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Persecutor Turned Preacher and Two Converts · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

• 0:00
  We'll begin our worship singing to God's praise in Psalm 29 from the Scottish Psalter.
• 0:06
  Psalm 29, and we're singing verses 1 to 5.
• 0:13
  Psalm 29 from the Scottish Psalter, and we sing verses 1 to 5.
• 0:22
  Give ye unto the Lord, ye sons, that of the mighty be,
• 0:27
  all strength and glory to the Lord with cheerfulness give ye.
• 0:31
  And to the Lord the glory give that to his name is due,
• 0:35
  and in the beauty of holiness unto Jehovah bow.
• 0:39
  The Lord's voice on the waters is the God of majesty.
• 0:43
  Doth thunder, and on multitudes of waters sitteth he.
• 0:48
  A powerful voice it is that comes out from the Lord most high.
• 0:52
  The voice of that great Lord is full of glorious majesty.
• 0:57
  The voice of the Eternal doth asunder cedars tear.
• 1:02
  Ye God the Lord doth cedars break that Lebanon doth bear.
• 1:08
  Psalm 29, verses 1 to 5.
• 1:10
  Give ye unto the Lord, ye sons.
• 1:13
  Give ye unto the Lord, ye sons, that of the mighty be,
• 1:33
  All strength and glory to the Lord with cheerfulness give ye.
• 1:50
  All strength and glory to the Lord with cheerfulness give.
• 1:56
  All strength the Lord with glory give,
• 2:00
  That to his name is due.
• 2:07
  And in the beauty of holiness
• 2:15
  And to Jehovah
• 2:22
  The Lord's white song
• 2:29
  The water's is
• 2:34
  The God of majesty
• 2:40
  Doth thunder and
• 2:46
  On multitudes
• 2:50
  Of water's city
• 2:56
  A powerful voice
• 3:03
  It is that comes
• 3:08
  And from the Lord
• 3:13
  Most high
• 3:16
  The voice of that
• 3:21
  Great Lord is full
• 3:25
  Of glorious majesty
• 3:32
  The voice of the eternal God
• 3:43
  Asunder cedars' hair
• 3:50
  Yea God the Lord
• 3:55
  Does cedars' break
• 4:00
  That Lebanon
• 4:04
  Amen
• 4:06
  Amen
• 4:07
  Amen
• 4:08
  Amen
• 4:09
  Amen
• 4:10
  We're just going to bow in prayer
• 4:11
  I should have intimated that
• 4:12
  I'm sure you're all aware
• 4:13
  That there is
• 4:14
  The Holiday Twinnies
• 4:16
  There is a creche
• 4:17
  Upstairs in the hall
• 4:18
  And the Holiday Twinnies
• 4:20
  For children aged 3 to 7
• 4:22
  Is in the hall as well
• 4:24
  Next door
• 4:25
  Just bow in prayer
• 4:27
  For a moment
• 4:28
  Lord our God
• 4:29
  We give thanks for
• 4:30
  Another day
• 4:31
  Where we can worship you
• 4:32
  Although it is a wild day today
• 4:35
  We're conscious that
• 4:36
  You are the God
• 4:38
  That rules over the calm
• 4:40
  And over the storms
• 4:41
  And so we pray
• 4:42
  That we may rest in you
• 4:44
  And to trust in you
• 4:45
  With all our heart
• 4:47
  We pray Lord
• 4:48
  That you will bless us
• 4:49
  At this holiday time
• 4:50
  As people are away
• 4:52
  We pray your blessing on them
• 4:54
  When they're on holiday
• 4:55
  And we pray for those
• 4:57
  Who are here on holiday
• 4:58
  May be catching up
• 5:00
  With friends and family
• 5:02
  We give thanks Lord
• 5:03
  For these times
• 5:05
  And we know that
• 5:06
  You are the God
• 5:07
  Who wants us to
• 5:09
  Come apart
• 5:09
  And to rest a while
• 5:11
  And these times
• 5:12
  Are good for us
• 5:13
  And so we pray
• 5:15
  That you'll bless us
• 5:15
  Bless each and every
• 5:17
  One of us today
• 5:18
  But above all
• 5:19
  That we may
• 5:20
  Look to you
• 5:21
  Trust in you
• 5:22
  Believe in you
• 5:23
  And come to know you
• 5:24
  As Lord and Saviour
• 5:26
  Watch over us
• 5:27
  Then we pray
• 5:28
  And keep us
• 5:29
  Ever looking to yourself
• 5:31
  And forgive us
• 5:32
  Our sin
• 5:33
  In Jesus name
• 5:33
  We ask it
• 5:34
  Amen
• 5:35
  And just a
• 5:38
  We word to
• 5:39
  The young folk
• 5:40
  Just as you know
• 5:44
  The holidays are on
• 5:45
  Just now
• 5:45
  And I don't know
• 5:46
  Whether it was
• 5:47
  In all the schools
• 5:48
  But just before
• 5:49
  The holidays
• 5:50
  Joshua
• 5:51
  Got a report
• 5:53
  A report card
• 5:54
  Or a
• 5:55
  Report sheet
• 5:56
  As to how he was doing
• 5:58
  And it got me
• 5:59
  Thinking back
• 6:00
  Myself to these
• 6:02
  Awful times
• 6:03
  When you used to get
• 6:05
  A report card
• 6:06
  And I was
• 6:09
  I suppose
• 6:10
  The teachers
• 6:12
  You always feel that
• 6:14
  They have all the power
• 6:15
  And they tell
• 6:17
  Your parents
• 6:18
  How you're doing
• 6:19
  In your reading
• 6:20
  In your writing
• 6:21
  In your maths
• 6:23
  And you know
• 6:24
  When you get into secondary
• 6:25
  How you're doing
• 6:26
  Whether it's physics
• 6:27
  Or chemistry
• 6:29
  Or all the different subjects
• 6:30
  How you're doing
• 6:31
  And then at the end
• 6:33
  They kind of
• 6:34
  Tell what they think
• 6:36
  Of how you're doing
• 6:38
  Or what you should be doing
• 6:40
  And
• 6:41
  I remember one year
• 6:44
  I was about ten at the time
• 6:46
  And the report was not good
• 6:48
  And there was nothing about it
• 6:50
  That was good
• 6:51
  And I was wishing
• 6:53
  That someone would
• 6:54
  Pinch my school bag
• 6:55
  Because I didn't want
• 6:56
  To go home
• 6:57
  With a report
• 6:58
  Or that
• 6:59
  That I could some way
• 7:00
  Lose my bag
• 7:01
  In fact
• 7:02
  I actually remember
• 7:03
  On the way home
• 7:04
  Taking the report out
• 7:05
  And holding it
• 7:06
  Hoping the wind
• 7:06
  Would blow it away
• 7:07
  But it didn't
• 7:08
  And
• 7:10
  My parents
• 7:11
  Weren't best pleased
• 7:12
  Particularly my mum
• 7:13
  Was always
• 7:14
  Trying to push me
• 7:15
  And I was
• 7:15
  I actually
• 7:16
  Wasn't very good
• 7:18
  At that sort of thing
• 7:19
  It's funny
• 7:20
  I met
• 7:21
  Someone
• 7:22
  For a wee while
• 7:22
  Way back in the day
• 7:23
  I was teaching
• 7:24
  For a while
• 7:25
  And I met somebody
• 7:26
  Very well known
• 7:26
  In this town
• 7:27
  Who said to me
• 7:28
  Hey
• 7:29
  I've got a bone
• 7:30
  To pick with you
• 7:31
  He said
• 7:32
  I was clearing out stuff
• 7:33
  And I found
• 7:33
  An old report card
• 7:35
  You gave me
• 7:35
  And you put in it
• 7:37
  Could be doing much better
• 7:39
  But too interested
• 7:40
  In what other people
• 7:41
  Are doing
• 7:42
  And I
• 7:44
  Well
• 7:45
  I said
• 7:45
  It must have been through
• 7:47
  If I wrote that
• 7:48
  You can ask me afterwards
• 7:49
  Who it is
• 7:49
  I don't want to say
• 7:50
  Just now
• 7:51
  But the thing is
• 7:52
  We could all
• 7:54
  Make out reports
• 7:55
  I would hate
• 7:56
  If you were to make
• 7:57
  A report
• 7:57
  On my sermon today
• 7:59
  If you started
• 8:01
  Making a report
• 8:02
  About your mums
• 8:03
  Your dads
• 8:04
  Your brothers
• 8:04
  Your sisters
• 8:05
  How would you do
• 8:06
  A report about yourself
• 8:08
  But you know
• 8:10
  In a sense
• 8:11
  God
• 8:12
  Is doing a report
• 8:13
  On us as well
• 8:14
  Because he's taking
• 8:16
  Note of everything
• 8:17
  Not only that we do
• 8:19
  And everything we say
• 8:21
  But even everything
• 8:23
  That we think
• 8:24
  And you know
• 8:26
  You say to yourself
• 8:27
  Oh my word
• 8:28
  Because the bible
• 8:29
  Tells us
• 8:30
  That there's going to
• 8:31
  Come a day
• 8:31
  When we
• 8:31
  When we've all
• 8:33
  Got to go
• 8:33
  Before the lord
• 8:34
  And we're told
• 8:36
  We have to give
• 8:36
  An account
• 8:37
  To explain
• 8:38
  What we've done
• 8:39
  In this world
• 8:39
  Whether good or bad
• 8:41
  And that's why
• 8:44
  Jesus has come
• 8:45
  He's come into the world
• 8:47
  To make our report
• 8:48
  Good
• 8:49
  Because do you know
• 8:51
  What he does
• 8:51
  When we
• 8:52
  Trust Jesus
• 8:53
  Believe in him
• 8:54
  Love him
• 8:55
  Obey him
• 8:56
  Follow him
• 8:57
  He wipes away
• 8:59
  Everything bad
• 9:00
  From our report
• 9:01
  And he stands
• 9:03
  In our place
• 9:03
  And it's the most
• 9:06
  Wonderful thing
• 9:07
  And that's why
• 9:08
  It's so important
• 9:09
  That we ask Jesus
• 9:12
  To come into our heart
• 9:13
  And into our life
• 9:15
  And I know some of you
• 9:17
  Have done that
• 9:18
  I would pray that
• 9:19
  All of you
• 9:20
  Do that
• 9:21
  So that you will know
• 9:22
  The wonderful cleaning
• 9:24
  Of what Jesus
• 9:26
  Does for us
• 9:27
  We're going to say
• 9:28
  The lord's prayer
• 9:29
  Our father
• 9:31
  Which art in heaven
• 9:32
