Next Stop Rome | Acts 23:1-11 | Pastor Keith

Romans 8. 28 If I mention that every most of you, many of you

are. Christians know that what that

means. But there are times when you and

I are going through trials. We remember Romans 828, we're

reminded of it. Maybe someone will say it to

you, Romans 828. We know that all.

Things work together for good. To them that love God, to them.

Who are the called according to his purpose?

But at that moment, maybe you're in that moment now when things

are difficult, we simply cannot. See.

When we're in the waiting room of the intensive care unit, the

doctors just rung, the school has run.

Something's happened. Or one of your children's come

up to you and say, dad, mom, I've got to tell you something.

And we simply. Can't see at that.

Particular moment when things are not.

Easy to say. The least that that.

What we're going through. I can't see that.

Can't say it. We're ready.

To believe it. But at that moment.

We're we're kind of believing. Well, some things.

Work together for good, because this ain't.

Can't see any good in. This but at this.

Moment. It's much.

Harder that verse. When things are really messy and

intense. To see all things working

together for good. There are times when.

Helen has. I've said something and.

Helen said. Well, let's just.

Pray and we can pray. And I've gone.

Helen, you don't understand if you've done that, men, you

don't. You don't know how this.

Works. What you're asking is

impossible. Or let's just.

Pray about it. It's funny how women don't

understand and men don't pray. But here's the thing.

Scripture is true. This is the inerrant.

Word of God. We take it literally.

Unless. We believe in the Providence of

God, that is God. Has the absolute.

Rule over everything. Read the book of Job.

You see it beautifully in the 1st.

Few chapters Satan wanted to. Do stuff with Job and God said

well. This is what you're allowed to

do. This is how far you can go.

Unless we believe. In the Providence of God.

Unless we believe in the. Power of God to overrule all

situations that we face. Then we will find the Christian

walk. To be impossible.

Hebrews 1038 says these words. Now the just shall live.

By faith, that's those who are saved.

By the grace of God, the just shall live by faith.

But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure.

In him. God wants us to believe in Him.

It's like a parent and your kids coming.

Well, Dad, am I able to? Sleep here tonight.

What are you talking about? Or why didn't you come with me

to me when you were going through this problem?

Well, I didn't think you'd, you know.

You go. Who do you think I am?

What do you think I am? God says the.

Same now the just. Shall live by faith.

But if any man draw. Back my soul shall have no

pleasure in. Hebrews 11/1 says you know now.

Faith what it is. It is it.

It's. The substance of things hoped.

For the evidence of things not seen.

All through the book of Acts thus far, the apostle Paul.

Has. Faced relentless hostility,

constant threats of. People trying to kill him.

Taking vows? There's another group about to

take a whole. Number of 40 men about to take

another vow. Not going to eat.

Not going to drink until we kill Paul.

He's had beatings. He's been.

Imprisoned, and in the last chapters, this final opposition

only grows. Worse, remember Pastor Chuck

talking at a Calvary Chapel International Pastors

Conference? Just all the senior pastors.

There from around the world. And I think he was in his late

70s, nearly 80, and he said this has been for me and Kay the

most. Difficult year.

Of ministry and I went. Wow, that's something to look

forward to. I thought things got better.

Let us remember, godliness always arouses wickedness.

You live a Christian life. The sparks are going to fly out.

Philippians 112. But I would you should.

Understand, brethren, that the. Things which happened unto me.

Paul is saying. Have.

Fallen out rather unto the. Furtherance of the Gospel to

Timothy, 312 Some of Paul's last words to Timothy.

Yes, and all that will live. Godly who want to live the

Christian life in Christ Jesus. Shell, it's a promise.

Suffer persecution. Paul at this moment is safe,

ironically only because he is under the Roman protection.

Think about that. It's Rome that's saving his life

at the moment. Through the Providence of God.

Paul is now about to face another trial under another

hostile audience. He's about to meet the.

Sanhedrin. The word Sanhedrin means

council. It was.

The highest Jewish. Council In the 1st century, the

council had. 71 members in it and was.

