Your Move with Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley - Miracles: Then and Now (Part 2)

April 26, 2025 | 28:29

Your Move with Andy Stanley — to help people make better decisions and live with fewer regrets.

#Faith #TrustGod #WalkwithGod #LoveofGod #Religion #Miracles #AndyStanley

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Your Move with Andy Stanley | Andy Stanley - Miracles: Then and Now (Part 2) | April 26, 2025

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.385
Andy stanley: hi, everybody.
00:00:00.885 --> 00:00:02.087
Welcome to "your move" where we help you make better decisions
00:00:02.187 --> 00:00:03.555
And live with fewer regrets.
00:00:03.688 --> 00:00:04.889
I'm andy stanley, and i'll be your guide.
00:00:05.023 --> 00:00:06.257
So have you ever needed a miracle, asked god for a
00:00:06.391 --> 00:00:09.694
Miracle, and nothing?
00:00:09.828 --> 00:00:11.863
And did it leave you wondering if god even still performs
00:00:11.996 --> 00:00:14.232
Miracles, and if so why didn't you get yours?
00:00:14.365 --> 00:00:17.669
Maybe you were asking wrong or maybe you were praying wrong, or
00:00:17.769 --> 00:00:20.738
Were you believing wrong or maybe just not believing enough?
00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:23.274
If that has been your experience or the experience of someone
00:00:23.374 --> 00:00:26.678
Close to you, stick around because today we are tackling
00:00:26.811 --> 00:00:29.447
The big questions about miracles right here on "your move."
00:00:29.547 --> 00:00:33.384
♪♪♪
00:00:33.818 --> 00:00:34.219
Andy: if you're joining us for the first time or maybe the
00:00:38.456 --> 00:00:40.592
First time in a long time, today is actually the second part of a
00:00:40.592 --> 00:00:43.895
Four-part series entitled "miracles: then and now,"
00:00:43.895 --> 00:00:47.098
Miracles then and now.
00:00:47.098 --> 00:00:48.466
And if you're not a particularly religious person or from a
00:00:48.466 --> 00:00:51.936
Different faith tradition or you used to be a person of faith but
00:00:51.936 --> 00:00:54.539
You kind of drifted away and you're like, "well, i'm--this
00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:57.308
Isn't a series for me 'cause i don't really believe in
00:00:57.308 --> 00:00:59.310
Miracles," if you're skeptical about miracles, you should be.
00:00:59.310 --> 00:01:03.648
You have good reason to be skeptical of miracles because a
00:01:03.648 --> 00:01:06.384
Miracle is not just something that's unusual.
00:01:06.384 --> 00:01:10.889
A hole in one, you know, that's unusual, but that's not
00:01:10.889 --> 00:01:13.892
A miracle.
00:01:13.892 --> 00:01:15.393
He actually remembers your birthday?
00:01:15.393 --> 00:01:17.862
Okay, it feels like a miracle, but it's not really a miracle.
00:01:17.862 --> 00:01:20.932
That's just unusual.
00:01:20.932 --> 00:01:22.267
Miracles are hard to believe in because they're not just things
00:01:22.267 --> 00:01:26.571
That are unusual.
00:01:26.571 --> 00:01:27.906
Miracles are actually impossible.
00:01:27.906 --> 00:01:29.974
So if you're skeptical, you should be.
00:01:29.974 --> 00:01:31.976
You haven't checked your brain at the door.
00:01:31.976 --> 00:01:34.212
And i say that they're impossible because a miracle by
00:01:34.212 --> 00:01:36.447
Definition--and this is my little, short definition i
00:01:36.447 --> 00:01:38.883
Made up.
00:01:38.883 --> 00:01:40.218
If you weren't--if you were here last week, you'll remember this.
00:01:40.218 --> 00:01:41.853
A miracle is actually a temporary suspension or reversal
00:01:41.853 --> 00:01:45.757
Of the laws of nature.
00:01:45.757 --> 00:01:47.125
That's what a miracle is.
00:01:47.125 --> 00:01:48.893
The laws of nature govern our universe, and our universe is
00:01:48.893 --> 00:01:52.931
All we know.
00:01:52.931 --> 00:01:54.265
The laws of nature are what makes science possible.
00:01:54.265 --> 00:01:56.634
It's what makes the world somewhat predictable.
00:01:56.634 --> 00:01:59.637
It's why we know how to respond to certain things because
00:01:59.637 --> 00:02:01.773
Certain things happens all the time.
00:02:01.773 --> 00:02:03.308
We're kind of locked in to the laws of nature.
00:02:03.308 --> 00:02:05.677
So to reject the notion of a miracle is completely
00:02:05.677 --> 00:02:09.147
Understandable and completely rational and completely logical.
00:02:09.147 --> 00:02:11.950
So there's nothing wrong with you if you're skeptical
00:02:11.950 --> 00:02:14.285
About miracles.
00:02:14.285 --> 00:02:15.954
But in spite of all what i just said, from the very beginning of
00:02:15.954 --> 00:02:20.592
Christianity--and christianity, by the way, began with christ.
00:02:20.592 --> 00:02:23.761
It's why it's christianity.
00:02:23.761 --> 00:02:25.096
From the very beginning of christianity, christians have
00:02:25.096 --> 00:02:28.366
Believed that miracles are in fact possible, and the reason we
00:02:28.366 --> 00:02:33.338
Believe miracles are possible is because we believe in a god as
00:02:33.338 --> 00:02:37.175
Represented to by--and presented to us by jesus.
00:02:37.175 --> 00:02:40.378
We believe in a god that created the universe and created the
00:02:40.378 --> 00:02:43.181
Laws of nature, and because he created the laws of nature he is
00:02:43.181 --> 00:02:47.185
Outside of the laws of nature and reserves the right to
00:02:47.185 --> 00:02:50.655
Interrupt his own rules and his own laws as he and when he
00:02:50.655 --> 00:02:54.926
Sees fit.
00:02:54.926 --> 00:02:56.294
So if you missed part one, that's what part one was
00:02:56.294 --> 00:02:58.029
All about.
00:02:58.029 --> 00:02:59.364
And if you missed part one, you really need to go back and watch
00:02:59.364 --> 00:03:01.232
Or listen to it because it really is the foundation of
00:03:01.232 --> 00:03:02.734
Where we're going from now.
00:03:02.734 --> 00:03:04.068
So at the end of last week we ended with this.
00:03:04.068 --> 00:03:06.638
We asked the question, how many miracles do you have to believe
00:03:06.638 --> 00:03:09.674
In in order to be a jesus follower?