  Hallowed be thy name
• 9:34
  Thy kingdom come
• 9:35
  Thy will be done
• 9:37
  On earth
• 9:37
  As it is in heaven
• 9:39
  Give us this day
• 9:40
  Our daily bread
• 9:42
  And forgive us
• 9:43
  Our debts
• 9:44
  As we forgive
• 9:45
  Our debtors
• 9:46
  And lead us
• 9:47
  Not into temptation
• 9:48
  But deliver us
• 9:50
  From evil
• 9:51
  For thine is the kingdom
• 9:52
  The power
• 9:54
  And the glory
• 9:55
  Forever
• 9:55
  Amen
• 9:56
  We're going to sing
• 9:58
  Again now
• 9:59
  From the second psalm
• 10:00
  Psalm number two
• 10:01
  And this is in
• 10:02
  Sing Psalms
• 10:03
  Verses six to the end
• 10:05
  Psalm two
• 10:08
  From verse six
• 10:09
  To the end
• 10:11
  The lord has made it
• 10:15
  Known to them
• 10:16
  My chosen king
• 10:18
  I have installed
• 10:19
  On Zion
• 10:20
  My own holy hill
• 10:21
  He is the one
• 10:22
  Whom I have called
• 10:23
  The king then
• 10:25
  Solemnly declares
• 10:26
  I will proclaim
• 10:27
  The lord's decree
• 10:28
  Today your father
• 10:30
  I become
• 10:31
  You are my son
• 10:32
  He said to me
• 10:33
  Ask me
• 10:35
  And for your heritage
• 10:36
  I'll give you nations
• 10:37
  Near and far
• 10:38
  You'll break them
• 10:40
  With an iron rod
• 10:41
  And smash them
• 10:42
  Like a potter's jar
• 10:43
  Now therefore
• 10:45
  Kings
• 10:45
  Through wisdom find
• 10:47
  You judges of the earth
• 10:49
  Give ear
• 10:49
  With reverence
• 10:51
  Come and serve the lord
• 10:52
  Bow down with joy
• 10:54
  And trembling fear
• 10:55
  Pay homage
• 10:56
  To the royal son
• 10:57
  Lest you in wrath
• 10:59
  A side are thrust
• 11:00
  For swiftly can his anger blaze
• 11:03
  Blessed are all
• 11:05
  Who in him trust
• 11:07
  Psalm two
• 11:08
  From six to the end
• 11:09
  And sing psalms
• 11:10
  The lord has made it
• 11:12
  Known to them
• 11:13
  The lord has made it
• 11:22
  Known to them
• 11:24
  My chosen king
• 11:27
  I have installed
• 11:31
  On Zion
• 11:34
  My own holy hill
• 11:39
  He is the one
• 11:43
  Whom I have called
• 11:48
  The king then solemnly declares
• 11:56
  I will proclaim
• 11:59
  The lord's decree
• 12:03
  Today your father
• 12:08
  I've become
• 12:11
  You are my son
• 12:15
  He said to me
• 12:20
  Ask me
• 12:23
  Ask me
• 12:23
  And for your heritage
• 12:28
  I'll give you nations
• 12:33
  Near and far
• 12:37
  You'll break them with an iron rod
• 12:45
  And smash them like
• 12:49
  A potter's jar
• 12:54
  Now therefore
• 12:57
  Kings
• 12:58
  True wisdom
• 13:01
  Find
• 13:02
  You judges
• 13:05
  Of the earth
• 13:08
  Give ear
• 13:10
  With reverence
• 13:12
  With reverence
• 13:14
  Come and serve the lord
• 13:18
  Bow down with joy
• 13:22
  And trembling fear
• 13:27
  Pay homage to the royal son
• 13:32
  To the royal son
• 13:36
  Blessed you in wrath
• 13:40
  As I do
• 13:43
  For swiftly can his anger blaze
• 13:53
  Blessed are all
• 13:55
  Blessed are all
• 13:57
  Who in him trust
• 14:02
  Let us again bow in prayer
• 14:08
  Lord as we come before you
• 14:11
  The mighty and glorious God
• 14:13
  We pray that we will come with a sense of
• 14:16
  Through reverence and godly fear
• 14:19
  We are in the presence of the almighty
• 14:22
  The creator of heaven and earth
• 14:25
  The one with whom we have to do
• 14:27
  The one that one day we all have to give an account of
• 14:32
  What we have done here whether good or bad
• 14:34
  We pray that you will help us as we worship you today
• 14:40
  We pray that you will help us in all that we are about throughout the week
• 14:44
  We give thanks that we are able to depend upon you
• 14:47
  And we pray for a growing sense of trust in you
• 14:50
  Because so often we do lean on our own understanding
• 14:54
  Rather than trusting you
• 14:56
  So we pray that you will grant us the faith every day to live by faith
• 15:01
  So often we are wrapped up in ourselves
• 15:05
  And we forget that so often there is a bigger picture
• 15:09
  Help us Lord to have visionary eyes
• 15:12
  That may see beyond ourselves
• 15:15
  And to understand so often Lord
• 15:17
  That when you work
• 15:19
  You work often through us
• 15:21
  In ways that we don't understand
• 15:23
  So grant us patience in the face of your providence
• 15:27
  And grant us faith as we journey
• 15:30
  At every step
• 15:32
  We pray Lord that you will bless us all here today
• 15:36
  With all our different needs
• 15:38
  We ask Lord that you will keep us safe
• 15:40
  And that you will bless us
• 15:42
  That you will bless us in our homes
• 15:44
  And bless us in our families
• 15:46
  Lord we pray for all those who are unwell
• 15:48
  Just now we are so conscious
• 15:50
  That there are so many who are in need
• 15:52
  And we ask your blessing upon them
• 15:54
  We pray for healing
• 15:56
  And we pray for help
• 15:58
  We pray for strength and for grace
• 16:00
  And we realise that when our world changes
• 16:04
  So often with illness
• 16:06
  That it has a huge impact upon everybody
• 16:08
  And so we ask that your grace will be sufficient
• 16:12
  We give thanks for the promise of sufficiency of grace
• 16:16
  And we pray that that might be laid upon
• 16:20
  And that your people will all be blessed
• 16:22
  We pray your blessing of those who mourn
• 16:26
  And whose hearts are heavy and sore
• 16:28
  And we are conscious Lord that death
• 16:30
  Death changes everything for our family
• 16:32
  And even although the days may have moved on
• 16:36
  In many ways
• 16:38
  Family does not move on
• 16:40
  There is a remaining settled sore
• 16:42
  And so we pray that you will
• 16:44
  Be with every broken heart today
• 16:46
  And everybody who is feeling the pain and the sorrow
• 16:50
  And the grief that comes
• 16:52
  Through the loss of loved ones
• 16:54
  Lord we pray for us
• 16:56
  In all the different situations we confront
• 16:58
  In every relationship that we are in
• 17:00
  Whether these are in family
• 17:02
  Or whether they are church relationships
• 17:05
  Or work relationships
• 17:07
  Or community relationships
• 17:09
  And whatever it is Lord
• 17:11
  We pray to help us
• 17:12
  And to bless us
• 17:13
  And to guide us
• 17:14
  And to uphold us
• 17:15
  Help us to be good witnesses
• 17:17
  In a world where
• 17:19
  We have always got to remember
• 17:20
  That we are as your word says
• 17:22
  Living epistles
• 17:23
  Read by people
• 17:25
  And we pray that
• 17:27
  Our witness might be a good one
• 17:29
  And forgive us Lord
• 17:30
  For when we let you down
• 17:32
  So often by what we say
• 17:33
  And what we do
• 17:34
  And we forget a watching world
• 17:37
  That are taking note
• 17:38
  And often assessing
• 17:40
  And making a judgement
• 17:41
  As to who Christ is
• 17:42
  By the way we live
• 17:44
  And so we pray that we might
• 17:46
  Live worthy of the high calling
• 17:48
  To which we have been called
• 17:49
  We pray that you will bless
• 17:52
  This congregation
• 17:53
  And we ask that you will be with
• 17:55
  James and with Donna
• 17:56
  We pray that everything will have gone well
• 17:59
  And that as she has returned home
• 18:04
  And that she will regain strength again
• 18:06
  We pray to be with her
• 18:08
  And we pray that Lord
• 18:09
  That you will be with James
• 18:11
  As he approaches the final time
• 18:14
  Of his ministry here
• 18:15
  And we realise what a huge loss
• 18:18
  It is going to be for us
• 18:20
  So we pray that you will sustain him
• 18:21
  And bless him
• 18:22
  And that he will know the power
• 18:24
  Of your spirit ministering in him
• 18:26
  In these days
• 18:27
  We pray for Calamurdo and Joan
• 18:29
  As they are awake just now
• 18:31
  And we ask your blessing upon them
• 18:33
  And we pray for everybody
• 18:35
  Who works here in this congregation
• 18:36
  So much is done
• 18:38
  So much is done
• 18:39
  Often that isn't
• 18:40
  Maybe recognised and realised
• 18:42
  By so many
• 18:43
  But there are so many things that are done
• 18:46
  But nothing is hidden from your eye
• 18:49
  And you take note of every single thing
• 18:51
  That is done in your name
• 18:52
  And we know Lord
• 18:54
  That each thing that is done by faith
• 18:57
  In your name will receive its own reward
• 19:00
  And so we pray to encourage your people
• 19:03
  And be with them
• 19:04
  In a day where there is so much to discourage us