Presided over by the high priest, he was divided into two

groups, the Sadducees, the priestly party.

They had the predominance, the power.

The sway politically. Over the Sanhedrin.

They didn't believe in resurrection.

Didn't. Believe in angels.

Or the supernatural. But some leading Pharisees also

were. Members of the Sanhedrin.

And this will be the. Last time we we have.

By the way, the word. Or the Sanhedrin ever mentioned

in Scripture. So let's read verse one.

And. Paul earnestly beholding the

Council. Said.

Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience.

Before God until this day. So Paul now knows he's I've been

living right before God. I haven't done anything wrong.

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that.

Stood by him to. Smack Paul in the mouth.

But then he's just all, he said. I've been living for God.

Smack. Him in the mouth, smack.

Sounds like what happened to Jesus, isn't it?

Exactly. Then said Paul unto him.

God shall smite thee, you wiped wall for you sit.

To judge me. After the law.

And command me to be smitten. Contrary to the law.

I mean, you're in charge of the law and then.

You tell someone to smack me in the face, which breaches the

law. And they that.

Stood by, said you revile God's high priest.

Didn't worry them, they just. Smacked ball in the mouth, then

said Paul. I didn't know, brethren, that he

was the High. Priest, what is written Thou

shalt not. Speak evil of the ruler of thy

people. Remember.

David wouldn't do that with. Soul and when?

Paul perceived that one part was.

Sadducees. And the other Pharisees, the

Sanhedrin, he cried out into the council.

Paul's pretty savvy here. Men and brethren, I am a

Pharisee. Remember we know Paul, he's a

Pharisee of the Pharisees, trained under Gamileal, the

great rabbi teacher. I'm a Pharisee.

I'm the son of a Pharisee of the hope and resurrection of the

dead. I am called in question.

So the Pharisees, they believed in the resurrection.

They went, oh, he's a Pharisee. Well, what's going on here?

It changed. It changed.

The whole. Dynamics of the Sanhedrin

meeting. And when he had said.

So there arose a. Dissension between the Pharisees

and the Sadducees, and the. Multitude was divided, for the

Sadducees say that there. Is no resurrection neither Angel

nor spirit? But the Pharisees.

Confessed both and there. Arose a great cry and the

scribes that were of the Pharisees part arose and stroke

saying, what are we? There's nothing wrong with this

guy. He's one of us.

But if a spirit or an Angel. Spoke to him.

Let's not fight against God. Because Paul.

Remember had told them about his personal testimony on the road

to. Damascus and when there?

Arose of great. Dissension The chief captain,

the Roman, because he's he can only understand Latin.

He doesn't know Hebrew or Aramaic.

The chief captain. Fearing Les Paul should have

been pulled in. Pieces of them.

And so in other words, what's happened, the commercials

programme they've launched forward, the sages are saying

no, he's one of us. And the sages Pharisees said

he's one of us, The sages, no. And sages, he's a punch and on.

I mean, this is the Middle East. It's it's it's it's loud.

Command of the soldiers are go down and taking.

By 4. Second time he's been.

Taken away from a crowd of people who are trying.

To tear me apart and bring him into the.

Castle That is the barracks of the Romans, verse 11.

And the night following the next night, the.

Lord stood by Paul and said, be of good.

Cheer. Paul.

For as you have testified. Of me in Jerusalem so.

Must thou bear witness also? At Rome, once again the Roman

commander. Claudius Lyceus saves Paul.

From being beaten to death. From an angry mob.

He's going. To get a little bit.

Tired of saving this little guy, Paul the Apostle.

Is safe now under arrest in the Roman.

Barracks adjacent to the Temple in Jerusalem, remember.

Go back. A little few, a little step.

Paul had come to Jerusalem just to tell people he was bringing

an offering from all the Gentile churches, help the Jerusalem

church, and he was telling them, giving the report of his 123

missionary journeys, and everything's just gone.

All over the place. Things have just gone downhill.

But we remember Paul had been told each time he.