00:03:09.674 --> 00:03:11.709
And i made the case last week that miracles are in
00:03:11.709 --> 00:03:13.811
Fact possible.
00:03:13.811 --> 00:03:15.146
And the two miracles that you pretty much have to grapple with
00:03:15.146 --> 00:03:17.915
If you're going to become a jesus follower is, number one,
00:03:17.915 --> 00:03:20.418
The miracle of the universe, which is the foundation for why
00:03:20.418 --> 00:03:23.688
We believe in god to begin with.
00:03:23.688 --> 00:03:25.356
That there was nothing and then there was something, and
00:03:25.356 --> 00:03:27.692
Something can't from--come from nothing.
00:03:27.692 --> 00:03:29.260
Nothing ever could unless something created itself, which
00:03:29.260 --> 00:03:31.396
Means it preceded itself.
00:03:31.396 --> 00:03:32.764
If something precedes itself and creates itself, that's a
00:03:32.764 --> 00:03:35.967
Miracle, okay?
00:03:35.967 --> 00:03:37.302
So you're kind of stuck with that one.
00:03:37.302 --> 00:03:38.670
The second miracle we said that eventually you kind of have to
00:03:38.670 --> 00:03:41.406
Grapple with to follow jesus is the miracle of the resurrection
00:03:41.406 --> 00:03:44.542
Of jesus because this is the foundation of our faith.
00:03:44.542 --> 00:03:47.445
Now, if you're a christian or jesus follower or even a
00:03:47.445 --> 00:03:50.748
Somewhat religious person, you probably don't have a problem
00:03:50.748 --> 00:03:54.485
With either of those.
00:03:54.485 --> 00:03:55.820
That's not why you're interested in this series.
00:03:55.820 --> 00:03:57.588
I mean, that's not what you want to hear.
00:03:57.588 --> 00:03:59.924
If you don't have a problem with either of those, your question
00:03:59.924 --> 00:04:03.127
Is, i've read your mind, and my question is--it's the
00:04:03.127 --> 00:04:06.030
Same question.
00:04:06.030 --> 00:04:07.398
That's how--why i know what your question is.
00:04:07.398 --> 00:04:08.733
Your question and my question is this: "how do i get me
00:04:08.733 --> 00:04:12.103
One, okay?
00:04:12.103 --> 00:04:13.438
I just--okay, i believe they're possible.
00:04:13.438 --> 00:04:15.406
I just want to get one.
00:04:15.406 --> 00:04:16.774
So, andy, you're talking about miracles.
00:04:16.774 --> 00:04:18.543
Tell me how to get me one.
00:04:18.543 --> 00:04:19.877
What's the formula?
00:04:19.877 --> 00:04:21.245
What's the code?
00:04:21.245 --> 00:04:22.580
Is there, like, a pin number?
00:04:22.580 --> 00:04:23.948
Is there a password?"
00:04:23.948 --> 00:04:25.283
We're attracted to the formulas not because we want something
00:04:25.283 --> 00:04:27.218
For god, it's because, let's be honest, we want something
00:04:27.218 --> 00:04:29.954
From god.
00:04:29.954 --> 00:04:31.723
And let's be honest, too.
00:04:31.723 --> 00:04:33.491
Sometimes we want something from god for someone else.
00:04:33.491 --> 00:04:37.729
But when you follow jesus through the gospels--and the
00:04:37.729 --> 00:04:41.265
Reason i say that phrase to you all the time is if you want to
00:04:41.265 --> 00:04:43.634
Know what god is like you follow jesus through the gospels
00:04:43.634 --> 00:04:46.170
Because he came to reveal god.
00:04:46.170 --> 00:04:48.039
Before jesus, it's just shadows.
00:04:48.039 --> 00:04:50.375
Jesus shows up and the shadow just goes away 'cause the shadow
00:04:50.375 --> 00:04:53.511
Caster has appeared.
00:04:53.511 --> 00:04:54.846
The king is on planet earth.
00:04:54.846 --> 00:04:56.214
So follow jesus through the gospels or/and follow the
00:04:56.214 --> 00:04:59.884
Apostles through the book of acts.
00:04:59.884 --> 00:05:01.753
The apostles are the people that came along after jesus and
00:05:01.753 --> 00:05:03.955
Spread the gospel.
00:05:03.955 --> 00:05:05.289
Follow jesus through the gospels, follow the apostles
00:05:05.289 --> 00:05:06.991
Through the book of acts and one thing is absolutely clear.
00:05:06.991 --> 00:05:11.362
There's no formula, there's no password, there's no pin number,
00:05:11.362 --> 00:05:16.067
There's no if i do god must do, and there's no measure of faith
00:05:16.067 --> 00:05:21.272
That forces god to do your bidding or to do my bidding.
00:05:21.272 --> 00:05:25.510
At the end of the day, it's so clear from the new testament in
00:05:25.510 --> 00:05:28.179
Particular and the old testament, but the new testament
00:05:28.179 --> 00:05:30.148
In particular, that miracles are at god's discretion to further
00:05:30.148 --> 00:05:34.986
God's purposes, that miracles are at god's discretion to
00:05:34.986 --> 00:05:39.257
Further god's purposes.
00:05:39.257 --> 00:05:41.259
And from a human perspective, and that's a--that's the
00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:43.895
De--that's the qualifier.
00:05:43.895 --> 00:05:45.229
From a human perspective--i don't want to be misunderstood.
00:05:45.229 --> 00:05:47.064
From a human perspective, as you read the new testament and the
00:05:47.064 --> 00:05:50.301
Old testament, god is gloriously,
00:05:50.301 --> 00:05:54.539
Infuriatingly inconsistent.
00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:58.009
That god is gloriously, it's like wow, infuriatingly, it's
00:05:58.009 --> 00:06:01.512
Like inconsistent.
00:06:01.512 --> 00:06:04.782
But the men and women who experienced his inconsistency
00:06:04.782 --> 00:06:10.154
Firsthand, close up, front row seat, they remained faithful
00:06:10.154 --> 00:06:16.194
Anyway because their faith was not anchored to god's
00:06:16.194 --> 00:06:19.564
Willingness to intervene on their personal behalf and their
00:06:19.564 --> 00:06:22.633
Faith wasn't anchored to god's willingness to intervene on the
00:06:22.633 --> 00:06:26.070
Pa--on behalf of the people they cared about and loved.
00:06:26.070 --> 00:06:28.840
Their faith was anchored to the reality--you ready for this?