• 19:07
  We live in a day where there is a growing oppression
• 19:10
  Towards the cause of Christ
• 19:12
  We pray Lord
• 19:13
  That you will overturn every attempt that is made
• 19:16
  With regard to the legislation for this conversion therapy
• 19:21
  And that people will be brought to realise
• 19:24
  That it's an encroachment really upon the freedoms of the Gospel
• 19:28
  O Lord our God
• 19:30
  We pray for liberty for our nation
• 19:33
  Gospel liberty
• 19:34
  Gospel freedoms
• 19:35
  Maybe we have taken all these blessings for granted for too long
• 19:40
  And we pray then that you will keep us
• 19:42
  Always having this freedom
• 19:44
  Gospel freedoms
• 19:45
  We pray then for our politicians
• 19:48
  Whether they are in Westminster or in Holyrood
• 19:52
  We ask Lord that you will guide them from on high
• 19:55
  Not according to their own earthly wisdom
• 19:57
  But that even despite themselves
• 20:01
  Despite maybe their ignorance of the truth
• 20:04
  Or their opposition to the truth
• 20:06
  That you will still influence them
• 20:08
  Because the King's heart is in the hand of the Lord
• 20:11
  And he is able to turn it whichever way he will
• 20:15
  We pray for our royal family
• 20:17
  And ask your blessing upon them at this time
• 20:19
  Where there is illness
• 20:21
  And we pray for healing
• 20:22
  We pray your blessing upon our local council
• 20:25
  Our council and our councillors
• 20:26
  We ask to bless them
• 20:28
  And we pray that you will be with all
• 20:31
  Who are places of responsibility in our land
• 20:34
  And grant them wisdom
• 20:36
  That we may indeed be able to enjoy
• 20:40
  Gospel freedoms and gospel blessings
• 20:42
  We pray your blessing upon Muriel
• 20:45
  And we give thanks Lord for her coming home
• 20:48
  And to grant her safety and health and strength
• 20:52
  We pray your blessing upon all who serve you
• 20:55
  In different countries
• 20:57
  And ask Lord that you will encourage them
• 20:59
  Maybe through difficult and dark times
• 21:01
  And pray that you will sustain them and keep them
• 21:04
  Particularly when the evil one might be attacking them
• 21:07
  And telling them that their labour is completely in vain
• 21:11
  May they be encouraged in knowing that no labour in the Lord is in vain
• 21:15
  We ask then that you will be with us as we wait upon you
• 21:18
  And pray that you will take away from us our every sin
• 21:22
  In Jesus name we ask it, Amen
• 21:24
  Amen
• 21:26
  We are going to read two sections of God's word
• 21:29
  Both in the book of the Acts of the Apostle
• 21:32
  Chapter 9 first of all
• 21:35
  And we read verses 1 to 15
• 21:38
  Acts 9 verses 1 to 15
• 21:43
  And then in chapter 16
• 21:52
  But Paul still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord
• 21:57
  Went to the high priest
• 21:59
  And asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus
• 22:02
  So that if he found any belonging to the way
• 22:05
  Men or women
• 22:06
  He might bring them bound to Jerusalem
• 22:09
  Now as he went on his way
• 22:12
  He approached Damascus
• 22:14
  And suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him
• 22:17
  And falling to the ground
• 22:19
  He heard a voice saying to him
• 22:20
  Saul, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
• 22:23
  And he said, who are you Lord?
• 22:25
  And he said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting
• 22:29
  But rise and enter the city
• 22:31
  And you will be told what you are to do
• 22:34
  The men who were travelling with him stood speechless
• 22:37
  Hearing the voice but seeing no one
• 22:39
  Saul rose from the ground
• 22:42
  And although his eyes were opened
• 22:45
  Although his eyes were opened
• 22:47
  He saw nothing
• 22:49
  So they led him by the hand
• 22:51
  And brought him into Damascus
• 22:53
  And for three days he was without sight
• 22:55
  And neither ate nor drank
• 22:58
  Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias
• 23:02
  The Lord said to him in a vision
• 23:03
  Ananias
• 23:04
  And he said, here I am Lord
• 23:05
  The Lord said to him
• 23:07
  Rise and go to the street called Straight
• 23:10
  And at the house of Judas
• 23:11
  Look for a man of Tarshish named Saul
• 23:14
  For behold he is praying
• 23:17
  And he has seen in a vision
• 23:18
  A man named Ananias
• 23:19
  Come in and lay his hand on him
• 23:22
  So that he might regain his sight
• 23:25
  But Ananias answered
• 23:26
  Lord I have heard from many about this man
• 23:29
  How much evil he has done
• 23:31
  To your saints of Jerusalem
• 23:34
  And here he has authority
• 23:35
  From the chief priests
• 23:36
  To bind all who call on your name
• 23:39
  But the Lord said to him
• 23:41
  Go for he is a chosen instrument of mine
• 23:45
  To carry my name
• 23:46
  Before the Gentiles and kings
• 23:49
  And the children of Israel
• 23:52
  Then we turn to chapter 16
• 23:54
  And we read from verse 13
• 23:56
  We find Paul and his missionary journeys here
• 24:06
  In verse 13
• 24:08
  Or we can read in verse 12
• 24:12
  And from there to Philippi
• 24:13
  Which is a leading city
• 24:14
  Of the district of Macedonia
• 24:16
  And a Roman colony
• 24:18
  Who remained in this city some days
• 24:20
  And on the Sabbath day
• 24:21
  We went outside the gate to the riverside
• 24:24
  Where we supposed
• 24:25
  There was a place of prayer
• 24:26
  And we sat down
• 24:28
  And spoke to the women
• 24:29
  Who had come together
• 24:31
  One who heard us
• 24:32
  Was a woman named Lydia
• 24:33
  From the city of Thyatira
• 24:36
  A seller of purple goods
• 24:37
  Who was a worshipper of God
• 24:39
  The Lord opened her heart
• 24:42
  To pay attention
• 24:43
  To what was said by Paul
• 24:45
  And after she was baptized
• 24:47
  And her household as well
• 24:49
  She urged us saying
• 24:51
  If you have judged me
• 24:52
  To be faithful to the Lord
• 24:53
  Come to my house
• 24:54
  And stay
• 24:56
  And she prevailed upon us
• 24:58
  As we were going to the place of prayer
• 25:01
  We were met by a slave girl
• 25:02
  Who had a spirit of divination
• 25:04
  And brought her owners much gain
• 25:07
  By fortune telling
• 25:09
  She followed Paul and us
• 25:10
  Crying out
• 25:12
  These men are servants of the Most High God
• 25:14
  Who proclaim to you the way of salvation
• 25:16
  And this she kept doing for many days
• 25:19
  Paul having become greatly annoyed
• 25:22
  Turned and said to the spirit
• 25:23
  I command you
• 25:25
  In the name of Jesus Christ
• 25:26
  To come out of her
• 25:28
  And it came out at that very hour
• 25:30
  And when her owners saw
• 25:32
  That their hope of gain was gone
• 25:34
  They seized Paul and Silas
• 25:35
  And dragged them into the market place
• 25:37
  Before the rulers
• 25:39
  And when they had brought him
• 25:40
  To the magistrates
• 25:41
  He said
• 25:42
  These men are Jews
• 25:44
  And they are disturbing our city
• 25:45
  They advocate customs
• 25:47
  That are not lawful
• 25:49
  For us as Romans
• 25:51
  To accept our practice
• 25:53
  The crowd joined in attacking them
• 25:55
  And the magistrates
• 25:56
  Tore the garments off them
• 25:58
  And gave orders to beat them with rods
• 26:01
  And when they had inflicted many blows upon them
• 26:05
  They threw them into prison
• 26:07
  Ordering the jailer to keep them safely
• 26:09
  Having received his order
• 26:11
  He put them into the inner prison
• 26:12
  And fastened their feet in the stocks
• 26:15
  About midnight
• 26:17
  Paul and Silas were praying
• 26:19
  And singing hymns to God
• 26:20
  And the prisoners were listening to them
• 26:23
  And suddenly there was a great earthquake
• 26:25
  So that the foundation of the prison
• 26:28
  Was shaken
• 26:29
  And immediately all the doors were opened
• 26:31
  And everyone's bonds were unfastened
• 26:33
  When the jailer woke
• 26:35
  And saw the prison doors were open
• 26:37
  He drew out a sword
• 26:38
  And was about to kill himself
• 26:39
  Supposing that the prisoners had escaped
• 26:43
  But Paul cried with a loud voice
• 26:46
  Do not harm yourself
• 26:48
  For we are all here
• 26:50
  And the jailer called for lights
• 26:52
  And rushed in
• 26:53
  And trembling with fear
• 26:55
  He fell down before Paul and Silas
• 26:58
  Then he brought them out and said
• 27:00
  Sir, what must I do to be saved?