Stopped off on the way, remember?

By the Christians groups all the way.

Along if you go to Jerusalem. Things.

Things are going to be. Bad.

Not things are not good. There and Agabus remember, he

said this is what's. Going to happen to you and this.

And and Paul had been warned and we learnt that.

It wasn't people there that were saying that.

Don't go, Paul. And Paul was saying I.

Have to go. God's calling me, I know and.

Paul by the Holy Spirit. These people were being told.

What was going to happen to Paul?

Paul is being told. This is what awaits you.

And Paul in the will. Of God continues on to.

Jerusalem, and this is what's happened.

He knew. It wasn't.

Going to be a picnic. In Jerusalem.

So, Paul, now how do we? Find this this man.

What was this mighty man of God's mindset, right?

At this moment when he's locked away.

In prison, in chains. Done nothing wrong.

How was he spirit? At this time we say, well, he's

Paul. He's been in prison before.

No, no, no, he's in Jerusalem. This is where he's tried to

reach. Twice.

Fellow Jews with the Gospel. Of Jesus.

Christ, Paul had always been the encourager to everybody.

Else even the book of. Philippians, he wrote while he's

in gaol, telling everyone you know, have hope.

Continue on. Don't drop away from the Lord.

The Lord will work through this. Yet now Paul is facing this

himself. He's encouraged so many and so

many churches, but now? Paul himself needed

encouragement, that's why. Fellowship is so important.

Because, you know, we can have the appearance as things are,

You know what Australians do. Oh good, as he's got.

No worries. Meanwhile, our marriage is

falling apart. Our son is on meth.

My job. Looks like I'm going to lose my

job, my dad's just been told. He's got terminal cancer and we

go, OK, things are going. We just have.

No idea. Each and every one of us, at

some moment, at some time. We're going to.

Be needing encouragement and God I hope when you come here to.

Calvary Chapel, Secret Harbour. And hear the word of.

God, you will always be. Encouraged, but Paul himself

needed. Encouraging this was a

difficult. Night and a time for.

The great servant of God. He's been through.

So much, but this time. It's tough, this is.

Jerusalem. His heart ached for the

salvation of his fellow countrymen.

Romans Chapter 11 he says I I would, I would give myself to

Romans 11 · chapter mention

eternal damnness if I could save.

My fellow countrymen, something that Moses had said as well.

He had had 2 great public opportunities, 2 great moments

to share Christ. With him, he told them.

On both occasions when he had arrived of I was on the road to

Damascus. I'm just a guy like you and

Jesus appeared to me and he's risen from the dead and I

persecuted the people of the way and Oh my, my life has changed.

22 situations. He'd done that, given his

testimony, but both have come to nothing.

No one had said, oh, I want what you have, Paul.

In fact, on both occasions, the crowd wanted to kill him.

So how'd your two sermons go? Oh, oh, Judge want to.

Kill me. They wanted him dead on both

occasions. Now Paul is in prison once

again. He's used to being in prison,

but things are different. So often we call on God to

deliver. Us, don't we in our?

Trial man, I remember. When I was a new believer.

You know all you want. To do is, is there anywhere I

can? Get a job where?

Everyone's a Christian. You go through that, I just.

Want to go somewhere? Everyone's a Christian, you know

where I am? There's.

Nobody is a Christian. And we want to.

God send me somewhere where everyone's a Christian.

So often we call on God to deliver us in our trial to get

us out of the situation we're in and we.

Find ourselves in and. We want God and we pray.

Oh. Coming Wednesday night, why I

need this situation? People have got to pray for us.

We've got to get out of. This we're in this dire.

Storm this trial we just. Need to escape but instead so

often. Jesus chooses to meet us.

In. Our situation?

See, that's where as you read the Bible, you get a different

gist. To man's thinking, for example,

Hananiah he was called. Shadrach, Michelle.

He was called Meshach. Azariah, he was called.

Abednego, you know the story. In Daniel chapter 3.

Daniel 3 · chapter mention

Nebuchadnezzar builds this great image.

