WEBVTT 00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:01.679 Look at Acts chapter 16. 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:05.040 I want to show you four or five different examples. 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:08.320 Then I want to show you a scripture to back up the example. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:09.519 I'm glad you're in church tonight. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:10.320 Anyone need a Bible? 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:11.199 Everybody in good shape? 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.759 Good to thanks for being in Wednesday night services. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:15.359 That light just went out over there. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:18.320 If we could uh help that out a little bit, Brother Eddie over there. 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:19.199 See if you could have it. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:19.600 There we go. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:20.480 Thank you so much. 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:22.079 Acts chapter 16. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:24.640 And follow with me just a little bit tonight. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:28.079 And let's read a couple things and let me bear something out to you. 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:29.839 Look at verse 19. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:38.240 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains were gone, was gone, they uh caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the marketplace and the rulers. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:46.000 If you remember the story about this thing, uh uh she, this lady, was prophesying and making some money for her keepers, if you would. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:52.240 And when they saw that this lady was now in her right mind and that they couldn't make any money off of her, they were very angry. 00:00:52.399 --> 00:01:00.320 Verse 20, and brought them, that's Paul and Silas, to the magistrates, saying, Watch it, these men, being Jews, do exceedingly what? 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:06.799 Say it, trouble our city, and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither observe being Romans. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:09.120 And watch what the multitude says, verse 22. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:16.719 And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates rent off their clothes and commanded to beat them. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:19.280 It's not a good day for Paul and Silas, amen. 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:20.640 Verse 23. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:22.640 And when they had laid what? 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:27.760 Many stripes upon them, so would you agree with that they were in some trouble that day? 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:30.079 Come on, yes or no, talk to me. 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:31.359 In a great deal of trouble. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:36.159 After they'd beaten them, they cast them in the prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:41.760 Now, if you know the story, we call this the story of the uh Philippian jailer, and you know what happens that night? 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:50.400 They sing songs and and uh not to make light of it and quickly, but the earthquake comes and the prison is shook, and all the prisoners are let free. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:54.560 The keeper decides he's gonna kill himself because he was charged to keep the prisoners. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:02:04.159 And out of this whole thing, if you look in verse 33, look at it, uh, Paul and Silas are able to lead not only the jailer but his whole house to the Lord. 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:11.039 Verse 23, and he took them the same hour that night, washed their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his straight ways. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:19.840 So the end result of this trouble that Paul and Silas faced was the gospel went forth, someone got saved and was ushered into kingdom. 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:20.400 Amen? 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:21.360 Is that right? 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:22.080 Yes or no? 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:23.199 You know what? 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:30.080 One of the great things when God brings trouble into our life is that it can be used for his help. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:32.159 You know, I get tired of hearing this. 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:34.319 Oh, I'm having bad luck. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:37.120 Now, Christians should never say that. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:40.080 But you hear it in the world, don't you? 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:42.639 Once in a while, somebody says, Oh, it's just bad luck. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.280 To a Christian, there's no such thing as luck. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:47.759 Luck means chance. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:49.759 Do you know what I'm saying? 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:52.080 Well, I just got some bad luck going on. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.520 No, a Christian would say, Well, maybe I'm out of the will of God. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.280 Or maybe I'm in the will of God and he's bringing trouble into my life. 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:01.520 But there's no such thing as bad luck. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:08.639 Look if you would, what happened here, because of what the trouble came to them, the gospel went forth and someone got saved. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:11.439 Look if you would at 21, chapter 21, brother. 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:16.560 Watch the pattern here, and I'll bring a scripture to you just a minute in Philippians that'll make sense. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:20.000 Look at Acts chapter 21, and watch the pattern of this thing. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:21.439 Look at verse 27. 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:22.479 Verse 27. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:23.680 Thanks for turning with me. 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:25.120 I won't preach that long to you. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:38.000 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him, that's Paul, in the temple, stirred up the people and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, what? 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:38.560 Second. 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:48.240 This is the man that teaches all men everywhere against the people and the law, then this place, and further brought Greeks also in the temple and hath polluted this holy place. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:50.240 By the way, that wasn't true. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:51.520 Verse 29. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:59.919 When they had seen therefore with him and the city of Trophimus and Ephesian, whom they what? 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:04.319 They supposed that Paul had brought him in the temple, and actually he hadn't. 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:12.639 And all the city was, say it, talk to me, moved, and the people ran together, and they took Paul, drew him out of the temple, and forthwith the doors were shut. 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:16.959 Now, you talk about a bad day, verse 31, and as they went about to do what? 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:19.040 They were going to kill him. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.040 They were that angry, they were going to kill him. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.240 Now the tidings come to the chief captain, and they go get Paul. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:29.920 Now, because of all this trouble that comes upon Paul in this situation, look at verse 40. 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:31.360 Verse 40. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:39.040 He comes through the uh, if you would, the uh chain of command, and he says, Hey, I got something I want to say. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:48.560 And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs and beckoned with his hands unto the people, and when there was a great what? 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:52.720 Silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, and you know what he does? 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:54.399 He gives his testimony. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:57.600 The reason he was able to do that was trouble. 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:06.959 Trouble grew, trouble came, and God opened up a door of utterance because of that trouble, and Paul got to witness to as many that could hear his voice. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:08.800 And you know what he said at midday. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:10.639 I was on the road, Damascus. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:14.240 And he gave his whole testimony because of that trouble. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:19.759 You see, Christians should not look at trouble and say, Oh man, oh man, oh man. 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:23.120 We do, but we ought to look at this Bible and say, you know what? 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:28.319 Every time Paul got into trouble, he used it as another opportunity to witness to somebody. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:29.680 Amen? 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:34.959 How many times have you gone to the hospital and took tracks with you and found someone to give it to you along the way? 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:43.279 You know, I just can't see a purpose to go to the hospital, especially if you're the one going there and not witness to somebody while you're there. 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:47.519 What a waste of time just being in the hospital, just healing. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:49.920 Amen? 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:52.959 Look if you would a little bit further and notice if you would. 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:55.920 Uh look over at Acts chapter 20. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:58.879 Uh, I got a little still a little challenge with my vision. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:00.560 Acts chapter 24. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.040 Acts chapter 24. 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:06.160 Watch the pattern here, and I'll give you a scripture in a minute. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:07.360 Acts 24. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:08.879 Uh look at verse 5. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:12.000 Here he is again, talking about Paul. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:15.519 We have found this man, Paul, a pestilent fellow. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:18.000 You ought to look up that word pestilent sometime. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:24.079 And a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nagaries. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:29.920 Now listen, anybody, somebody, anytime someone's called a ringleader, it's a sarcastic term. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:31.199 Amen? 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:34.800 In school, how many men in here were ever called the ringleader? 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:38.240 That was not a good term. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.399 Come on, yes or no? 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:43.279 Captain of the team is a good term. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:45.920 A ringleader is a bad term. 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:47.600 What are they doing? 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:48.879 Who's the ringleader? 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:51.120 Do you know what I'm talking about? 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:53.519 So they were, they were, they were ringleader. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:56.720 He didn't say, who's captain of the sect of the Nazarenes? 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.160 They said, Who's the ringleader? 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.279 Well, it's Paul. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:02.000 So you know he's stirring up some more trouble here. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:04.560 As a result of that, look at verse 24. 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:06.480 Oh, look at verse 9. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:08.240 Verse 9 of chapter 24. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:11.759 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:13.360 Now they're ganging up on him. 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:17.120 As a result of this trouble, again, look at verse 24, brethren, stay with me. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:25.519 After certain days, when Felix, there's a high authority, came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewish, he sent for Paul and what? 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:26.240 Say it. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:28.879 Heard him concerning the what? 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:29.439 Say it. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:30.639 The faith in Christ. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:34.000 Because of the trouble, the gospel went forth. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:39.519 He got the opportunity to witness to Felix, and he got the opportunity to witness to Drusilla. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.639 And may I say to you, they weren't the only ones in the crowd. 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:45.360 They had a throng around them that took care of them. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:47.360 The whole palace was probably there. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:58.160 The idea was, verse 25, and as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go thy way for this time. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:01.040 When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.680 You know what? 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:03.519 Paul was getting to him. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.360 The Holy Spirit was working. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:06.480 Why did it happen? 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:13.439 Because God used Paul, got him in some trouble, and then Paul used that as an opportunity to witness. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.759 What are you saying all this before? 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:19.360 Well, brethren, new Christians need to understand something. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:20.639 Trouble's going to come. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:27.920 You know we think sometimes when we become Christians and get baptized and get in, oh man, my life is going to smooth out. 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:32.320 Well, in some ways it smooths out, in some ways it gets kind of rough. 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:33.519 Amen? 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:40.080 But when it gets rough, it's usually because God's going to use us as an opportunity to further the gospel. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:42.000 If we use it for that purpose. 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:43.039 Come on, yes or no? 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:43.519 Amen? 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:50.159 So the idea is we need to teach new Christians that when trouble comes, look for opportunities to witness. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:51.759 Amen? 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:54.960 Because God has divine appointments. 