• 27:03
  They said, believe in the Lord Jesus
• 27:04
  And you will be saved
• 27:07
  You and your household
• 27:09
  And they spoke the word of the Lord to him
• 27:12
  And all who were in the house
• 27:14
  Amen
• 27:15
  And may God bless to us
• 27:16
  These readings of his own holy word
• 27:18
  We are going to sing again now
• 27:20
  Sing Psalm
• 27:21
  Psalm 46a
• 27:22
  Psalm 46a
• 27:24
  Psalm 46a
• 27:29
  Page 59
• 27:31
  God is our refuge and our strength
• 27:34
  Our ever-present aid
• 27:36
  And therefore though the earth gives way
• 27:38
  We will not be afraid
• 27:40
  Though mountains fall into the sea
• 27:42
  The waters foam and roar
• 27:44
  We will not fear
• 27:46
  Though mountains quake
• 27:47
  As waves engulf the shore
• 27:49
  A river flows
• 27:50
  A river flows whose streams delight
• 27:52
  The city of our God
• 27:54
  The holy place in which the Lord
• 27:56
  Most High
• 27:57
  Has his abode
• 27:59
  To the end of verse 7
• 28:01
  Six stanzas of Psalm 46a
• 28:04
  God is our refuge and our strength
• 28:06
  God is our refuge and our strength
• 28:08
  Our ever-present aid
• 28:11
  God is our refuge and our strength
• 28:16
  Our ever-present aid
• 28:22
  And therefore though the earth gives way
• 28:25
  And therefore though the earth gives way, we will not be afraid.
• 28:42
  Though mountains fall into the sea, though waters fall and roar, we will not fear.
• 29:05
  Though mountains quake as waves in countless shores, a river flows to streams delight,
• 29:27
  the city of our God, the holy place in which the Lord most high has his abode.
• 29:51
  God is within this holy place, the city will not yield.
• 30:09
  For God will come at break of day to be her help and shield.
• 30:27
  The nations are in disarray, the kingdoms disappear.
• 30:43
  God speaks and at his mighty voice, the whole earth melts with fear.
• 31:01
  The Lord Almighty is with us to strengthen and sustain.
• 31:18
  For Jacob's God our strong defence and fortress will remain.
• 31:36
  Amen.
• 32:06
  Probably the greatest missionary that the church has ever known, who was once one of the worst persecutors.
• 32:13
  And then to look at the conversion of two of those who were by this converted missionary,
• 32:20
  had come to faith through his ministry.
• 32:24
  Now as we know, there were few religious people who hated the Lord Jesus Christ,
• 32:30
  quite like the Apostle Paul or Saul of Tarshish as he was then.
• 32:34
  And he was schooled in the ways of the Jewish religion.
• 32:41
  And he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees.
• 32:43
  He was somebody who understood the law at levels that few people could understand.
• 32:49
  He had been taught by the best.
• 32:51
  And he was somebody who prided himself in his knowledge of the truth.
• 32:58
  But it just shows how blinded people can actually be.
• 33:02
  And that's one of the things I would always, why it's so important that when we come to God's word,
• 33:09
  that we come with a prayer in our heart that the Lord will open our eyes to understand, to see.
• 33:16
  And that we be prepared to change preconceived ideas, pre-held ideas, to have them moved.
• 33:26
  Because sometimes we can have our own ideas and we're absolutely passionate and we hold to them.
• 33:32
  And sometimes they're not quite in keeping with God's word.
• 33:35
  So that every time we come to God's word, we have to say to the Lord,
• 33:39
  Lord, make me ready to be changed.
• 33:42
  To change my thinking if that's necessary.
• 33:45
  So that I will actually see and be, so that your word will have an impression and impact upon my heart and my life.
• 33:54
  Because you see, Saul was somebody who studied the word of God.
• 33:58
  But because he had pre-held ideas.
• 34:01
  Because the whole sort of the school of the Judean law, their understanding of who Christ was to be the Messiah when he came.
• 34:13
  Christ didn't fit their picture.
• 34:16
  And so this was a major problem.
• 34:19
  So we've always got to guard against that.
• 34:21
  Well, that was Paul's or Saul's great problem.
• 34:24
  Is that he had his own idea of who the Messiah was.
• 34:28
  Jesus didn't fit it.
• 34:30
  So in his eyes, Jesus was simply an imposter.
• 34:33
  And he couldn't believe that Jesus had the audacity to claim to come from God and to be God.
• 34:41
  Now it's more than likely that Saul actually would have seen Jesus.
• 34:48
  I'm sure he was still alive.
• 34:50
  He would, Saul would have been alive in the time of Christ.
• 34:54
  And it's quite possible that Saul actually heard Jesus.
• 34:59
  But he certainly was somebody who had been involved in the stoning of Stephen.
• 35:04
  They laid their coats.
• 35:06
  Those who were stoning had put them down.
• 35:08
  And Saul saw the face of Stephen shining.
• 35:13
  Where Stephen was given this glimpse into glory of.
• 35:18
  And seeing Jesus standing there.
• 35:20
  And his face was shining.
• 35:22
  That didn't stop them stoning.
• 35:24
  And Saul saw all that.
• 35:27
  And he gave total assent to the stoning of Stephen.
• 35:31
  And there seemed to have been a fire lit in Saul's heart.
• 35:37
  A fire of hatred against everybody who followed the Lord Jesus Christ.
• 35:43
  And he was going to do his utmost to wipe this way that they called it.
• 35:49
  Of the Christian faith.
• 35:51
  To remove it altogether.
• 35:52
  And so when you look at Saul of Tarshish.
• 35:56
  You see somebody and you'd say.
• 35:58
  That's as hard a person.
• 36:00
  As ever will come.
• 36:02
  To faith in Jesus Christ.
• 36:04
  You would write Saul off.
• 36:06
  And say impossible.
• 36:08
  Well.
• 36:11
  We shouldn't write anybody off.
• 36:14
  Because God's grace can go anywhere apart from hell.
• 36:22
  God's grace is not in hell.
• 36:24
  God's grace is all over this world.
• 36:26
  There's this common grace.
• 36:28
  Which everybody receives.
• 36:30
  And we.
• 36:31
  There's so many of the benefits that we receive in life come to us.
• 36:35
  Of course.
• 36:36
  All that's good comes to us from God.
• 36:39
  But God's grace is full of surprises.
• 36:42
  And God works often in what we deem impossible.
• 36:47
  Nothing is impossible with God.
• 36:49
  And right throughout the history of the church down to this day.
• 36:52
  The Lord is saving and bringing in people.
• 36:56
  That we might have written off.
• 36:58
  That we would never believe could ever be Christians.
• 37:00
  So we should never ever put anybody outside in our own thinking.
• 37:05
  The grace of God.
• 37:06
  In fact it's incumbent upon us to be praying for people.
• 37:10
  To pray for.
• 37:12
  If you think of somebody and you say.
• 37:13
  Oh that person will never be a Christian.
• 37:15
  That's all the more reason.
• 37:17
  To start praying for them.
• 37:19
  That they might be awakened.
• 37:21
  And that they might hear the gospel.
• 37:22
  And that they might come to faith.
• 37:24
  Well anyway here's Saul.
• 37:25
  Man on a mission.
• 37:27
  And he has the full backing of all the religious leaders.
• 37:29
  As he's making his way down.
• 37:32
  To cause as much havoc as possible down.
• 37:35
  And he's heading to Damascus.
• 37:37
  And you know it's really sad when you see this.
• 37:40
  That these people the likes of Saul.
• 37:43
  Is actually thinking he's doing God a service.
• 37:46
  He's doing this as a religious man.
• 37:48
  Thinking that he's helping God.
• 37:51
  And right to this very day.
• 37:53
  There are many people being put to death.
• 37:56
  By religions.
• 37:59
  And they're doing it as a service to God.
• 38:03
  In their own thinking.
• 38:05
  And Jesus said that was going to happen.
• 38:07
  He said that Jesus warned.
• 38:10
  And he prophesied.
• 38:11
  That they're going to put you to death.
• 38:13
  And they think that they're doing God a service.
• 38:16
  When they put you to death.
• 38:18
  It's an extraordinary thought.
• 38:20
  Well here's Saul.
• 38:22
  And he's about 150 miles.
• 38:24
  Down from Jerusalem.
• 38:26
  And then all of a sudden.
• 38:28
  This incredible blinding light.
• 38:30
  As he describes later on.
• 38:32
  Brighter than the midday sun.
• 38:35
  And it shone down upon him.
• 38:37
  And it blinded him completely.
• 38:40
  And he couldn't see anything.