00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:31.809
Their faith was anchored to the reality that god had already
00:06:31.809 --> 00:06:35.046
Done something on their behalf and on behalf of the world
00:06:35.046 --> 00:06:38.816
Because he sent his son into this world to explain what god
00:06:38.816 --> 00:06:42.153
Is like, to pay for our sin, and to break down the wall, the
00:06:42.153 --> 00:06:45.890
Barrier between us and our father in heaven.
00:06:45.890 --> 00:06:48.693
And god--jesus came and invited us to relate to god not as a,
00:06:48.693 --> 00:06:53.231
You know, intangible sovereign but as a heavenly father.
00:06:53.231 --> 00:06:58.069
Now, one new testament narrative, i think, illustrates
00:06:58.069 --> 00:07:02.206
This perfectly.
00:07:02.206 --> 00:07:03.574
It's confusing.
00:07:03.574 --> 00:07:04.909
It's chaotic.
00:07:04.909 --> 00:07:06.244
It--there's so much going on, and at the end of it i think it
00:07:06.244 --> 00:07:08.913
Perfectly illustrates this tension that we live in because
00:07:08.913 --> 00:07:11.916
It is a tension.
00:07:11.916 --> 00:07:13.651
So here's what happened.
00:07:13.651 --> 00:07:14.986
Following the resurrection of jesus, jesus's closest apostles
00:07:14.986 --> 00:07:18.155
And disciples--the disciples were kind of the outer ring, the
00:07:18.155 --> 00:07:20.258
Apostles the inner ring.
00:07:20.258 --> 00:07:21.592
They go into the streets of jerusalem where all these events
00:07:21.592 --> 00:07:24.195
Took place and they begin to proclaim, "god has done
00:07:24.195 --> 00:07:27.131
Something for the world and god has done something in the world.
00:07:27.131 --> 00:07:29.700
He sent his messiah."
00:07:29.700 --> 00:07:31.335
They draw a crowd, and they're so direct.
00:07:31.335 --> 00:07:33.671
I mean, they're so direct in the book of acts.
00:07:33.671 --> 00:07:35.573
They say to the crowd, "you crucified the messiah, and god
00:07:35.573 --> 00:07:40.778
Raised him, and we've seen him.
00:07:40.778 --> 00:07:43.548
Now, repent.
00:07:43.548 --> 00:07:44.882
You know, god--you killed him.
00:07:44.882 --> 00:07:46.984
God raised him.
00:07:46.984 --> 00:07:48.319
We've seen him.
00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:49.687
Admit that you were wrong."
00:07:49.687 --> 00:07:51.022
And people realize that jesus has risen from the dead because
00:07:51.022 --> 00:07:54.325
The eyewitnesses of the resurrection and the church is
00:07:54.325 --> 00:07:57.194
Born right there in jerusalem, and immediately there's
00:07:57.194 --> 00:08:01.032
Resistance from the same religious leaders and the
00:08:01.032 --> 00:08:03.968
Government that had jesus crucified to begin with.
00:08:03.968 --> 00:08:06.637
They think they're done with this nazarene cult.
00:08:06.637 --> 00:08:09.006
Next thing you know, it is back, and they're celebrating the
00:08:09.006 --> 00:08:11.409
Resurrection of this king, this false king jesus.
00:08:11.409 --> 00:08:14.946
So one of the spokespeople early on in this movement was a man
00:08:14.946 --> 00:08:18.583
Named stephen.
00:08:18.583 --> 00:08:19.917
Probably heard of stephen.
00:08:19.917 --> 00:08:21.285
And stephen was a powerful communicator, and he so
00:08:21.285 --> 00:08:23.421
Infuriated the religious leaders they take him--
00:08:23.421 --> 00:08:26.357
They don't take him to pilate to get permission to execute him,
00:08:26.357 --> 00:08:29.493
They just drag him outside the city gates and they stone
00:08:29.493 --> 00:08:32.363
Stephen to death.
00:08:32.363 --> 00:08:33.731
And rome turns a blind eye, and it is open season on the
00:08:33.731 --> 00:08:37.935
Jesus followers.
00:08:37.935 --> 00:08:40.638
No miracle for stephen, this powerful communicator.
00:08:40.638 --> 00:08:44.275
Worse, it--his death actually triggered a local persecution.
00:08:44.275 --> 00:08:48.279
In fact, luke in the book of acts, luke wrote the book of
00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:51.148
Acts, says that on that very day that a local persecution broke
00:08:51.148 --> 00:08:55.453
Out against the church, which--and here's kind of the
00:08:55.453 --> 00:08:58.022
Twist and turn of the story of christianity, which is your
00:08:58.022 --> 00:09:00.725
Story if you're a christian.
00:09:00.725 --> 00:09:02.193
Which that persecution, as it turned out, actually furthered
00:09:02.193 --> 00:09:06.964
The purposes of god.
00:09:06.964 --> 00:09:11.068
Here's what happened.
00:09:11.068 --> 00:09:12.436
Here's what luke tells us.
00:09:12.436 --> 00:09:13.771
He says, "now those who had been scattered by the persecution--"
00:09:13.771 --> 00:09:16.607
So if you're a christian and people know you're a jesus
00:09:16.607 --> 00:09:18.409
Follower, you had to leave town.
00:09:18.409 --> 00:09:19.844
So they're fleeing for their lives, don't miss this, but
00:09:19.844 --> 00:09:23.214
They're not fleeing from their faith.
00:09:23.214 --> 00:09:25.149
They take their faith with them.
00:09:25.149 --> 00:09:26.517
This is amazing.
00:09:26.517 --> 00:09:27.852
"those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out
00:09:27.852 --> 00:09:29.553
When stephen was killed," when he was stoned, "they traveled as
00:09:29.553 --> 00:09:32.323
Far as phoenicia, cyprus and antioch--" antioch's like 350
00:09:32.323 --> 00:09:36.427
Miles away from jude--from jerusalem.
00:09:36.427 --> 00:09:39.196
So this is, like--they didn't just, like, go right outside the
00:09:39.196 --> 00:09:41.799
Edge of town.
00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:43.167
They fled.
00:09:43.167 --> 00:09:44.502
"antioch, spreading the word about jesus but only to jews."
00:09:44.502 --> 00:09:48.039
Because the initial christian movement, jesus movement was--it
00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:51.008
Was all jews.
00:09:51.008 --> 00:09:52.376
So they went to these cities, they went to these regions, and
00:09:52.376 --> 00:09:55.680
They found the jewish population there and they said,
00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:58.516
"we're here."
