix as the procurator of Judea. 352 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:12,960 And then Paul would give his personal testimony to King 353 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:17,320 Agrippa. And then we believe because he 354 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:21,600 stood before Caesar, that Paul gave his personal testimony to 355 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:27,480 Caesar Nero before his death. So on another at least 4 356 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:31,640 occasions, Paul is going to tell people, this is what happened to 357 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:33,960 me. How many people have you told 358 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:35,160 what happened? What's happened to you? 359 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:41,400 How many people have you shared, this is my story, this is what 360 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:44,440 happened, this is what I used to be, this is what I was doing. 361 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,640 This is how I lived, how I believe now this is what I am, 362 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:50,800 this is what I do. Do you have a testimony? 363 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:57,760 You do if you've been saved by Jesus Christ and then Ananias 364 00:25:57,760 --> 00:26:02,440 says to him, and now why Terrius, thee arise, be baptised 365 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:06,640 and wash away the thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord, 366 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:09,960 Ananias tells Paul or what are you waiting for? 367 00:26:12,120 --> 00:26:14,360 You see we are saved. What for? 368 00:26:14,360 --> 00:26:18,200 So we go, Jesus is coming, Jesus coming, let's meet together, 369 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:23,400 Jesus coming. We are saved to serve. 370 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:29,880 We are saved now to begin to do the good works that God has 371 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:33,720 prepared before the foundation of the earth, before your form 372 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:36,000 for you to do. So what is it that God wants you 373 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:39,960 to do? Each and everyone of you? 374 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:47,040 Baptism followed for Paul. Why? 375 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:51,880 Because I baptism was a public announcement. 376 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:55,200 What's happened in his heart that he did indeed believe in 377 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:58,720 Jesus Christ, that he was the Son of God. 378 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:01,600 That's why he was baptised. He's telling people by his 379 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:04,640 baptism. I'm a follower of Jesus now full 380 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:13,040 on if I am baptised but still ruled by my flesh. 381 00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:17,000 And sadly, many people get baptised and there's no change. 382 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:19,320 I still live as they've been living. 383 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:25,200 But if I am baptised but still ruled by my flesh, then my 384 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:30,000 baptism was a hypocritical religious experience because I'm 385 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,520 still living after the flesh. Why? 386 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:37,120 Because the Bible tells us so. Romans 63 No, you're not that. 387 00:27:37,120 --> 00:27:41,280 So many of us were baptised unto Jesus Christ, were baptised unto 388 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,680 his death. That means when we're baptised 389 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:48,600 we recognise we're dead. It's the old means finished and 390 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:52,880 talk about the old Keith, Bob, Harry, Jack. 391 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:57,720 That's not my life. Now that life is dead and 392 00:27:57,720 --> 00:27:59,200 buried. That's why we go into the ocean 393 00:27:59,360 --> 00:28:03,040 and we lower you back. It's a funeral and you come out 394 00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:07,600 walking in the newness of life. Galatians 320 says, For as many 395 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:13,720 of you as have been baptised unto Christ have put on Christ. 396 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:19,440 Now you walk following Christ in his righteousness, covered by 397 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:24,000 his precious blood. The problem is we have a 398 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:27,840 Christianity Today that says come and go, please yourself. 399 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:31,320 Doesn't matter what you believe. You know you have a religious 400 00:28:31,320 --> 00:28:34,160 experience. But we see no change and people 401 00:28:34,160 --> 00:28:37,400 go, why should I follow bother going to that church? 402 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,320 Why should I bother being like that person? 403 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:41,520 Because they're the same as they've always been. 404 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,720 Their mouth is still the same, Their thoughts are still the 405 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:47,480 same, the way they raise their kids are still the same. 406 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:50,800 Their marriage is still the same, Their life is still the 407 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:55,200 same. John tells us the 1 John 408 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,040 shouldn't be. Paul told us in that first 409 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:01,280 scripture, we're new creatures in Christ. 410 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:04,320 We've been changed, old things have passed away. 411 00:29:04,560 --> 00:29:10,560 We hold all things anew. Doesn't mean we're perfect, but 412 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:12,880 it means this. And John tells us, the 1 John 413 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:16,120 that we now no longer practise sin. 414 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:21,600 We slip up, yes, but it's not our habitual lifestyle anymore. 415 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:30,280 Verse 17 And it came to pass that when I was come again to 416 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:34,120 Jerusalem, even while I pray in the temple, I was in the trance. 417 00:29:34,360 --> 00:29:38,440 Paul mentions this only once, doesn't write about this time in 418 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:39,800 any of his letters. Why? 419 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:45,080 Because he wants the word to be significant and not just this 420 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:47,400 time where he had God gave him a vision. 421 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:51,200 Paul's first trip back to Jerusalem after his conversion 422 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:53,680 experience. This was after his desert 423 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:57,360 experience as well where he had spent, remember three years in 424 00:29:57,360 --> 00:30:02,040 Arabia, verse 18 and saw him Jesus saying unto me, make 425 00:30:02,040 --> 00:30:05,040 haste, get thee quickly out of Jerusalem for they will not 426 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:07,080 receive your testimony concerning me. 427 00:30:07,280 --> 00:30:10,000 If Paul, Paul wanted to stay in Jerusalem, you know what he 428 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:12,400 wanted to give his testimony and God said that's not what I want 429 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:16,200 you to do and you can't go. No Lord, I got a better idea. 430 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:17,640 That's not what I want you to do. 431 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:22,560 And I said, Lord, they know that I am prison and be in every 432 00:30:22,560 --> 00:30:24,160 synergy of them that believe in thee. 433 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:27,440 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was 434 00:30:27,440 --> 00:30:30,920 standing by consenting unto his death and kept the raiment, the 435 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:32,480 clothing of them that killed him. 436 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:36,160 Paul is reminded he heard Stephen's message. 