At the sound of the. Orchestra the Babylonian

Symphony Orchestra standing up the.

Whole. Of the nation bowed down

thousands and thousands and thousands of people on the

ground. On their knees and there's.

Three guys. Standing, Nebuchadnezzar gets

really upset, calls them before them, threatens them.

So we're going to cook you. Unless you bow down and worship

and so. What do these three teenagers

say? Daniel 317 If it be so, our God,

whom we serve, is able to deliver us.

From the burning fiery furnace. Which had been heated 7.

Times more and he will. Deliver us.

Out of his hand, O King. But if not.

Be it known unto you, O King, they we will not.

Serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you've set up

throws them in the fire. You see, we as a church, we

would go. Shadrack Michigan have been

here. Let's pray God help them escape,

help them to get out of this, help them not to have to go

anywhere near. Isn't that what we would pray?

We would go oh let's let's get the prayer cards out 24/7.

We got to pray for Shadrack, Michigan, Bendigo and God says.

No, because as they're. Thrown in the fire, Jesus says

I'm here with you, I'm with you. They're not in bands, no longer

chained, and they're walking around and around, and not only

if, because Nebuchadnezzar called them in.

Were they going to leave? Better to be in the.

Fire with Jesus than outside in the air.

With the world and Nebuchadnezzar.

So we will see this with Paul. Today in our text I'm going to

give you 4 points 1. The presence of the Lord.

Is always with us. The presence of the Lord.

Is always with us. It was opportune.

For Paul to be. Alone this night under.

Roman protection in the Roman. Barracks away from everyone.

Jesus Christ appears to our struggling apostle.

And he? Stands and notice it says by

Paul. It doesn't.

Say he stands before Paul. Well, aren't you getting a bit

pedantic? No, I think it's important.

It says he stands by Paul, not before him.

But by him means alongside. Paul.

And the night following the. Lord stood by him.

Verse. 11 Read it in your. Bible.

Look at it it. Was the night following?

Jesus always comes in the. Darkest.

Hour in the darkest hour. We need to be.

Reminded over and over we are never alone in our trial.

You think you're alone, but we never are.

Helen and I went through a time. We were visiting a doctor.

The words that. Were coming from the.

Doctor were not good and in the waiting room.

God spoke to myself. And also to Helen.

As we shared. The same verse later, Lord, we

need to, because everything from the world was wrong, not good.

We need something right? And the Lord gave us.

Psalm 27 verse one we used to sing it.

The Lord is. My light and my salvation, whom

shall I fear? The Lord.

Is the strength of my life of. Whom shall I be afraid?

It mattered not what medical medicos said.

It matters only what God said. Second point Jesus came to

inspire Paul. Why did Jesus appear to?

Paul at this. Particular moment I mean, we

don't. See it anywhere.

Else it says the Lord stood by him.

Why? To bring to Paul personal

comfort, personal cheer. Paul be of good cheer, for he

tells Paul be of good cheer, Jesus said.

These words to Paul. Paul, be of good cheer.

Good cheer, You could have said. Yeah, You want to make the

cheery sound of the chains? And the scratching.

And the gouges and the bruises that I.

I have. From the two mobs.

That I faced and I, Paul didn't do any of that.

Jesus, say Paul, it's good. You see?

The view from heaven is so vastly.

Different from the roof, from Earth.

Read through. Through the Book of Revelation,

the view from Earth. Looking up.

Oh, help us save us from the judgement of the.

Lamb root from heaven. It's different.

You've had time. Repent.

Jesus came to bring what did. He bring strength and.

Here's the other thing. Continued purpose.

For Paul. Just didn't come say.

Yeah, Paul, I know it's been tough.

Yeah, come on out. Let's have let's go to

Dunsborough for four weeks because the world always wants

you to have a break from God. The advice of the world is you

need to have a. Have a break from church.

You know you're. Going through a tough time.

You don't need to go to church. No, that is the very moment.

You need to be in. Church, the World Council's

wrong Council, Paul. I'm here.