00:09:58.516 --> 00:09:59.850
And the jewish people took them in 'cause family is family.
00:09:59.850 --> 00:10:01.385
They're all sons and daughters of abraham.
00:10:01.385 --> 00:10:02.820
They're like, "god has done something in the world.
00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:05.289
God has sent the messiah."
00:10:05.289 --> 00:10:07.425
And some of these jewish people believe.
00:10:07.425 --> 00:10:09.994
But the next verse--listen to the next verse.
00:10:09.994 --> 00:10:12.263
"some of them, however," luke tells us--some of them, however,
00:10:12.263 --> 00:10:15.299
Men from cyprus and cyrene, they went to antioch and they began
00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:19.303
To speak to the non-jewish people, the greek community
00:10:19.303 --> 00:10:22.673
Also, telling them the good news about the lord jesus.
00:10:22.673 --> 00:10:26.944
And the lord's hand was with these--the lord's hand was on
00:10:26.944 --> 00:10:29.980
These men, and a great number of people believed and turned to
00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:34.085
The lord.
00:10:34.085 --> 00:10:35.519
So you have something great, the resurrection; you have something
00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:37.955
Bad, the persecution; you have something bad, the stoning of
00:10:37.955 --> 00:10:40.191
Stephen; you have something bad, the persecution that spreads
00:10:40.191 --> 00:10:42.827
Everybody out.
00:10:42.827 --> 00:10:44.161
As a result of being spread out, people in all these different
00:10:44.161 --> 00:10:45.830
Regions hear about jesus and put their faith in jesus and a great
00:10:45.830 --> 00:10:48.933
Number of non-jewish people turn to the lord jesus in faith,
00:10:48.933 --> 00:10:53.070
Which means now thanks to the persecution and the stoning of
00:10:53.070 --> 00:10:56.107
Stephen which launched the persecution, the wall between
00:10:56.107 --> 00:10:59.577
Jews and greeks has been breached with the message
00:10:59.577 --> 00:11:02.546
Of jesus.
00:11:02.546 --> 00:11:05.683
Gloriously, frustratingly, inconsistent, but this is your
00:11:05.683 --> 00:11:11.655
Story, this is my story.
00:11:11.655 --> 00:11:13.023
This is how god works, which means when you face this kind of
00:11:13.023 --> 00:11:16.393
Inconsistency personally, it's okay.
00:11:16.393 --> 00:11:20.631
You're not the first.
00:11:20.631 --> 00:11:22.199
We won't be the last.
00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:23.534
Anyway, back to the story.
00:11:23.534 --> 00:11:24.902
Meanwhile, back in judea, okay, it's about this time story
00:11:24.902 --> 00:11:28.572
Starts taking on a little bit different angle.
00:11:28.572 --> 00:11:30.674
"it was about this time that king herod (agrippa)--" i have
00:11:30.674 --> 00:11:33.978
To tell you who he is real quick.
00:11:33.978 --> 00:11:35.446
King herod agrippa, i added this, it's not in the text, he
00:11:35.446 --> 00:11:38.215
Is the grandson of the famous herod the great.
00:11:38.215 --> 00:11:41.385
Herod the great built or rebuilt the temple in jerusalem.
00:11:41.385 --> 00:11:43.788
If you go to jerusalem today, you'd see that temple mount.
00:11:43.788 --> 00:11:45.890
Herod built and rebuilt that.
00:11:45.890 --> 00:11:47.424
And king herod agrippa is the last jewish king of judea, but
00:11:47.424 --> 00:11:53.164
He doesn't know that at the time, okay?
00:11:53.164 --> 00:11:55.599
So he is the final king.
00:11:55.599 --> 00:11:56.934
So that's who king herod agrippa is.
00:11:56.934 --> 00:11:58.502
And he was somewhat jewish 'cause there's a mixed heritage.
00:11:58.502 --> 00:12:01.906
But anyway, he was considered a jew, jewish king.
00:12:01.906 --> 00:12:04.875
"it was about this time that king herod (agrippa)
00:12:04.875 --> 00:12:07.278
Arrested some who belonged to the church," the ecclesia, the
00:12:07.278 --> 00:12:11.382
Movement of jesus, "intending to persecute them."
00:12:11.382 --> 00:12:14.885
So you've got the religious leaders persecuting the
00:12:14.885 --> 00:12:17.354
Christians, and now the government gets involved.
00:12:17.354 --> 00:12:21.025
And king herod agrippa had james the brother of john arrested and
00:12:21.025 --> 00:12:27.498
Put to death with the sword, one of the original four of the guys
00:12:27.498 --> 00:12:32.269
That jesus called.
00:12:32.269 --> 00:12:33.938
And this sends shock waves through the christian community
00:12:33.938 --> 00:12:38.309
At that time.
00:12:38.309 --> 00:12:39.910
No miracle for james.
00:12:39.910 --> 00:12:42.446
His brother john, do you know what happens to him?
00:12:42.446 --> 00:12:44.782
He is the only one of jesus's original 12 apart from judas
00:12:44.782 --> 00:12:48.485
That actually wasn't--oh, judas wasn't a martyr.
00:12:48.485 --> 00:12:50.754
He was the only one that wasn't a martyr.
00:12:50.754 --> 00:12:52.456
And john, james's brother, lived to be a very, very old man.
00:12:52.456 --> 00:12:57.428
God's wondrous, confusing, infuriating inconsistency.
00:12:57.428 --> 00:13:02.733
"when king herod saw that this," beheading or having james put to
00:13:02.733 --> 00:13:08.439
Death--he was probably beheaded with the sword.
00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:10.241
"when king herod saw that this met with approval among the
00:13:10.241 --> 00:13:12.576
Leaders--" because there's conflict, there's internal
00:13:12.576 --> 00:13:14.678
Conflict between the religious temple leaders and king herod,
00:13:14.678 --> 00:13:17.414
Even though they're jewish, they're--he's saying, "oh, wow,
00:13:17.414 --> 00:13:19.483
I just--this felt like a favor to the people i'm having
00:13:19.483 --> 00:13:22.686
Conflict with."
00:13:22.686 --> 00:13:24.021
He decides, "well, hey, let's just do some more."
00:13:24.021 --> 00:13:26.290
He just took down one of the original 12, james the brother
00:13:26.290 --> 00:13:29.593
Of john, one of jesus's, you know, first four followers, and
00:13:29.593 --> 00:13:32.329
He's thinking, "well, if the leaders thought that was a big
00:13:32.329 --> 00:13:35.266
Deal, let's go for a really big deal.