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:02.559 Our teenagers in our church need to learn something. 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:04.480 By observing we adults. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:08.240 When trouble comes, we don't fold up our tents and quit. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:14.399 When trouble comes, we look around and say, somebody's going to get witness to out of this trouble. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:17.840 Look if you would a little bit further and notice the pattern. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:21.600 Look if you would at verse uh look at chapter 25, please. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:23.039 Chapter 25. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:26.000 And notice if you would, verse 24. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:30.639 Not only does Felix get witness to, but look at verse 24. 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:33.279 And Festus said, King Agrippa. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:39.200 Now, Paul witnesses to Festus in chapter 25 and verses 6 and 7. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:42.320 And then we come over in verse 24 of chapter 25. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:10:00.399 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, chapter 25, verse 24, ye see this man about whom all the multitude of Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:03.039 Man, I tell you what, everybody wants to kill him. 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:09.519 So Festus goes on with King Agrippa and says, But listen, I found this man not worthy of death. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:13.679 And so Agrippa decides, all right, I'll listen to Paul. 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.480 And you know this little statement, but look at 27. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:18.720 Chapter 26, verse 27. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:19.279 I'm sorry. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:21.039 Chapter 26, flip the page. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.639 Look at verse 27. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:27.840 Paul witnesses again about his testimony about the road to Damascus. 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:32.879 And verse 27, King Agrippa, believeth thou the prophets? 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:36.240 And then Paul says this, I know that thou believest. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:39.919 Paul uses his trouble as an opportunity. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.639 Verse 28. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:45.440 Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a what? 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:46.879 A Christian. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:55.360 And Paul said very openly, I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:57.679 Hey, Agrippa wasn't the only one there. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:04.480 This was a big outing that was going on, and they were bringing Paul in, and Paul used his trouble to propagate the gospel. 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:05.919 That's what I'm saying. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:08.320 This there's no such thing to a Christian as bad luck. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.039 We all had a bad luck day. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:11.679 What does that mean? 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.559 Well, trouble came. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.960 Well, did we look for opportunities to witness? 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:21.279 Did we look for opportunities that because of that somebody came by and we were able to give them a track? 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:26.639 One more, one more, one more uh illustration of this. 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.399 Look at chapter 27. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.320 I'll tell you why. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.200 This is important in a minute. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.399 Chapter 27. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.399 Everybody there? 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:35.840 Hey, yeah. 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:38.720 Let me let me stop just for a moment. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:41.600 Brother Doug Jordan and his family aren't here tonight. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:47.360 Uh brother Jordan preached the funeral of his mom today. 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:49.759 About 2 o'clock this afternoon. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.360 And think about that. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:56.480 He preached the funeral of his mom. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:05.679 Now, on one side there's rejoicing because of the disease she had was affecting her mind and her body. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:08.080 And she's graduated and she's in heaven. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:11.759 But you know, there's a lot of loneliness. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:28.240 Brother Jordan's dad, which some of you know and I don't think I'm speaking out of turn, said to Doug, every day, Doug, for the last 13 to 14 years, I had a purpose. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:31.519 I got up because my wife needed me. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.799 And I took care of her. 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:41.279 I'm talking about putting her in a chair, sometimes strap her in, and feed her. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:48.399 I'm talking about at times changing her clothes because she soiled them. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:58.000 I'm talking about taking care of a wife that was like a little child at times. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:00.720 But he said, Doug, I had a purpose. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:05.600 Now I woke up this morning and everything's different. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.360 She's gone. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:11.600 He said the thing I'm most fearful of is after the funeral. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:17.919 I guess I'm gonna have to get a couple of jobs or something because that was my purpose. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.240 That's what I live for to take care of my wife. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:26.799 Now, Doug and Jeannie and all the family are going through that right now. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:29.519 You know who Doug's dad is leaning on heavily? 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.799 Brother Jordan. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.559 Always has. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:45.440 Brother Jordan came to my house a couple days ago, and just the mere mention of the fact that his dad was leaning on him very heavily, Doug just started crying. 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.200 Trouble. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:53.200 But today Doug preached, and the gospel went out. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:57.440 And God ordained it. 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:00.799 It wasn't bad luck. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:04.240 It was divinely appointed. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.639 There's a difference. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.480 Look at chapter 27. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.519 Look at it. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:13.360 This is Paul getting ready to go through a shipwreck. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:23.519 We won't read the whole thing, but Paul stands up to all the men on this ship and says in verse 22, verse 22, and now I exhort you, be of good cheer. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.879 You know what he's saying? 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:29.360 Hey, the ship is getting ready to break up, but be glad. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:33.039 Let's have a good day. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:37.039 We're just about ready to be shipwrecked, but be of good cheer. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:42.720 For there shall be no loss of any man's life among you but the ship. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.799 You know what he's saying, guy? 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.799 Everybody, cheer up. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.639 The ship's gonna go down. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:50.799 But you're all gonna live. 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:56.399 Now, you've got to understand, marine merchant men are very superstitious. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:02.080 The ship's gonna break up, it's gonna go down, but Paul says, You're all gonna live. 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:18.799 Verse 23, for there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God hath given them all, or given thee all them that are sail with thee. 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:27.200 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:32.320 Now, do you understand there's probably some guys on that boat that don't believe in the God Paul believes in? 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:35.759 And Paul stands up and saying, hey guys, listen, everything's gonna be alright. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:42.960 The ship's gonna break up, but the angel whom I serve told me, y'all are gonna make it because I'm here with you. 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:48.799 And by the way, one other thing, verse 26, we must be cast upon a certain island. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:53.360 What's that statement in verse 26? 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.720 God's got a plan. 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:58.639 And God's gonna put us on an island because I have work to do there. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.480 Look over here, please. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.120 You know what? 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.399 That was trouble. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:16.000 And in the midst of trouble, Paul perceived of God that there was a plan, that there was something that God wanted him to do, and God chose the island and chose the timing and said, Paul, this is how you're gonna get there. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.600 Ship's gonna break up. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.759 Brethren, that's not bad luck. 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.679 That's God's ordained plan. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.840 And you know what happens? 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.159 They get on that island and look at chapter 28. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.039 Stay with me. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:29.440 Chapter 28, look at verse 3. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:35.679 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, laid them on the fire, there came out a viper out of the heat and fastened on his hand. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.480 Verse 4. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:44.080 When the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt, this man is a murderer. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.399 Somebody might say, What bad luck. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.960 Brethren, uh, I asked you a question. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:56.960 Who put the snake in the sticks? 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.759 Who allowed the snake to go in there? 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:02.399 Who allowed the snake to get on Paul's hand? 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:04.160 Who had it all set up? 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.240 Oh, come on. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.440 How can you believe that? 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:15.759 I believe God had it all set up because when Paul goes like this and shakes it off, they all look and say, it must be a God. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:18.240 He's not dead. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.720 What do you think that allows for? 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.680 You already know. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:24.880 The gospel to go forth with authority. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.559 Amen? 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:32.640 You see, brethren, God puts us in troubled situations sometimes because he has a plan. 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:35.440 He shakes off the beast in the fire, felt no harm. 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:43.200 Verse 6, howbeit they looked when he should have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but after they saw and looked a great while. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:49.359 Can't you just watch them looking at Paul, going, this guy, I mean, I don't know what the language is, but this guy should be dead. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:54.960 They changed their minds and said he was a God. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:18:02.240 Now, brethren, don't you know that in the three-month period that they were there on this island, a lot of people heard the gospel and probably some people got saved? 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:06.960 Now, I say all that to show you this. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:10.880 Stay in Acts chapter 20 and look at Philippians 1. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.839 Stay in Acts 20 and look at Philippians 1. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:20.160 Thank you for bearing with me just a little bit tonight. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:23.200 Philippians 1, Acts chapter 20. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.039 Look at Philippians 1. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.720 Everybody there? 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.480 Everybody there? 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:34.960 Don't, don't, don't be falling asleep on me. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:38.400 I just because I'm from a wheelchair, I can still see you. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:46.319 And I know I'm not walking back and forth and I'm not flipping the wheelchair up and doing wheelies and all that. 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.240 Yeah, um, later maybe. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.559 Alright. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.079 Philippians chapter 1. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:53.039 Now look at verse 12 with this in mind. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:56.000 But I would ye should what? 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.640 Say it. 00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:09.440 Understand who, brethren, saved ones, that the things which happen unto me have fallen out rather under the furtherance of the gospel. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.680 You know what Paul's mindset is? 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.799 Hey guys, listen. 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.400 Don't worry about me. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:18.000 Things that I go through, it seems like it always happens. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:22.880 And when it happens, the way it turns out is the gospel is furthered. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:31.119 Hey, you know, when I was on the island, man, that snake bit me and I shook it off, and the gospel was furthered. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:36.400 When I was in trouble and everybody wanted to kill me, man, I got to witness to Festus and his wife. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:38.160 I got to witness to Felix. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:43.119 I've got to witness to Agrippa, just because of all the trouble God allowed me to go through. 