He. Came to help Paul in spite of

what he was suffering, and he came to get.

Paul to recalibrate Paul's thoughts.

And that's why you need to read the word.

And sit under the. Word because you come from the

world and the. World puts all it's dust.

And dirt. On you and you.

Start to think. Of the way of the world.

Think, oh, things are no good. This is the.

End of it. I mean, look, they just the US

just. Sent their envoy to Pakistan.

And the other guys didn't even turn up, send them back.

What's going to What's going? On, there's no end.

Of this Iranian situation. God knows what's going on.

It's all fine. He came to Paul.

So that Paul didn't drop the bundle.

He came to get Paul thinking. Biblically, and that's the only.

Right way for you to think. Biblically, and you know why.

Because that's. Truthfully, that's the truth.

You can't. Look to politicians for truth.

They're lying when their lips are moving.

You look to the word of God and it never.

Changes Straits of Hormuz are open now they're closed.

Now they're open and they're. Closed petrol is good we got.

Plenty of. Petrol.

We got a day's. Worth.

We've got another million. So many.

Litres. Yeah, that's a day.

OK, we we might have to change things then.

God's word never changes, but first Jesus would commend.

Paul, I love that. Jesus commended.

Paul, he says to Paul for as. You have testified of me in

Jerusalem. Paul, you've done a great job.

Isn't that good? Paul.

You have testified of me. And for me in Jerusalem,

magnificently Paul. God said that about.

Job. Have you seen my man?

Job. Oh, man, what a guy.

Paul, you've done all that I've asked.

Of you the response. Of those you have witnessed to

is not your responsibility now, Paul, all your burden.

You are clean of their blood. You have told them.

Now they must. Choose what they will do with

what you have proclaimed about me.

I tell you every. Pastor that's worth their salt.

Leaves church most Sundays depressed.

You go. Depressed.

Yeah, because every. Pastor wants everyone on.

Fire for God every pastor. Wants everyone who doesn't know

Christ to come to. Christ that day, because it

doesn't. Happen that way, you go home

depressed. Seriously, you dig into the.

Words that God help me, he says. You've done, you've I, I, you're

the messenger. Just.

You. Speak the message now.

Let the steed land where it lies.

There's four types of hearts. I mean one.

Of those hearts. Is going to accept.

It their eternal destination pool.

Is not on you, but on their. Shoulders now how?

This must have blessed Paul because he's just thinking.

They're lost. We need to tell them.

As the writer of Hebrews. Tells us Hebrews 610.

For God is not unrighteous. To.

Forget your work and notice so we know what it is Labour of

love which you have showed toward.

His name in that one you have ministered to.

Who did you minister? To To the Saints 3.

And you continue to minister. Church.

That's a verse for you because the right of Hebrews expects you

to. Be ministering to the Saints.

The rest of the body, Christ. And continuing even now.

To minister. What part are you doing?

What you're We're all part of the body.

It's not just. One person and this person and

the Sunday school people. And the ushers and.

Everyone just gets a free pass. Doesn't work that way.

There is in that verse. An expectation that we each

would indeed minister. To Fellow.

Saints and that we even. Now are ministering to them.

The Church. Third Point.

Paul needed. The word of the Lord.

As do you and I. Each day.

But particularly in this time. Of personal trial when someone.

Comes to ask for counsel. I go.

I don't know what the. Word the Lord has.

For you in this thing. But this is.

What I know you need to do, you need to dig into the word even

more now and find. Out what God has for you there

God will speak to you. God will give you a verse,

something tangible. That is.

Concrete that will help you in. Your situation?

Don't. Just run around.

Like a chook with his head cut off.

Where do I go? What do I do?

You tell me what? Because in this room.

There's a couple of 100 people. That'll tell you what to do.

And none of us have any idea. He says, Paul be of good cheer.

You see? God knew Paul's heart.

That's why he said. Be a good cheer, Paul, he knew.

That Paul was down. Which is why he said these words

to him, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered saying we have

good cheer. He needed cheering, he need to

know things are good. How down Paul must have been,

but how wonderful and sure and assuring for.