00:13:35.266 --> 00:13:37.801
Let's go for the big prize.
00:13:37.801 --> 00:13:40.004
Let's go for the big fish."
00:13:40.004 --> 00:13:42.907
"he proceeded to seize peter also."
00:13:42.907 --> 00:13:47.711
Now, at this point in the life of the church, peter is
00:13:47.711 --> 00:13:51.048
The leader.
00:13:51.048 --> 00:13:52.416
Peter the leader, okay?
00:13:52.416 --> 00:13:53.751
Peter is the leader.
00:13:53.751 --> 00:13:55.119
"so if we get rid of peter--i mean, we got rid of their leader
00:13:55.119 --> 00:13:57.187
Jesus, but this movement wouldn't die.
00:13:57.187 --> 00:13:59.189
So surely if we take peter out, this thing is going to go away
00:13:59.189 --> 00:14:03.260
Once and for all.
00:14:03.260 --> 00:14:05.462
This troublesome cult will finally die."
00:14:05.462 --> 00:14:08.565
Now, here's what happens.
00:14:08.565 --> 00:14:09.934
So he decides, "let's get peter."
00:14:09.934 --> 00:14:11.268
He sends his men.
00:14:11.268 --> 00:14:12.603
They find peter somewhere in the city.
00:14:12.603 --> 00:14:13.971
They arrest peter.
00:14:13.971 --> 00:14:15.306
After arresting peter, herod agrippa, king herod agrippa put
00:14:15.306 --> 00:14:18.876
Him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by--this is
00:14:18.876 --> 00:14:23.013
Amazing, and so much detail.
00:14:23.013 --> 00:14:24.348
Luke was all about the detail because this is history.
00:14:24.348 --> 00:14:26.617
This isn't once upon a time in a land far, far away, right?
00:14:26.617 --> 00:14:29.920
He handed him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers,
00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:34.625
Which meant 24/7 there were four soldiers guarding peter because
00:14:34.625 --> 00:14:40.397
He was a big fish.
00:14:40.397 --> 00:14:41.966
He was a big catch.
00:14:41.966 --> 00:14:43.367
This was a big deal.
00:14:43.367 --> 00:14:44.902
"herod intended to bring peter out for public trial--"
00:14:44.902 --> 00:14:48.706
Which means public execution.
00:14:48.706 --> 00:14:50.107
That's what that really means.
00:14:50.107 --> 00:14:51.475
Public trial and public execution after passover.
00:14:51.475 --> 00:14:54.411
So passover arrives or passover is happening at this time, and
00:14:54.411 --> 00:14:57.815
He's like, "the city is full of people from all over
00:14:57.815 --> 00:14:59.984
The regions.
00:14:59.984 --> 00:15:01.352
I don't want to cause any more trouble than there already is
00:15:01.352 --> 00:15:02.953
During passover.
00:15:02.953 --> 00:15:04.288
So i'm going to wait for passover, i'm going to bring
00:15:04.288 --> 00:15:05.756
Peter out, and then peter is going to suffer the same fate
00:15:05.756 --> 00:15:09.126
As james.
00:15:09.126 --> 00:15:10.461
He's going to be--probably be beheaded and maybe publicly.
00:15:10.461 --> 00:15:13.230
Now, you got the government involved.
00:15:13.230 --> 00:15:14.999
We don't need to go to pilate.
00:15:14.999 --> 00:15:16.433
We just going to handle this ourself."
00:15:16.433 --> 00:15:19.970
But the church.
00:15:19.970 --> 00:15:23.374
But the jesus followers.
00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.742
But the church was gathered together in a home, we find
00:15:24.742 --> 00:15:27.644
Out later.
00:15:27.644 --> 00:15:28.979
Gathered together in a home, earnestly praying to god for him
00:15:28.979 --> 00:15:32.316
Because peter needs a miracle.
00:15:32.316 --> 00:15:35.119
And days go by.
00:15:35.119 --> 00:15:36.453
Finally passover ends, and they're waiting.
00:15:36.453 --> 00:15:38.155
At any day herod could decide, "today's the day."
00:15:38.155 --> 00:15:41.825
So the night before, the night before herod decides to bring
00:15:41.825 --> 00:15:45.129
Peter out and execute him, the night before herod was to bring
00:15:45.129 --> 00:15:47.898
Peter out for trial and for execution, peter was sleeping.
00:15:47.898 --> 00:15:52.703
That's a miracle, okay?
00:15:52.703 --> 00:15:54.304
"peter was sleeping between two soldiers--" get this.
00:15:54.304 --> 00:15:57.541
This is what a high value prisoner he was.
00:15:57.541 --> 00:15:59.877
"bound with two chains and two sentries stood guard at
00:15:59.877 --> 00:16:03.914
The entrance."
00:16:03.914 --> 00:16:05.282
So at all times, peter is chained wrist to wrist with two
00:16:05.282 --> 00:16:08.452
Different of herod's guards.
00:16:08.452 --> 00:16:09.887
That's how of herod--concerned herod was that somebody was
00:16:09.887 --> 00:16:12.556
Going to try to break him out and free him because he was such
00:16:12.556 --> 00:16:14.625
A high value prisoner.
00:16:14.625 --> 00:16:17.094
And suddenly.
00:16:17.094 --> 00:16:18.729
"suddenly an angel of the lord appeared and a light shone in
00:16:18.729 --> 00:16:21.899
The cell."
00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.233
But the light didn't bring--wake peter up.
00:16:23.233 --> 00:16:25.469
So the angel--such interesting detail.
00:16:25.469 --> 00:16:27.371
And luke knows this 'cause peter tells him the story.
00:16:27.371 --> 00:16:30.808
"he struck peter on the side and woke him up.
00:16:30.808 --> 00:16:34.044
'quick,' he says, 'get up.'
00:16:34.044 --> 00:16:35.612
And the chains fell off of peter's wrists."
00:16:35.612 --> 00:16:40.951
Now, when peter tells this story, here's what peter
00:16:40.951 --> 00:16:43.654
Says happened.
00:16:43.654 --> 00:16:45.022
Peter says, "i thought i was dreaming.
00:16:45.022 --> 00:16:46.657
And next thing i know, i am standing outside the prison in
00:16:46.657 --> 00:16:50.828
The street in the middle of the night all by myself."
00:16:50.828 --> 00:16:54.064
And he heads to the only place i know--i guess he knew to go.
00:16:54.064 --> 00:16:57.401
He had--he knew where the christians were gathered,
00:16:57.401 --> 00:16:59.403
Praying because there was a woman who had a large home and
00:16:59.403 --> 00:17:02.573
She welcomed--the church was meeting there.