• 38:42
  And he fell to the ground.
• 38:44
  And you know it's interesting.
• 38:46
  That this is always the impact.
• 38:48
  The effect.
• 38:50
  Of the glory.
• 38:52
  Of the Lord.
• 38:53
  On anybody.
• 38:54
  When Jesus was here in this world.
• 38:57
  We know he was here in the human nature.
• 39:01
  And it was as all the glory that belonged to him.
• 39:05
  As the divine was eclipsed.
• 39:09
  And people just saw the man.
• 39:12
  But there were moments.
• 39:14
  When something of the glory.
• 39:16
  Would come through.
• 39:17
  Like at the transfiguration.
• 39:19
  When they came to arrest Jesus.
• 39:21
  Who are you seeking?
• 39:23
  Jesus of Nazareth.
• 39:24
  I.
• 39:25
  He says.
• 39:26
  I am.
• 39:27
  I am he.
• 39:28
  What happened?
• 39:29
  They all fell to the ground.
• 39:30
  They couldn't stand.
• 39:31
  Before the glory.
• 39:32
  That was revealed.
• 39:33
  Just for a moment.
• 39:34
  It was too great.
• 39:35
  Fell down.
• 39:36
  You see.
• 39:38
  Ezekiel.
• 39:39
  When he's given that vision.
• 39:41
  He falls to the ground.
• 39:42
  You see it at the time.
• 39:44
  Of the dedication.
• 39:45
  Of the temple.
• 39:46
  In the time of Solomon.
• 39:48
  They couldn't stand.
• 39:49
  In the presence.
• 39:50
  Of the glory of the Lord.
• 39:52
  You see John.
• 39:53
  In the book of Revelation.
• 39:55
  He falls as one dead.
• 39:57
  At the display.
• 39:58
  Of the glory of Jesus.
• 40:00
  This is the risen Jesus.
• 40:02
  And so.
• 40:03
  This is what happens to Saul.
• 40:05
  The Lord gives.
• 40:06
  A revelation of himself.
• 40:07
  To him.
• 40:08
  He falls down.
• 40:09
  Just.
• 40:10
  Just in a heap.
• 40:11
  And that's the glory.
• 40:14
  Before.
• 40:15
  Whom we have all to appear.
• 40:17
  It is before the risen Jesus.
• 40:19
  That is where the judgment seat.
• 40:21
  Will take place.
• 40:22
  Many people think of Jesus.
• 40:25
  Simply as the human Jesus.
• 40:26
  Well he still is the human Jesus.
• 40:28
  The human nature.
• 40:29
  He took.
• 40:30
  He has forever.
• 40:31
  He continues to have.
• 40:32
  But it is now.
• 40:33
  In all the glory.
• 40:34
  That he has sworn.
• 40:36
  And it is this glory.
• 40:38
  That no human.
• 40:39
  Can stand before.
• 40:41
  And that's why.
• 40:42
  We're told in Philippians.
• 40:43
  That before him.
• 40:45
  Every knee.
• 40:46
  Will bow.
• 40:47
  And every tongue.
• 40:49
  Will confess.
• 40:50
  That Jesus Christ.
• 40:52
  Is Lord.
• 40:53
  To the glory of God.
• 40:54
  The Father.
• 40:55
  No atheists.
• 40:57
  No agnostics.
• 40:58
  No mockers.
• 40:59
  No scoffers.
• 41:00
  No.
• 41:01
  No infidels.
• 41:02
  No infidels.
• 41:03
  On that day.
• 41:04
  All with one accord.
• 41:05
  Will acknowledge.
• 41:06
  That Christ.
• 41:07
  Is Lord.
• 41:08
  It's a very very.
• 41:10
  Very solemn thought.
• 41:11
  Well we see here.
• 41:13
  That.
• 41:14
  Saul.
• 41:15
  Is absolutely.
• 41:17
  Overcome.
• 41:18
  By the.
• 41:19
  The presence.
• 41:20
  And the power.
• 41:21
  And then this voice.
• 41:22
  Says.
• 41:23
  Saul.
• 41:24
  Why are you persecuting me?
• 41:26
  You see.
• 41:27
  Every blow.
• 41:28
  That is struck.
• 41:29
  Against the follower.
• 41:30
  Of Christ.
• 41:31
  Is felt.
• 41:32
  By.
• 41:33
  By Jesus.
• 41:34
  Because he's head.
• 41:35
  Of the church.
• 41:36
  You know.
• 41:37
  When you get hit.
• 41:38
  And you're.
• 41:39
  In any way.
• 41:40
  Yes.
• 41:41
  It is where you get hit.
• 41:42
  That hurts the most.
• 41:43
  But you feel.
• 41:44
  Your whole.
• 41:45
  Being feels it.
• 41:46
  Well the Lord.
• 41:47
  Is showing us here.
• 41:48
  That.
• 41:49
  Every blow.
• 41:50
  That is hit.
• 41:51
  Christian.
• 41:52
  Is felt.
• 41:53
  By him.
• 41:54
  As well.
• 41:55
  Now.
• 41:56
  There are so.
• 41:57
  Many things.
• 41:58
  That we could say.
• 41:59
  Here.
• 42:00
  But.
• 42:01
  Because we're going to.
• 42:02
  Move on.
• 42:03
  Very quickly.
• 42:04
  But.
• 42:05
  Just that we see.
• 42:06
  Here.
• 42:07
  As.
• 42:08
  That.
• 42:09
  Saul.
• 42:10
  As he goes along.
• 42:11
  As he goes along.
• 42:12
  Two or three things.
• 42:13
  That.
• 42:14
  That has happened here.
• 42:15
  Saul.
• 42:16
  Tells us.
• 42:17
  Later on.
• 42:18
  That he was.
• 42:19
  Apprehended.
• 42:20
  By Christ.
• 42:21
  Christ.
• 42:22
  Christ.
• 42:23
  He was on his way.
• 42:24
  To persecute Christians.
• 42:25
  And all of a sudden.
• 42:26
  The one who was on his way.
• 42:27
  To arrest.
• 42:28
  Christians.
• 42:29
  Is arrested.
• 42:30
  By Christ.
• 42:31
  Christ.
• 42:32
  Stops him.
• 42:33
  In his tracks.
• 42:34
  He's apprehended.
• 42:35
  By Christ.
• 42:36
  Wonder if.
• 42:37
  Anybody here.
• 42:38
  Can experience.
• 42:39
  Know something.
• 42:40
  Of that experience.
• 42:41
  Maybe your conversion.
• 42:44
  Is such.
• 42:45
  That you know.
• 42:46
  Of how you were going.
• 42:47
  In one direction.
• 42:48
  And then all of a sudden.
• 42:49
  You were stopped.
• 42:50
  You were stopped.
• 42:51
  In your tracks.
• 42:52
  And you knew.
• 42:53
  That a power.
• 42:54
  Greater than your own.
• 42:55
  Was working in you.
• 42:57
  That was the beginning of it.
• 42:59
  Well that's how it was.
• 43:00
  With.
• 43:01
  With.
• 43:02
  With Saul.
• 43:03
  He was.
• 43:04
  He was.
• 43:05
  Arrest.
• 43:06
  And then.
• 43:07
  Side by side.
• 43:08
  With that.
• 43:09
  There was a.
• 43:10
  There was this light.
• 43:11
  This divine illumination.
• 43:13
  This light shone.
• 43:15
  Now immediately.
• 43:16
  I don't believe.
• 43:17
  That right away.
• 43:18
  That there was a.
• 43:19
  That immediately.
• 43:20
  Saul came to immediate faith.
• 43:23
  In Jesus.
• 43:25
  But he was completely.
• 43:27
  Thrown.
• 43:28
  And the work had started.
• 43:30
  This.
• 43:31
  This light.
• 43:33
  That blinded in.
• 43:35
  On him.
• 43:36
  It's extraordinary.
• 43:37
  How here's Saul.
• 43:38
  Who was thundering down.
• 43:39
  Into Damascus.
• 43:40
  With fire.
• 43:41
  Breathing fire.
• 43:43
  He's actually led.
• 43:45
  Blind.
• 43:46
  By other people.
• 43:48
  Into Damascus.
• 43:49
  Just shows what God can do.
• 43:51
  Just like that.
• 43:52
  But God is at work.
• 43:54
  In Saul.
• 43:55
  And he tells us again.
• 43:56
  Of this light.
• 43:57
  That there was this divine.
• 43:58
  And.
• 43:59
  In a way.
• 44:00
  In a way.
• 44:01
  And I'm sure.
• 44:02
  I'm sure the Christians.
• 44:03
  In Damascus.
• 44:04
  When they heard the news.
• 44:05
  They're coming down.
• 44:06
  To create havoc.
• 44:07
  To put us to death.
• 44:08
  To take us to prison.
• 44:09
  To take us to prison.
• 44:10
  They'd be praying.
• 44:12
  Chief.
• 44:13
  Persecator Saul.
• 44:14
  How are we going to be saved from him?
• 44:16
  And if they had looked.
• 44:19
  At Saul.
• 44:20
  is divine illumination.
• 44:23
  As he says elsewhere,
• 44:25
  God commanded light to shine out of darkness
• 44:28
  and he has shone light into our hearts.
• 44:32
  Just as at the very beginning when God said
• 44:34
  into the darkness, let there be light.
• 44:38
  So he continues to do so.
• 44:40
  Let there be light.