Paul that Christ tells Paul. Everything really is OK.

Everything's on. You could on.

Have you seen? You see our vision?

We we we have no idea. You're just banging your head.

You think with your son, with your husband, your wife?

No, no. It's on you.

Just keep doing what I've asked you to do, OK?

Paul, be happy. Come on, Paul, be of good cheer

the mighty. Prophet John the Baptist he

found himself just like. Paul, didn't he?

He was locked up. They're going to.

Take his head off. And he was too, and now in

prison. In chains and he's wondering

this this. Doubt came is.

Jesus is he, the Messiah is he and his disciples came and and.

Told Jesus John's in. You know, he's, he's in.

Prison and things are not looking good.

And he's, he's just wondering, you know?

What does Jesus say to John's disciples?

With the doubts that they had to go back and tell John, Jesus

answered and said unto them, The disciples of John the Baptist.

Go and show John again these. Things which you hear and.

See. The.

Blind. Receive their sight, the lame.

Walk. The lepers are cleansed, the

deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor.

That's the. Poor in spirit.

Have the gospel preached. To them it's.

Interesting that Jesus is preaching.

The gospel, don't you think? And blessed is he whosoever

shall not be. Offended in me and then.

As they went back to tell John that news to say he's the

Messiah, we've. Seen it.

He's the Messiah. John, he told us to tell you

this. And as they left.

Jesus said. What did you guys?

Expect to see of of the Prophet. Did you expect to see?

Someone in fine linen and glory. You know, except no, a prophet,

yes, I say to you. And more than a prophet.

And now he commends John the Baptist.

For this is he of. Whom it is written, Behold, I

send my messenger. Before your face, which?

Shall prepare thy way. Before thee.

And then Jesus adds this verily when you see.

Verily, Billy. Graham says when you see Verily.

Always listen up, it's important.

Verily. I say unto you among.

Them that are born of women, there has not risen a greater

than John the Baptist. He's the greatest prophet.

Jesus words. Notwithstanding, he that is

least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Tell John, John, you prepared the way magnificently for me.

Tell him that. Tell John I am the Messiah.

I am he. Tell him that.

Tell. John.

John. You've done all that you're

asked to do. You did it beautifully.

Faithfully, because John is about to be beheaded.

You see, God knows. Your faithfulness to Him.

And he implores. You to keep.

Going. Keep going. 4th and final point,

but. Paul's ministry.

Don't worry, it's a long one. It's going to get out early.

No, Paul's ministry was not yet finished.

The Lord had need of him for more.

It's not over yet, Paul. We see that our work each of.

Us, like Paul the apostle for the Lord, is critical.

As we are saved, why? To serve him.

That's the reason you're saved. With our lives until Jesus takes

us. Home and we have run and

finished our race. Jesus says to Paul, Paul, I've.

Called you to. Witness and testify of me.

In Jerusalem, you've done that indeed.

Awesome, but there's still. More I need you for more.

More witnessing. Paul, it's not over yet.

Paul, be of good cheer. Be of good cheer, Paul, for as

you have. Testified.

Of me in. Jerusalem now notice.

What Jesus, how he expresses? It to so must you bear witness

also. At Rome.

This is not it, Paul. Now you have.

To go to Rome, I command you to go to Rome.

You must notice. Jesus says to Paul, so must.

You bear witness also at Rome. Must.

It's emphatic. For after.

Jerusalem, I'm sending you to. Rome Parents.

Well, I've raised the kids. We're empty nesters and so.

You're still. A mother and a father.

Yes, they have their own lives, but you're still a mother and a

father. Your role as parenting is

praying for them, checking up on whether they go to church,

guiding in the church, helping them, encouraging them doesn't

just go well. They're done.

They're gone. And then after your children.

Jerusalem comes. Your Rome Grandchildren.

Grandchildren. Psalm 100.

And three verse 17 says. But the mercy of the.

Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.