00:17:02.573 --> 00:17:04.274
Part of that church was meeting there.
00:17:04.274 --> 00:17:05.676
And so she goes there.
00:17:05.676 --> 00:17:07.211
And she has a son, by the way, named john mark.
00:17:07.211 --> 00:17:10.013
And in this home where she hosted the christians, the text
00:17:10.013 --> 00:17:14.151
Tells us that many people were gathered.
00:17:14.151 --> 00:17:16.286
They were praying.
00:17:16.286 --> 00:17:17.621
Remember a minute ago i said the church began praying, "peter
00:17:17.621 --> 00:17:19.623
Needs a miracle.
00:17:19.623 --> 00:17:20.991
Peter needs a miracle."
00:17:20.991 --> 00:17:22.326
This is where they were praying.
00:17:22.326 --> 00:17:23.694
And then this story takes an interesting twist.
00:17:23.694 --> 00:17:25.429
So peter gets to this home middle of the night all by
00:17:25.429 --> 00:17:27.598
Himself, middle of the street, and he knocks on the door.
00:17:27.598 --> 00:17:29.766
"peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named
00:17:29.766 --> 00:17:32.603
Rhoda--" it's so interesting that luke gives us this name of
00:17:32.603 --> 00:17:35.506
A servant.
00:17:35.506 --> 00:17:37.641
"named rhoda came to answer the door."
00:17:37.641 --> 00:17:40.077
"i mean, who's knocking on the door in the middle of the night?
00:17:40.077 --> 00:17:41.812
This is not a good sign.
00:17:41.812 --> 00:17:43.147
Everybody, ssh.
00:17:43.147 --> 00:17:44.481
Lights out.
00:17:44.481 --> 00:17:45.816
Candles out, right?
00:17:45.816 --> 00:17:47.151
Oil lamps out.
00:17:47.151 --> 00:17:48.519
You know, they found--have they found us?"
00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.853
Imagine how afraid they were.
00:17:49.853 --> 00:17:51.188
And so peter's knocking.
00:17:51.188 --> 00:17:52.523
Nobody's coming to the door 'cause it's like shh.
00:17:52.523 --> 00:17:53.857
And peter starts yelling, "hey, hey, it's peter."
00:17:53.857 --> 00:17:57.828
When she heard--this is so funny.
00:17:57.828 --> 00:17:59.263
"when she recognized peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she
00:17:59.263 --> 00:18:03.233
Ran back without opening the door and exclaimed to the whole
00:18:03.233 --> 00:18:06.303
Group, 'peter is at the door.'"
00:18:06.303 --> 00:18:10.274
Now, this is how you--that, i mean, the authors of scripture
00:18:10.274 --> 00:18:13.243
Are so honest, okay?
00:18:13.243 --> 00:18:15.145
They've been praying for a miracle.
00:18:15.145 --> 00:18:18.148
It happens.
00:18:18.148 --> 00:18:19.683
And how do they respond to rhoda?
00:18:19.683 --> 00:18:21.585
It's amazing.
00:18:21.585 --> 00:18:22.953
"'you're out of your mind,' they told her."
00:18:22.953 --> 00:18:25.556
"it can't be peter.
00:18:25.556 --> 00:18:26.890
Peter is in herod's prison cell.
00:18:26.890 --> 00:18:29.026
We're praying that he gets released.
00:18:29.026 --> 00:18:30.761
We know where he is.
00:18:30.761 --> 00:18:32.095
You're crazy.
00:18:32.095 --> 00:18:33.463
You're--it can't possibly be peter."
00:18:33.463 --> 00:18:35.299
Okay, they finally let peter in.
00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:37.968
This is the point.
00:18:37.968 --> 00:18:39.303
This is why i want to belabor this point.
00:18:39.303 --> 00:18:40.671
These are men and women who had seen the resurrected christ.
00:18:40.671 --> 00:18:46.243
They have been eyeball to eyeball with resurrected, you
00:18:46.243 --> 00:18:49.213
Know, post-crucifixion jesus, but even for them, miracles were
00:18:49.213 --> 00:18:54.985
Not a daily occurrence.
00:18:54.985 --> 00:18:56.787
Miracles were not predictable.
00:18:56.787 --> 00:18:58.722
They prayed and they asked, but no one knew the will and the
00:18:58.722 --> 00:19:01.458
Purposes of god.
00:19:01.458 --> 00:19:02.826
They were just like us, only they'd seen more than us.
00:19:02.826 --> 00:19:06.396
They had more reasons to expect god to perform a miracle than
00:19:06.396 --> 00:19:10.067
We do.
00:19:10.067 --> 00:19:11.435
They experienced the inconsistency.
00:19:11.435 --> 00:19:12.903
And this is where their story intersects with your story, and
00:19:12.903 --> 00:19:14.905
Your story, and my story.
00:19:14.905 --> 00:19:16.673
Their experience with god's seeming, from our perspective,
00:19:16.673 --> 00:19:20.711
Inconsistency, it was so personal and it was so painful.
00:19:20.711 --> 00:19:24.815
They had lost a friend and a brother to herod.
00:19:24.815 --> 00:19:29.186
They had lost a friend and a brother in christ, stephen, to
00:19:29.186 --> 00:19:33.023
The religious leaders, and yet they were so astonished when
00:19:33.023 --> 00:19:36.893
They saw peter standing there.
00:19:36.893 --> 00:19:39.329
The text says this.
00:19:39.329 --> 00:19:40.664
Exactly what i just said.
00:19:40.664 --> 00:19:42.299
"they were astonished."
00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.934
God answered their prayer, and they were astonished.
00:19:43.934 --> 00:19:46.036
Meanwhile, the music changes, more ominous music.
00:19:46.036 --> 00:19:49.139
"in the morning, there was no small commotion among the
00:19:49.139 --> 00:19:52.876
Soldiers as to what had become of peter."
00:19:52.876 --> 00:19:56.146
Because they're walking around with chain on their wrist and
00:19:56.146 --> 00:19:59.549
Nobody's on the other end of the chain.
00:19:59.549 --> 00:20:01.451
So you got some splainin' to do, right?
00:20:01.451 --> 00:20:03.453
"after herod--" 'cause, of course, herod came, "hey, today
00:20:03.453 --> 00:20:06.056
Is the day i want to bring peter out."
00:20:06.056 --> 00:20:07.391
They're like, "we don't know where peter is."