• 44:42
  And we need that light.
• 44:45
  Because you know, when that light comes from the Lord,
• 44:48
  all of a sudden things begin to make sense.
• 44:51
  You might be sitting in church week in, week out.
• 44:54
  And it's alright you come and it's great you come.
• 44:57
  But there's a lot of things that just don't make sense.
• 45:00
  And you're saying,
• 45:00
  I wish I could just get the hold of this properly.
• 45:05
  I'm figuring out quite a bit of it,
• 45:06
  but I feel a lot just drifting by.
• 45:11
  What you need is this light.
• 45:14
  This illuminating light.
• 45:15
  where your mind is opened up.
• 45:20
  Where everything begins to make perfect sense.
• 45:24
  And you say,
• 45:25
  Lord, now I see.
• 45:26
  Yes, it's so clear.
• 45:28
  It's so obvious.
• 45:31
  Well, that's what happened with Saul.
• 45:33
  He had been in darkness.
• 45:35
  A darkness that was satanic,
• 45:38
  but a darkness of the blindness of his own heart.
• 45:41
  A blindness,
• 45:43
  and I don't believe for one moment
• 45:45
  that Saul didn't have moments of doubt in his own mind.
• 45:49
  He had seen Stephen in his death.
• 45:52
  He had heard testimonies from other Christians.
• 45:55
  He was fighting.
• 45:56
  He was an angry man.
• 45:58
  Do you know,
• 45:58
  some of the most angry men
• 45:59
  and angry women
• 46:01
  are because there's so much
• 46:04
  that they're battling with within themselves.
• 46:07
  Sometimes that anger spills out
• 46:09
  because they're angry
• 46:11
  at what's going on within themselves.
• 46:13
  They want to believe one thing,
• 46:14
  but there's something that's going against.
• 46:19
  Well, anyway, this light came in.
• 46:22
  And the other thing that Paul tells us
• 46:24
  that God's grace was in abundance.
• 46:26
  That's another thing that's happened.
• 46:28
  God's grace.
• 46:30
  And God's grace enables a person.
• 46:32
  It's like the final part of the jigsaw.
• 46:34
  So the most important part
• 46:37
  is where the will is broken,
• 46:40
  where we hand over to the Lord.
• 46:43
  That's the hardest part.
• 46:45
  If you're today here
• 46:46
  and you're not a Christian,
• 46:47
  that's the hard part, isn't it?
• 46:48
  Giving up.
• 46:50
  Because we want to be in control.
• 46:52
  We want to go where we want to go.
• 46:54
  We want to do what we want to do.
• 46:55
  We want to say what we want.
• 46:57
  We want to be masters.
• 46:58
  There's a control freak.
• 47:00
  You hear the word?
• 47:01
  He's a control freak.
• 47:03
  She's a control freak.
• 47:04
  We're all control freaks by nature.
• 47:07
  We want to be in charge of our lives.
• 47:11
  It's the hardest thing to give up.
• 47:13
  But we have to.
• 47:15
  For Christ to be ruler and master.
• 47:20
  And Paul discovered that.
• 47:22
  He had to let go.
• 47:23
  He had to yield.
• 47:26
  And that's what God's grace enables us to do.
• 47:28
  To give up the last thing
• 47:31
  that we want to give up.
• 47:34
  And so we find this.
• 47:36
  That this is a changed man.
• 47:38
  And he's a man now on a different mission.
• 47:40
  He was on a man on a mission before.
• 47:42
  Going to have to race on
• 47:43
  because the time is going.
• 47:45
  We're just skipping on.
• 47:46
  And then we find by God's grace
• 47:47
  that Paul becomes,
• 47:49
  names changed to Paul,
• 47:50
  becomes his missionary.
• 47:52
  And a great New Testament missionary.
• 47:54
  He goes down into Philippi.
• 47:56
  And we find there in chapter 16
• 47:59
  that on the Sabbath day,
• 48:01
  they make their way to the riverside
• 48:03
  where there's a group of women praying.
• 48:06
  It would appear that in Philippi,
• 48:08
  there weren't enough.
• 48:09
  Apparently, you had to have 10 men,
• 48:11
  10 Jews.
• 48:13
  You had to have a quorum of 10
• 48:15
  to start a synagogue.
• 48:16
  Well, it would look like
• 48:18
  there wasn't sufficient.
• 48:21
  There weren't 10,
• 48:23
  sort of what you would say,
• 48:24
  religious Jews there to start on.
• 48:26
  So there was this meeting
• 48:27
  by the riverside,
• 48:28
  a woman who had come together.
• 48:30
  And Paul went there
• 48:31
  and he spoke to them
• 48:32
  and he shared the gospel.
• 48:34
  And amongst the women there,
• 48:36
  there was this lady, Lydia.
• 48:39
  And she was from this place,
• 48:43
  Thyatira.
• 48:45
  And she was obviously doing very well.
• 48:47
  Thyatira apparently was known
• 48:49
  for its dyes,
• 48:51
  for dyeing,
• 48:53
  coloring different things.
• 48:54
  And she was a seller of purple,
• 48:56
  which was probably dyed in purple
• 49:00
  and probably doing very well.
• 49:02
  And it would appear
• 49:03
  that she was a very sincere
• 49:05
  and genuine woman,
• 49:06
  a religious woman,
• 49:08
  a woman who seemed to have
• 49:09
  kind of embraced
• 49:10
  the Jewish faith
• 49:13
  and was a sincere
• 49:14
  and genuine worshiper of God,
• 49:17
  but didn't have Christ.
• 49:20
  It was all on an outward.
• 49:22
  And you know,
• 49:22
  there's a lot of people like that.
• 49:24
  There's a lot of religious people,
• 49:27
  even within the Christian church.
• 49:29
  But everything is outward.
• 49:31
  And they believe in God
• 49:34
  and they come to worship God
• 49:36
  and their worship is sincere.
• 49:40
  But you know,
• 49:42
  it's not there.
• 49:43
  It's not there yet.
• 49:44
  It's not hard.
• 49:46
  They've got to get beyond.
• 49:49
  Well, that Lord's Day morning,
• 49:51
  that's what happened with Lydia.
• 49:53
  She was a good woman,
• 49:55
  a sincere woman,
• 49:56
  a genuine woman,
• 49:57
  a woman who worshipped God
• 49:59
  and served God
• 50:00
  in her own way,
• 50:01
  but her heart hadn't been changed.
• 50:05
  Her heart hadn't been touched.
• 50:06
  But that morning,
• 50:08
  it tells us very simply,
• 50:10
  the Lord opened her heart
• 50:12
  to pay attention
• 50:13
  to what was said by Paul.
• 50:16
  How different.
• 50:18
  No blinding light.
• 50:20
  No voice from heaven.
• 50:22
  It couldn't have been more different.
• 50:25
  She's just sitting there
• 50:26
  and she's listening
• 50:28
  and as Paul speaks,
• 50:31
  the Lord opens her heart
• 50:33
  to receive the truth
• 50:34
  and to accept Jesus.
• 50:37
  You know,
• 50:38
  maybe that's how it is for you.
• 50:40
  Maybe as you look back
• 50:41
  over your life,
• 50:42
  you say,
• 50:43
  I can't follow Paul.
• 50:45
  No idea about that.
• 50:46
  That's dramatic.
• 50:47
  In fact,
• 50:49
  it's so low key in my life,
• 50:51
  sometimes I don't,
• 50:52
  I can't tell you.
• 50:53
  Can't tell you any day or hour
• 50:55
  or can't even tell you what month.
• 50:58
  All I know is
• 50:59
  I was once blind,
• 51:01
  but I now see
• 51:03
  and I love the Lord.
• 51:05
  There was a day
• 51:05
  my worship was purely outward.
• 51:07
  Now it's inward.
• 51:08
  It's in my heart.
• 51:10
  And I really,
• 51:10
  I really love
• 51:11
  coming to worship the Lord.
• 51:14
  See,
• 51:14
  that's a change
• 51:16
  within.
• 51:17
  And that's what happened
• 51:18
  to Lydia.
• 51:19
  And we see the result
• 51:20
  of that change
• 51:21
  in her heart
• 51:22
  because she opens up
• 51:24
  her home to Paul
• 51:25
  and she says,
• 51:26
  come on,
• 51:27
  come to my house.
• 51:28
  And you know,
• 51:29
  that's what happens
• 51:30
  when the Lord works
• 51:32
  in a person's heart.
• 51:33
  He opens more than the heart.
• 51:35
  He opens them,
• 51:36
  them out to serve,
• 51:37
  to work,
• 51:38
  to,
• 51:38
  here I am Lord,
• 51:39
  use me.
• 51:41
  Now we're just skipping through
• 51:43
  because the time is going.
• 51:45
  And then we come
• 51:46
  and again,
• 51:47
  they're all familiar stories
• 51:48
  but it's just showing
• 51:49
  the difference
• 51:50
  of how God works
• 51:52
  with different people.
• 51:54
  And we're familiar now
• 51:56
  with the story here.
• 51:57
  Paul is still in Philippi
• 51:58
  and every day
• 51:59
  as Paul and Silas
• 52:01
  are going about,
• 52:01
  there's this young woman
• 52:02
  who's a fortune teller
• 52:04
  and she's crying after them,
• 52:07
  these men are the servants
• 52:08
  of the Most High God.