Upon them that fear him. And his righteousness unto

children. 'S Children.

Proverbs, 1322. A good.

Man leaves an inheritance to his children, to his children's

children, and the wealth of the Sinner is laid up for the.

Just Paul is. Commended and rewarded for his

labourers thus far. Jerusalem.

But Paul, there's more. Luke, 1917.

Jesus says. Well done, thy good, and.

Faithful. Servant, because you've been

faithful. In a very little Jerusalem now.

I'm going to give you authority over 10.

Cities, Rome, faithful and little.

There is more for you to do. Oh.

Well, I used to teach Sunday school.

And what are you doing now? Well, Keith, that's a bit.

Abrupt. Now I'm just being.

Biblical. It's not like.

Well, I've just I've you. Know done that No from deacons

Philip Stephen. Serving bread.

What has happened? God.

Used them to be evangelists. How much of an influence?

Did Stephens only message recorded have upon the?

Life of Saul to changing to. Paul because.

Paul mentions that every time. He speaks in his testimony.

I held the garments of the guys that.

Killed him. There is no taking your foot off

the pedal. In our service.

Church is not well Sunday. It's done.

It's over. Your service for.

And to the Lord goes on in the Bible, there's no retirement.

Plan. There's no.

Break from ministry. Sorry, kids, you know we had

four. Kids, but we're changing things

up. Two of you got to go.

We're only. Going to deal with two.

So we're going to mum's not just going to cook for two.

And so you got to work at, we're only going to do 2, it's going

to be two beds. We're going to rent out a room.

I mean, it just sounds ridiculous, but we do that with

God. There's no.

Break from ministry? There's no break.

From working on your marriage, there's no break.

From that. To all the work that.

God has prepared for you is finished.

Ephesians 210. For we are his.

Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good.

Works. That's why we're created to do

the works. Of God, which God has.

Before. Before the foundation of the

earth. Ordained before we were born.

That we should what? Walk in them that.

We should do them. Today.

Sadly, there are many jobs. Many unfinished tasks that have

been under left by so many you. Started off you.

Yeah, you're this far with the kids.

And then you bail this far with your marriage then.

You stop that. You don't.

Do that anymore. They're they're, they're not

complete. They're not finished.

Marriages, parenting, serving in the church doesn't finish.

I love that old folk. Older folk and I'm.

I'm up there now, they could say hey.

I'm I'm. Retired now, is there anything?

Around the church I can do what? How can I help?

I can. Spend time here now.

Jesus did not come to relieve the pressure on Paul.

That's the way of the world. Well, we just, Yeah, we do,

Paul. Have a break.

Have a Kit Kat. No.

Jesus came. To strengthen Paul.

Why to make him? Overcome the pressure.

The pressure wasn't going to drop.

The pressure was going to get. Worse, see you.

And I want the pressure gone. God says I I ain't touching the

pressure. I'm here for you. 1 John 4. 4

You are of God little. Children and have overcome them

because greater is He that is in you.

And he is in the world now 12. 3456.

More let me give you. Revelation 27 he that.

Hasn't hear. Let him.

Hear what the Spirit says under the churches.

To him, that overcomes. Shall I give to eat of the?

Tree of Life which? Is in the midst of the paradise

of God. You see, it's only to the

overcomers that you get these blessings.

Revelation 211. He that has an ear, let him hear

what the. Spirit says to the churches.

He that overcomes shall not. Be heard of the second death.

That was to those in. Smyrna who were going to die.

For their faith, Jesus says, Oh. Don't worry, I'll rescue you.

No, you're still going to die. But stay faithful, even to

death. Revelation 217.

He that has an ear. Let him.

Hear what the Spirit. Says under the churches to him

that overcomes. Will I give?

To eat of the hidden. Manner will give him a white

stone. In the stone, a new name written

which no man knows. Save he that.

Receives it. Revelation 3/5.

He that overcomes the same shall be clothed in white.

Raiment and I want to. Blot out, not blot out.

His name out of the book. Of life I will confess his name

before my. Father and before his angels.