00:20:07.391 --> 00:20:08.759
"after herod had done a thorough search--had a thorough search
00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:11.161
Done--made for him and couldn't find him, he cross-examined the
00:20:11.161 --> 00:20:14.464
Guards and ordered that they be executed."
00:20:14.464 --> 00:20:21.038
Here's the aftermath.
00:20:21.038 --> 00:20:23.206
Less than a year later, maybe 4 or 5 months later, we're not
00:20:23.206 --> 00:20:27.010
Exactly sure, but less than a year later, king herod
00:20:27.010 --> 00:20:30.180
Agrippa dies.
00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:32.282
But see, i read the story, and then maybe you think like i do,
00:20:32.282 --> 00:20:34.651
I'm like, "okay, god, if you're going to take him out, why
00:20:34.651 --> 00:20:38.588
Didn't you take him out earlier?
00:20:38.588 --> 00:20:40.724
Just a year earlier.
00:20:40.724 --> 00:20:42.092
I mean, you're go--you know he's going to die."
00:20:42.092 --> 00:20:43.660
And i don't know if god gave him the--i mean, who knows.
00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:46.229
They lived horrible, horrible lives and ate horrible stuff.
00:20:46.229 --> 00:20:49.599
And who knows what they drank, right?
00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:51.201
But the point is he dies.
00:20:51.201 --> 00:20:54.137
He dies within a year of having--probably a year of
00:20:54.137 --> 00:20:57.574
Having james executed and who else arrested and tortured.
00:20:57.574 --> 00:21:01.144
We don't even know.
00:21:01.144 --> 00:21:02.479
So that's what happens to him.
00:21:02.479 --> 00:21:03.847
Meanwhile, john mark, the young man whose mom hosted the prayer
00:21:03.847 --> 00:21:07.918
Meeting, john mark goes on to travel with the apostles and
00:21:07.918 --> 00:21:11.955
Writes the gospel of mark.
00:21:11.955 --> 00:21:15.359
And the gospel of mark is peter's story of the life and
00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:19.396
His experiences with jesus.
00:21:19.396 --> 00:21:21.498
And john the brother of james--james was beheaded.
00:21:21.498 --> 00:21:23.967
You know, john lives.
00:21:23.967 --> 00:21:25.335
John goes on to write the gospel of john that we have in
00:21:25.335 --> 00:21:28.338
Our bibles.
00:21:28.338 --> 00:21:29.773
That these men who experienced this extraordinary painful,
00:21:29.773 --> 00:21:34.344
Personal inconsistency maintain their faith to the point that
00:21:34.344 --> 00:21:38.782
They continue to risk their lives so that we, so many years
00:21:38.782 --> 00:21:44.087
Later, would have the privilege of the gospel, the message of
00:21:44.087 --> 00:21:48.291
Jesus that was for the whole world.
00:21:48.291 --> 00:21:50.594
Peter, again, he re-emerges, he travels, he encourages
00:21:50.594 --> 00:21:54.264
Christians all over the place.
00:21:54.264 --> 00:21:55.599
He writes two letters that show up in our new testament, 1 peter
00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:57.601
And 2 peter.
00:21:57.601 --> 00:21:59.102
Then eventually he's arrested either in rome or arrested and
00:21:59.102 --> 00:22:02.906
Taken to rome.
00:22:02.906 --> 00:22:04.241
We're not sure.
00:22:04.241 --> 00:22:05.609
And this time he didn't get a miracle.
00:22:05.609 --> 00:22:07.277
This time he's crucified.
00:22:07.277 --> 00:22:09.079
Some traditions say that peter was crucified upside down.
00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:12.115
Some traditions say he was crucified upside down because he
00:22:12.115 --> 00:22:14.584
Said, "i'm not worthy to die as my savior."
00:22:14.584 --> 00:22:17.921
So they said, "we'll fix that.
00:22:17.921 --> 00:22:19.556
We'll crucify you upside down."
00:22:19.556 --> 00:22:21.825
And these men and women would assure us that miracles are
00:22:21.825 --> 00:22:26.396
Possible, but they're not predictable, and they're not
00:22:26.396 --> 00:22:29.833
Probable, and most importantly, they are not necessary for our
00:22:29.833 --> 00:22:34.304
Faith or our faithfulness.
00:22:34.304 --> 00:22:38.275
They--this is the group that had a ringside seat to this reality
00:22:38.275 --> 00:22:42.846
That miracles are at god's discretion to accomplish
00:22:42.846 --> 00:22:47.717
God's purposes.
00:22:47.717 --> 00:22:49.052
Now, listen to this.
00:22:49.052 --> 00:22:50.420
And they were okay with that.
00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:54.724
That miracles are at god's discretions to accomplish god's
00:22:54.724 --> 00:22:58.061
Purposes, and they were okay with that.
00:22:58.061 --> 00:23:00.430
But let me tell you what else they would tell you.
00:23:00.430 --> 00:23:02.966
They would look at you and they would look at me and maybe they
00:23:02.966 --> 00:23:05.035
Would look at somebody today or somebody watching or listening
00:23:05.035 --> 00:23:07.070
Who really needs to hear this and they would say, "look, look,
00:23:07.070 --> 00:23:09.072
Look, in spite of that, bring it on.
00:23:09.072 --> 00:23:15.779
You are free to ask god for anything."
00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:20.150
You are free to plead with god like the apostle paul pleaded
00:23:20.150 --> 00:23:24.321
With god.
00:23:24.321 --> 00:23:25.655
The apostle paul was commissioned to be an ambassador
00:23:25.655 --> 00:23:27.524
For jesus all over the greek world, all around the
00:23:27.524 --> 00:23:29.893
Mediterranean rim, and he had some kind of physical ailment
00:23:29.893 --> 00:23:33.096
That got in the way of him doing the very thing god called him
00:23:33.096 --> 00:23:35.999
To do.
00:23:35.999 --> 00:23:37.334
And he's like, "god, you've called me to do this, and yet
00:23:37.334 --> 00:23:38.935
I've got this physical problem," we don't know exactly what it
00:23:38.935 --> 00:23:40.904
Is, "that's getting in the way of me accomplishing your will in
00:23:40.904 --> 00:23:44.574
The world.
00:23:44.574 --> 00:23:45.909
Please heal me."
00:23:45.909 --> 00:23:47.310
I mean, paul, the apostle paul performed miracles.
00:23:47.310 --> 00:23:50.614
"please give me a miracle."
00:23:50.614 --> 00:23:53.683
God said no.
00:23:53.683 --> 00:23:55.185
And paul would say, "but you know what?