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:55.440 Man, when I was in that city, man, they were getting ready to kill me, and I was getting ready to be let off, and I asked for a chance to speak, and I stood on the steps, and in their own tongue I witnessed to the whole crowd. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:57.119 And the gospel was furthered. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.640 You see, you've got to understand something. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:08.720 My experience, brethren, is when things happen to me, it's not because of bad luck, it's because of God's ordained plan, and he wants the gospel to be furthered. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:14.000 Let me say, bring it to practicality, alright? 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.000 First thing this morning. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.759 I was able to go to the office for a while. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:28.960 Brother Shaver comes in and says, uh, Brother uh Ortiz, Alfredo, Paradise Valley Hospital, bleeding internally. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.599 He's still there tonight. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:34.160 As far as I know, he's not out of the woods yet, is he? 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.200 Is he doing okay? 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:35.920 Not yet. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.400 I see you. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:41.440 And he's bleeding internally, he has diabetes. 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.680 This happened four years ago. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:48.319 Some other things wrong with him on the inside, his liver, and some things. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:51.839 And tonight, if you want to pray for somebody, you know Alfredo? 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:54.799 He stood up here many, many, many times. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:21:07.119 Uh, a man that got saved, got lined out, uh, a former uh guy that drank a lot, got saved, got lined out for two years now, been been heavily, heavily leading our our uh our uh death ministry. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.960 And tonight he's laying in a hospital. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.160 Please look up here. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.440 In trouble. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:17.759 It's not a bad luck day. 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.720 It's not bad luck. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:24.240 We don't suppose that he must have been a murderer. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.519 You know what I suppose? 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:29.039 He's in God's will. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:34.640 And somebody needs to be witnessed to, and somehow the gospel needs to be furthered. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.359 Amen? 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.680 He is God's child. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.319 I appreciate you that have gone down. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.599 I know Brother Knight and Mrs. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:49.200 uh Liz and B and many of y'all down there uh early and staying with him. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.319 We ought to give them encouragement and support right now. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:57.359 I mean, he's he's an ICU, and they're they pumping blood into him. 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.680 That's 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.880 Dangerous enough. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:09.759 Tomorrow if you get a chance and you could uh you know, I guess you could call and tell Susan you're you're praying for 'em. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:12.480 Don't inundate them, but but wouldn't hurt. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:17.519 If you go visit them, give 'em, give her five minutes and just say, Pastor told us about us last night. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:20.000 I'm just here to let you know that we're for you. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:23.039 But God knows exactly what's going on. 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:26.960 And if God's not done with Alfredo, Alfredo's going nowhere. 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.039 Amen? 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:32.480 And if God is done with Alfredo, he's going to heaven. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.240 Now you say, don't say that. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.839 It's bad luck. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.359 You'll jinx it. 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:41.279 You can't jinx God. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.720 You can't bad luck God. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.559 Amen? 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.079 I know this. 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:52.960 My wife is laying in Samoa. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:23:08.720 She just had doctors look at her, diagnose her wrongly, cut her open, find out that they were wrong, and went, oops, let's sew her back up quick. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:13.359 And let's hope the baby doesn't abort. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:18.720 She goes to Tripler Army Hospital. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:21.359 She's there for a month, bordering on death. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:26.640 She gets back to the States, and now that whole thing, we have a child named Eric. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.400 What are you saying? 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:32.640 Even the doctors couldn't mess it up. 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:38.079 Now I'm not blasting physicians, but please look up here. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:40.960 You say, well, man, we got a bad deal on a physician. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:44.319 Even if you get a bad deal, God knows what's going on. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.599 Look up here. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:49.759 I'm not saying anything about physicians, but they're just men and women. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:53.759 And if they make a mistake, God's not. 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:56.160 That doesn't mean, oh, oh man. 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:59.519 Gabriel, did you see what happened down there? 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:05.119 Did you see that what that guy did? 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.279 He just messed up one of my children. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:10.319 God knows all that. 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.599 Amen? 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:18.880 I'm not trying to make light of the situation, but I'm saying, yes, God gives the doctors wisdom, and we ought to pray for that. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.440 Give them wisdom on what to do. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:33.599 Man, I've been in enough bedsides and surgeries and recoveries that noncoincidentally the doctor saw something along the way and it just went well. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:37.839 And I've heard doctors say it was a miracle. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.759 Well, that's what Alfredo needs tonight. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.480 But it wasn't bad luck. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:47.039 It was God's timing. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.960 Well, you say, what else does it do? 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.960 Look at verse 12 again. 00:24:53.200 --> 00:25:02.000 I would you should understand, brethren, that the things which happen to me have fallen out rather under the furtherance of the gospel. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.599 Look at verse 13. 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:07.920