• 52:09
  And at the end,
• 52:10
  Paul gets fed up of her
• 52:11
  and he commands
• 52:12
  the evil spirit
• 52:13
  to come out of her.
• 52:15
  The evil spirit comes out.
• 52:18
  But the problem
• 52:19
  for the men
• 52:19
  who owned this girl
• 52:21
  or not who owned
• 52:23
  or exploiting her
• 52:24
  was that the money,
• 52:26
  the social money,
• 52:27
  she was telling people's fortunes
• 52:28
  for money
• 52:29
  stopped.
• 52:30
  Income was gone.
• 52:32
  So they were incensed
• 52:33
  and they dragged
• 52:34
  Paul and Silas
• 52:35
  to the rulers
• 52:36
  and said,
• 52:36
  look,
• 52:37
  these men,
• 52:37
  and they came in
• 52:39
  using the racist stuff.
• 52:41
  These men are Jews.
• 52:43
  We're Romans.
• 52:44
  And they've come in
• 52:44
  and they've started
• 52:45
  teaching us things
• 52:46
  that are not lawful.
• 52:49
  Now the thing is,
• 52:51
  Paul and Silas
• 52:52
  were actually Roman citizens
• 52:53
  and had all the protection
• 52:56
  that that brought.
• 52:58
  And they couldn't,
• 52:59
  what happened to them
• 53:00
  couldn't have happened,
• 53:01
  wouldn't have been
• 53:02
  allowed to happen
• 53:03
  had the authorities known.
• 53:06
  That's why the authorities
• 53:07
  afterwards are petrified
• 53:08
  when they discover
• 53:09
  that Paul and Silas
• 53:10
  are Roman citizens.
• 53:12
  But anyway,
• 53:14
  without any inquiries,
• 53:15
  whatever,
• 53:16
  they get them
• 53:16
  and they give them
• 53:17
  a horrendous flogging.
• 53:19
  And they put them
• 53:20
  to the prisoner
• 53:21
  and said,
• 53:21
  put these men
• 53:22
  into the maximum
• 53:24
  security wing
• 53:25
  of the prison.
• 53:26
  That's what he does
• 53:26
  into the inner prison
• 53:27
  and sticks their feet
• 53:29
  into the stocks.
• 53:32
  And you know,
• 53:33
  it's wonderful
• 53:34
  the attitude
• 53:34
  of Paul and Silas.
• 53:35
  when you put yourself
• 53:38
  in their situation,
• 53:39
  there you are
• 53:40
  and your feet
• 53:42
  clumped
• 53:42
  in these awful things.
• 53:45
  Your back
• 53:45
  is pouring blood
• 53:47
  where you've been
• 53:48
  beaten horrendously
• 53:50
  and your limbs
• 53:52
  are sore,
• 53:52
  everything is aching.
• 53:54
  I'm sure
• 53:55
  if it was me,
• 53:56
  I'd be saying,
• 53:56
  Lord,
• 53:57
  what on earth?
• 53:58
  Why,
• 53:59
  Lord?
• 54:00
  I'm only trying
• 54:01
  to serve you.
• 54:02
  I came here
• 54:04
  because I believe
• 54:04
  this is where
• 54:05
  you were pointing me to.
• 54:08
  And that's exactly
• 54:09
  where the Lord
• 54:10
  was pointing him to,
• 54:11
  pointing Paul to.
• 54:13
  But you see,
• 54:14
  we always only see
• 54:16
  what's happening
• 54:17
  to ourselves
• 54:17
  right in front of us.
• 54:19
  We don't see
• 54:19
  the big picture.
• 54:21
  You see,
• 54:21
  there was somebody
• 54:22
  in that prison
• 54:22
  that needed
• 54:23
  to be converted.
• 54:26
  And so Paul
• 54:26
  and Silas
• 54:27
  have to get into
• 54:28
  that prison
• 54:28
  to be used
• 54:30
  by the Lord
• 54:30
  for that conversion.
• 54:32
  So we've always
• 54:33
  got to remember
• 54:33
  the picture
• 54:34
  is always bigger
• 54:35
  than ourselves.
• 54:36
  And it's a lesson
• 54:37
  that we have to learn
• 54:38
  over and over again.
• 54:41
  So there,
• 54:42
  in the prison,
• 54:43
  we find that
• 54:44
  Paul and Silas,
• 54:46
  they're actually
• 54:47
  praising God.
• 54:48
  They're praying
• 54:49
  and praising God.
• 54:50
  And it tells us
• 54:51
  that the prisoners
• 54:52
  heard them.
• 54:54
  What a testimony.
• 54:55
  What a testimony.
• 54:57
  And we read,
• 54:58
  of course,
• 54:58
  of how the earthquake
• 54:59
  came,
• 55:00
  of how the prison
• 55:01
  doors were flung
• 55:02
  open and everything.
• 55:05
  And a prison
• 55:05
  officer,
• 55:06
  the jailer,
• 55:07
  was going to kill
• 55:08
  himself because
• 55:08
  he knew the punishment.
• 55:10
  If you were
• 55:11
  a prison officer
• 55:12
  and a prisoner
• 55:13
  escaped,
• 55:14
  you were put to death.
• 55:15
  That was the rules.
• 55:17
  So he knew
• 55:17
  prison doors opened,
• 55:19
  they'll all be away,
• 55:19
  I'm a dead man walking.
• 55:22
  But there was
• 55:22
  more than that.
• 55:24
  The man was
• 55:25
  utterly disturbed
• 55:26
  because Paul
• 55:28
  cried out
• 55:28
  and he says,
• 55:29
  don't do any
• 55:29
  harm to yourself.
• 55:30
  We're all here.
• 55:33
  You know,
• 55:34
  this shouldn't
• 55:35
  happen.
• 55:37
  And the man
• 55:38
  all of a sudden,
• 55:39
  you've got to remember
• 55:40
  that this man here
• 55:41
  would be one of the
• 55:42
  most brutal guys
• 55:43
  that you could meet.
• 55:44
  He'd be a hard man
• 55:46
  with no feeling.
• 55:47
  He was used to
• 55:48
  every kind of
• 55:50
  torture,
• 55:51
  every kind of
• 55:51
  pain.
• 55:52
  He afflicted people
• 55:53
  with no thought
• 55:54
  or care.
• 55:55
  but all of a sudden
• 55:57
  he's a trembling
• 55:58
  wreck
• 55:58
  because God
• 56:01
  has come into
• 56:01
  the picture.
• 56:03
  And this man's
• 56:04
  conscience
• 56:04
  all of a sudden
• 56:06
  is troubled.
• 56:08
  You know,
• 56:08
  God gave us
• 56:09
  a conscience
• 56:09
  and a sensitive
• 56:11
  conscience
• 56:12
  is a wonderful
• 56:13
  thing.
• 56:15
  Far too often
• 56:16
  consciences,
• 56:17
  our conscience
• 56:18
  can become
• 56:18
  deadened
• 56:19
  so that
• 56:20
  so many people
• 56:21
  walking around
• 56:22
  their conscience
• 56:23
  is dead.
• 56:23
  all of a sudden
• 56:25
  this man's
• 56:26
  conscience
• 56:26
  is troubled.
• 56:28
  And all of a sudden
• 56:29
  everything is thrown
• 56:30
  upside down.
• 56:31
  And he realizes
• 56:32
  I'm in a terrible
• 56:34
  situation.
• 56:34
  Here's this man
• 56:35
  who didn't fear
• 56:36
  God or man.
• 56:37
  All of a sudden
• 56:38
  he fears God
• 56:39
  in a way that
• 56:39
  he didn't know
• 56:40
  was possible.
• 56:41
  And he cries out
• 56:42
  what must I do
• 56:43
  to be saved?
• 56:45
  And we know
• 56:45
  very simply
• 56:46
  the answer.
• 56:47
  Believe
• 56:47
  in the Lord Jesus
• 56:49
  and you will be saved.
• 56:51
  What does that mean?
• 56:52
  It means
• 56:54
  believe in your
• 56:55
  believe in your
• 56:57
  mind.
• 56:59
  Believe everything
• 57:00
  that the word of God
• 57:01
  tells you
• 57:01
  about Jesus.
• 57:03
  That's important.
• 57:05
  You believe
• 57:06
  everything
• 57:06
  the word of God
• 57:07
  tells you.
• 57:08
  That's not enough.
• 57:09
  It's important
• 57:10
  to have it in your
• 57:10
  mind
• 57:11
  but it needs
• 57:12
  to go deeper.
• 57:14
  You need
• 57:14
  to believe
• 57:16
  in your heart.
• 57:18
  That's where
• 57:19
  you need the Lord
• 57:19
  and you have to say
• 57:20
  to the Lord
• 57:20
  Lord help me
• 57:21
  to believe.
• 57:23
  I want to believe.
• 57:25
  I believe
• 57:25
  there might be
• 57:26
  people here today
• 57:27
  and that's exactly
• 57:28
  where you are
• 57:29
  and you say
• 57:29
  I want to believe
• 57:30
  but I'm stuck.
• 57:32
  When you ask
• 57:33
  the Lord
• 57:34
  Lord
• 57:34
  right now
• 57:35
  open my heart
• 57:36
  to believe
• 57:38
  in you
• 57:38
  and break
• 57:40
  my will
• 57:41
  in order
• 57:42
  to receive you.