The last one, No second last one.

Revelation 312 He that overcomes, will I make a pillar

in the temple? Of my God.

And he shall go no more out, and I'll write upon him the name of

my God, the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem,

which comes down out of heaven for my God, and I will write up

on him. My new name, the last 321.

To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me on my

throne? Even as I also overcame.

You. See our our savour.

He was the overcomer, he said. It is finished.

And say this is too. Hard Get Me Out of.

Here. And I'm sit down with my.

Father on his throne you see the.

Difference between a carnal Christian and a mature.

Believer is a mature believer. Stays in the pressure cooker.

And God gives him the strength to overcome they.

Stay in the fire, they stay in the.

In the storm, they continue. To row and then because they

continue to row, Jesus gets. Them to the other side.

Reverend Philip Brooks said this.

And I quote. Do.

Not pray for easy life. That's what most of us pray.

Oh God help me this. Oh, come Wednesday.

Or can you pray for this? Oh, Get Me Out of this, Help me

this, get that. Fix this.

Put my shoes on, tie my shoes up.

Comb my hair, wash my. Face seriously, do not pray for

easy. Lives pray to be stronger.

Men do not. Pray for tasks equal to your

powers. Pray.

For powers equal to your tasks, you're either a weak church or a

strong church. I'm either a carnal Christian.

Or I am here and. God's going to get.

Me through this and I believe he will.

Just Jesus now tells Paul. The purpose for his life, the

rest of his life, which is soon to end.

Why I'd chosen him. Why God had called him?

So you must bear. Witness of me at Rome.

Rome. You see, God's Providence is

over. Everything in our lives.

So now we know Paul's fears were quenched.

Because of Christ's personal. Encouragement be of good cheer,

Paul. Then it's reasonable to.

Say that Paul will indeed. And I want you to note this, be

immortal. Till his work was.

Done through God's. Power.

Did you get that? That as you have work.

For the Lord and you do it, and you're in the will of God.

You ain't. Nothing's coming between you and

God and anything else until. The work.

Is finished and then God says now on.

Let's wrap up this four things difficulties we face.

And experience are known necessary proof.

Of our being unfaithful or out of God's will.

Two, our difficulties are all. Known.

To Christ each. And every one of them. 3

difficulties. Are for.

Each of us as we face. Them.

They Why do we have them? They are God's incentive.

For fresh effort, not to. Surrender or to give up. 4.

Difficulties that God leads us. Into and allows us to face are

there so that we. Each will have a fuller and a

greater trust. In him.

Isaiah 50, verse 70. For the Lord God will help me

therefore. Shall I not be confounded?

That means ashamed. Confused or humiliated

therefore. Have I set my face like a Flint?

And I know that I. Shall not be ashamed.

In my devotions I'm. Reading through the book of

Romans and I'm reading. Through the living Bible,

through the book of Romans. It's interesting and I read this

this week, which fits in here. Romans chapter 5 verse 3 says we

Romans 5:3

can rejoice too. When we run.

Into problems and trials, for we know that they help.

Us develop endurance and endurance.

Develops strength of character. And character strengthens.

Our confident hope of salvation and this hope.

Will not lead to disappointment, for we know.

How dearly God loves us because He has.

Given us the Holy Spirit. To fill our hearts.

And His love isn't that. Life that Jesus was telling Paul

to live. The very life that Jesus lived

himself, difficulty after difficulty.

Oh. But Keith, God's never.

Visited me like Paul. Hey, every time you open your

Bible. Jesus is ready to speak to you.

You. Don't have to be in prison every

time you open the. Bible Jesus is ready to speak to

you. But I am alone.

Jesus came alongside Paul personally.

I don't have that, no. You're not alone.

Jesus sent his Holy Spirit. The helper.

John, 1416. He will.

Abide with you. Forever he will come alongside

you. Forever your Rome awaits.

For some of you who have been serving in Jerusalem, and for

some of you others, you still have work to do in Jerusalem

before you get to go to run. Just to know you my sweetest

friend. My friend.