437 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:41,000 It was powerful. Verse 21 and Jesus said unto me 438 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:49,280 get depart move for I will send you their far hence unto the 439 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:55,000 Gentiles. So Paul have been going pretty 440 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:58,560 well so far. Crowds go hey, it's interesting 441 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:00,920 good story mate, mate, God appeared to him. 442 00:31:00,920 --> 00:31:03,840 Wow, let's hear about this all so good. 443 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:09,680 Verse 22 and they gave him audience under this word and 444 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:12,760 then lifted up their voice and said because he said something. 445 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:20,000 All was going great until Paul mentioned the word Gentiles and 446 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:23,360 that just went I was like Chuck and petrol on a live fight just 447 00:31:23,360 --> 00:31:27,640 went boom. Then the crowd went ballistic 448 00:31:28,160 --> 00:31:31,920 dirt thrown in the air, death chance, kill him, kill him, grab 449 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:34,520 him, kill him, kill him and they were screaming. 450 00:31:35,440 --> 00:31:37,840 Now the Romans had no idea what was going on. 451 00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:39,240 Why? Because they can't understand 452 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:42,520 Hebrew or Aramaic. Only the Jews could. 453 00:31:43,160 --> 00:31:46,000 They can only speak Latin. They've gone what what he just 454 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,080 said. And so they grab hold of him and 455 00:31:49,080 --> 00:31:51,320 they gave him audience until this word, then lifted up their 456 00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:54,000 voices said away with such a fellow from the earth. 457 00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:55,600 But it's not fit that he should live. 458 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:58,240 Let's kill him. And as they cried out, cast up 459 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:00,880 their clothes and threw dust in the air, the chief captain 460 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:04,120 commanded him to be brought into the castle, bade that he should 461 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:08,280 be examined by scourging, that he might know why they why 462 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:11,120 they're carrying on as they bound him with thongs. 463 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:13,600 Paul said under the centurion that stood by. 464 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:15,600 You can imagine how Paul said this. 465 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:19,080 By the way, you know I'm a Roman. 466 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:26,000 What, because it was against the law to be even be bound by as a 467 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:29,440 Roman without a trial, and then to be whipped by a Roman? 468 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:32,040 Whoa, that's bad news. You couldn't do that. 469 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:36,680 Paul makes known I am a Roman citizen. 470 00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:40,560 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief 471 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:42,520 captain saying, take heed what you do. 472 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:46,600 Hey, this guy's a Roman. And the chief captain came and 473 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:48,480 said to him, tell me you a Roman? 474 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:52,480 Are you are you a Roman? He said yes. 475 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:55,520 And the chief captain answered, well, with a great son like 476 00:32:55,520 --> 00:33:00,440 imagine him stuttering. I obtained this freedom and Paul 477 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:06,560 said I was freeborn. Wow, that means it's his parents 478 00:33:06,560 --> 00:33:10,000 had earned something from Rome for them to be made Roman 479 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:14,080 citizens and straight away they departed from him, which should 480 00:33:14,080 --> 00:33:17,000 have examined him. And the chief captain also was 481 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:20,760 afraid after he knew that he was a Roman because he had bound him 482 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:23,840 and on the Morrow because he would have known the certainty 483 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:29,680 wherefore he was accused of the Jews found in his bands command 484 00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:32,520 the chief priests and all the council to appear brought Paul 485 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,240 down sitting before them he says, well, this is your job. 486 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:39,760 That's Part 1, Part 2. We get to on Sunday. 487 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:45,800 What's your testimony? When was the last time you 488 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:49,360 shared with a family member your testimony? 489 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:52,080 I did that with my dad wrote in a letter. 490 00:33:52,560 --> 00:33:55,840 He got saved from that letter. He came to Christ because of 491 00:33:55,840 --> 00:34:00,000 that letter I wrote down as a son to a father. 492 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:04,320 Dad, why don't you know this? I tried talking to him. 493 00:34:04,320 --> 00:34:08,239 It wasn't the right way. What was the last time you sat 494 00:34:08,239 --> 00:34:13,320 down, looked at your daughter or your husband, your mum, dad, 495 00:34:13,320 --> 00:34:17,679 brother, sister, wife in the face and said, I want to tell 496 00:34:17,679 --> 00:34:25,360 you what's happened to me and share the most powerful story of 497 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:31,320 how God changed you. That's why God chose you to be 498 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:38,719 his witness for you to share the most wondrous story of how God 499 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:44,520 change you and he planned a life for you before you were even 500 00:34:45,040 --> 00:34:47,920 born. Father, we thank you for your 501 00:34:47,920 --> 00:34:50,880 word. We ask now for your great grace 502 00:34:50,880 --> 00:34:53,639 and mercy to lead us and guide us. 503 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:58,640 Help us to be witnesses, help us to share our testimony, help us 504 00:34:58,640 --> 00:35:03,440 to to be willing to share it like Paul to share it with 505 00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:06,640 people who perhaps aren't friendly toward us. 506 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:11,760 But Lord, they need to hear. We pray and ask for your grace 507 00:35:11,760 --> 00:35:14,760 and courage to do that. This we pray in Jesus name. 508 00:35:14,800 --> 00:35:18,280 Everyone said Amen, just to know you.