00:23:55.185 --> 00:23:56.520
You bring it anyway and you plead with god if you--that's
00:23:56.520 --> 00:23:59.289
What you need to do."
00:23:59.289 --> 00:24:01.191
Peter told us, he wrote this, he said, "cast all of your cares on
00:24:01.191 --> 00:24:08.598
Your heavenly father, confident, absolutely confident that he
00:24:08.598 --> 00:24:13.003
Cares for you."
00:24:13.003 --> 00:24:16.339
It doesn't matter what we think the outcome is going to be.
00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:19.576
We honor god when we ask god to do what only god can do.
00:24:19.576 --> 00:24:27.450
And that tension and that exchange, that part of the
00:24:27.450 --> 00:24:30.854
Process is faith-building when we engage in it.
00:24:30.854 --> 00:24:37.360
There's one more thing i think they would tell us.
00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.895
I'm putting words in their mouth a little bit.
00:24:38.895 --> 00:24:41.097
They would look at us and say, "and don't forget, you don't
00:24:41.097 --> 00:24:44.301
Have to bargain with god."
00:24:44.301 --> 00:24:47.037
There's no formula.
00:24:47.037 --> 00:24:48.405
There's no pass code.
00:24:48.405 --> 00:24:49.739
There's no posture.
00:24:49.739 --> 00:24:51.074
There's no magic.
00:24:51.074 --> 00:24:52.442
You don't have to bargain with god because god is your
00:24:52.442 --> 00:24:56.046
Heavenly father.
00:24:56.046 --> 00:24:58.715
You just ask.
00:24:58.715 --> 00:25:01.518
And in the very end of his earthly ministry, jesus told us
00:25:01.518 --> 00:25:04.821
How to and modeled for us how to ask.
00:25:04.821 --> 00:25:10.160
He goes to the garden of gethsemane.
00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:12.262
He's a few minutes, maybe an hour away from being arrested.
00:25:12.262 --> 00:25:15.265
You remember this scene?
00:25:15.265 --> 00:25:16.800
And he's praying alone, and he knows what's coming, and he's
00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:22.272
Human enough to dread it as he should, and he says--this is
00:25:22.272 --> 00:25:27.210
So great.
00:25:27.210 --> 00:25:28.545
This is for us.
00:25:28.545 --> 00:25:29.913
This is for somebody specific today.
00:25:29.913 --> 00:25:31.648
He says, "father, if you are willing,
00:25:31.648 --> 00:25:40.223
Take this cup, take this plan,
00:25:40.223 --> 00:25:44.160
Take what is about to happen, take what is about to
00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:47.564
Unfold away from me.
00:25:47.564 --> 00:25:50.800
If--god, if there's any other way to accomplish your will, if
00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:55.071
There's any other way to accomplish your purpose, give me
00:25:55.071 --> 00:25:58.942
An option.
00:25:58.942 --> 00:26:01.144
Yet, father, not my will, but thy will be done."
00:26:01.144 --> 00:26:08.585
Is this a cop out?
00:26:08.585 --> 00:26:10.053
Is this a way around the inevitable?
00:26:10.053 --> 00:26:11.621
Is this is--well, it's not really god, but you christians
00:26:11.621 --> 00:26:13.923
Kind of have a work-around in case god doesn't do what, you
00:26:13.923 --> 00:26:16.192
Know, you want god to do or you think god--no.
00:26:16.192 --> 00:26:17.961
No, that's not a cop out.
00:26:17.961 --> 00:26:19.295
This is the way it's been done from the beginning.
00:26:19.295 --> 00:26:20.664
This is the way it's been from the beginning.
00:26:20.664 --> 00:26:21.998
This is what our savior modeled for us.
00:26:21.998 --> 00:26:25.502
And jesus was arrested, and beaten, flogged, mocked, and
00:26:25.502 --> 00:26:30.573
Crucified, and it was horrible, and it advanced the purposes
00:26:30.573 --> 00:26:37.914
Of god.
00:26:37.914 --> 00:26:39.749
Because miracles, old testament, new testament, top to bottom,
00:26:39.749 --> 00:26:43.153
Throughout the story of christendom, are at god's
00:26:43.153 --> 00:26:45.555
Discretion to accomplish god's purposes.
00:26:45.555 --> 00:26:49.592
And that's okay because he's god.
00:26:49.592 --> 00:26:53.530
He's god the father.
00:26:53.530 --> 00:26:55.231
And through christ he has demonstrated once and for all on
00:26:55.231 --> 00:26:59.202
A hill outside of jerusalem that he loves you and he does in fact
00:26:59.202 --> 00:27:04.174
Care for you.
00:27:04.174 --> 00:27:05.508
And you can cast your cares on him with confidence that he
00:27:05.508 --> 00:27:08.878
Hears, knows, and cares for you.
00:27:08.878 --> 00:27:12.115
And as his follower, isn't it true his purposes and his will
00:27:12.115 --> 00:27:18.088
Is what we are to be about as well?
00:27:18.088 --> 00:27:22.192
And when we surrender to his purposes and his will, when our
00:27:22.192 --> 00:27:26.696
Faith intersects with his faithfulness, something happens
00:27:26.696 --> 00:27:30.366
On the inside of us and our light shines brighter than ever
00:27:30.366 --> 00:27:36.439
Before; and that is the invitation and that is part that
00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:40.643
Is baked into what it means to follow jesus.
00:27:40.643 --> 00:27:45.448
Andy: hey, everybody. thank you so much for tuning in.
00:27:45.515 --> 00:27:48.218
If you'd like to watch this episode again or share it with a
00:27:48.218 --> 00:27:50.386
Friend, head on over to the website at the bottom of
00:27:50.386 --> 00:27:52.522
The screen.
00:27:52.522 --> 00:27:53.857
The website is the best place for you to find other
00:27:53.857 --> 00:27:56.025
"your move" episodes, access additional resources, and learn
00:27:56.025 --> 00:27:59.295
More about our mission to engage culture with the teaching of
00:27:59.295 --> 00:28:02.465
Jesus because we're convinced following jesus will make your
00:28:02.465 --> 00:28:05.568
Life better and make the world a better place.
00:28:05.568 --> 00:28:08.371
And now it's your move.
00:28:08.371 --> 00:28:09.939
♪♪♪
00:28:10.707 --> 00:28:22.385
...
00:28:25.622 --> 00:28:29.010

Andy Stanley - Miracles: Then and Now (Part 2)

April 26, 2025 | 28:29

Closed captions

Share