• 57:44
  And you know
• 57:44
  if you really
• 57:45
  pray with
• 57:46
  all your heart
• 57:47
  that's what
• 57:48
  you really want
• 57:49
  the Lord
• 57:49
  will answer
• 57:50
  your prayer.
• 57:51
  That's the kind
• 57:52
  of prayer
• 57:52
  he will answer.
• 57:54
  And you ask
• 57:55
  the Lord
• 57:55
  that
• 57:56
  he will come
• 57:58
  in
• 57:58
  and once
• 57:59
  the Lord
• 58:00
  comes in
• 58:00
  he will do
• 58:01
  you good.
• 58:03
  And you might
• 58:03
  be saying to
• 58:04
  yourself
• 58:04
  think of all
• 58:06
  the things
• 58:06
  I've done
• 58:06
  in life
• 58:07
  and the kind
• 58:08
  of person
• 58:08
  I am
• 58:09
  and will
• 58:09
  the Lord
• 58:10
  take me?
• 58:10
  Of course
• 58:10
  he will.
• 58:12
  We've just
• 58:12
  looked at
• 58:13
  three people
• 58:13
  they couldn't
• 58:14
  be more
• 58:14
  different.
• 58:15
  the ferocious
• 58:18
  persecutor
• 58:19
  the nice
• 58:21
  religious
• 58:22
  woman
• 58:22
  and the
• 58:24
  hard-hearted
• 58:25
  jailer
• 58:26
  all their
• 58:27
  experiences
• 58:28
  are different
• 58:29
  but they all
• 58:30
  found faith
• 58:31
  they all came
• 58:32
  to believe
• 58:32
  in Jesus.
• 58:34
  So what
• 58:34
  about you?
• 58:36
  Well today
• 58:37
  is another
• 58:38
  opportunity
• 58:38
  for you
• 58:40
  to believe.
• 58:41
  Let's pray.
• 58:42
  Lord we
• 58:43
  we give
• 58:44
  thanks for
• 58:45
  how varied
• 58:46
  the ways
• 58:48
  of experiences
• 58:48
  are in
• 58:49
  people
• 58:50
  and yet
• 58:51
  at the end
• 58:51
  of the day
• 58:52
  there is
• 58:52
  only one
• 58:53
  way
• 58:53
  where we
• 58:54
  come to
• 58:55
  believe
• 58:55
  and to
• 58:55
  accept
• 58:56
  Jesus
• 58:56
  as Lord
• 58:57
  and Saviour.
• 58:59
  And so we
• 58:59
  pray Lord
• 59:00
  that you
• 59:01
  will open
• 59:02
  any eyes
• 59:03
  that so
• 59:04
  far have
• 59:04
  not seen
• 59:05
  open any
• 59:07
  ears that
• 59:07
  so far
• 59:08
  have not
• 59:08
  heard
• 59:09
  so that
• 59:10
  they will
• 59:10
  see
• 59:11
  and hear
• 59:12
  and believe.
• 59:13
  We pray
• 59:14
  that you
• 59:14
  will bless
• 59:15
  us.
• 59:15
  Take us
• 59:15
  home safely.
• 59:17
  Watch over
• 59:17
  us and keep
• 59:18
  us and guide
• 59:19
  us day by
• 59:19
  day.
• 59:20
  Forgive us
• 59:21
  our every
• 59:21
  sin in
• 59:22
  Jesus name.
• 59:23
  Amen.
• 59:25
  We're going
• 59:25
  to conclude
• 59:26
  singings from
• 59:26
  Psalm 146
• 59:28
  in the
• 59:34
  Scottish
• 59:34
  Psalter
• 59:35
  from
• 59:35
  verse 7
• 59:36
  to the
• 59:37
  end.
• 59:37
  Psalm 146
• 59:42
  from
• 59:43
  verse 7
• 59:44
  to the
• 59:44
  end.
• 59:46
  Who
• 59:46
  righteous
• 59:47
  judgment
• 59:47
  executes
• 59:48
  for those
• 59:49
  oppressed
• 59:50
  that be?
• 59:51
  Who to
• 59:51
  the hungry
• 59:52
  giveth
• 59:52
  food?
• 59:52
  God
• 59:53
  sets the
• 59:53
  prisoners
• 59:54
  free.
• 59:55
  The
• 59:55
  Lord
• 59:55
  hath
• 59:56
  given
• 59:56
  the
• 59:56
  blind
• 59:56
  their
• 59:57
  sight,
• 59:57
  the
• 59:57
  bowed
• 59:57
  down
• 59:58
  doth
• 59:58
  raise.
• 59:59
  The
• 59:59
  Lord
• 1:00:00
  doth
• 1:00:00
  dearly
• 1:00:00
  love
• 1:00:01
  all
• 1:00:01
  those
• 1:00:01
  that
• 1:00:02
  walk
• 1:00:02
  in
• 1:00:02
  upright
• 1:00:02
  ways.
• 1:00:04
  The
• 1:00:04
  stranger
• 1:00:04
  shield,
• 1:00:05
  the
• 1:00:05
  widow's
• 1:00:05
  stay,
• 1:00:06
  the
• 1:00:06
  orphan's
• 1:00:06
  help
• 1:00:07
  is he,
• 1:00:08
  but yet
• 1:00:08
  by him
• 1:00:09
  the
• 1:00:09
  wicked's
• 1:00:10
  way turned
• 1:00:10
  upside
• 1:00:11
  down
• 1:00:11
  shall
• 1:00:12
  be.
• 1:00:13
  The
• 1:00:13
  Lord
• 1:00:13
  shall
• 1:00:13
  reign
• 1:00:14
  forevermore.
• 1:00:15
  Thy
• 1:00:15
  God,
• 1:00:16
  O
• 1:00:16
  Zion,
• 1:00:16
  he
• 1:00:17
  reigns
• 1:00:18
  to
• 1:00:18
  all
• 1:00:18
  generations.
• 1:00:19
  Praise
• 1:00:19
  to the
• 1:00:20
  Lord
• 1:00:20
  give
• 1:00:21
  ye.
• 1:00:21
  Psalm
• 1:00:21
  146
• 1:00:22
  from
• 1:00:23
  verse
• 1:00:23
  7
• 1:00:23
  to
• 1:00:24
  the
• 1:00:24
  end.
• 1:00:24
  Who
• 1:00:24
  righteous
• 1:00:25
  judgment
• 1:00:26
  executes.
• 1:00:27
  for
• 1:00:41
  those
• 1:00:43
  oppressed
• 1:00:45
  that
• 1:00:46
  be,
• 1:00:48
  who
• 1:00:49
  do
• 1:00:50
  the
• 1:00:51
  hungry
• 1:00:53
  giveth
• 1:00:56
  food,
• 1:00:57
  God
• 1:00:58
  sets
• 1:01:00
  the
• 1:01:01
  prisoners
• 1:01:02
  free.
• 1:01:05
  The
• 1:01:06
  Lord
• 1:01:08
  doth
• 1:01:09
  give
• 1:01:10
  the
• 1:01:11
  blind
• 1:01:12
  their
• 1:01:13
  sight,
• 1:01:15
  the
• 1:01:16
  pardon
• 1:01:18
  of
• 1:01:19
  the
• 1:01:20
  praise,
• 1:01:21
  the
• 1:01:23
  Lord
• 1:01:25
  doth
• 1:01:26
  dearly
• 1:01:27
  love
• 1:01:28
  all
• 1:01:30
  those
• 1:01:31
  that
• 1:01:33
  walk
• 1:01:34
  in
• 1:01:35
  upright
• 1:01:36
  ways.
• 1:01:40
  The
• 1:01:41
  strangers
• 1:01:43
  shield,
• 1:01:45
  the
• 1:01:46
  widows
• 1:01:48
  save,
• 1:01:50
  the
• 1:01:50
  or
• 1:01:52
  open
• 1:01:53
  hell
• 1:01:54
  is
• 1:01:55
  he,
• 1:01:57
  but
• 1:01:58
  yet
• 1:01:59
  by
• 1:02:00
  him
• 1:02:01
  the
• 1:02:02
  way
• 1:02:03
  is
• 1:02:05
  way,
• 1:02:06
  turned
• 1:02:07
  up,
• 1:02:08
  side
• 1:02:09
  down
• 1:02:10
  shall
• 1:02:11
  be.
• 1:02:14
  The
• 1:02:15
  Lord
• 1:02:16
  shall
• 1:02:17
  reign
• 1:02:18
  forever
• 1:02:20
  more
• 1:02:22
  like
• 1:02:24
  God
• 1:02:25
  who
• 1:02:26
  died
• 1:02:27
  on
• 1:02:28
  thee.
• 1:02:30
  Praise
• 1:02:31
  to
• 1:02:32
  all
• 1:02:33
  generations,
• 1:02:35
  praise
• 1:02:36
  to the
• 1:02:37
  Lord
• 1:02:41
  to
• 1:02:42
  the
• 1:02:43
  Lord
• 1:02:44
  give
• 1:02:45
  peace.
• 1:02:47
  I'll go to this door on my right.
• 1:02:50
  Now may the grace,
• 1:02:51
  mercy and peace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest and abide upon each one of you now and forevermore. Amen.
• 1:02:58
  Amen.
• 1:03:28
  véx
• 1:03:31
  amen.
• 1:03:33
  for
• 1:03:38
  all
• 1:03:42
  people
• 1:03:49
  in
• 1:03:51
  Thank you.