Witnesses of Christ

[0:01] Hallelujah! We thank God you have tuned in to this message by David and Tree at Carish Church. No hand can help you with the fulfillment of your destiny but the Word of God. May God hand a line with you further into your destiny through this Word.

[0:15] Acts chapter 1. Thank you Jesus. I'm reading from verse 1 to 8. The former treaty have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

[0:32] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.

[0:44] To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs. Being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

[0:58] And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me.

[1:11] For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

[1:32] And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in his own power. But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

[1:49] And ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Here ends the reading of God's holy word.

[2:02] Shall we pray? O Lord, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. As we gather together around your word, let a sound come from heaven.

[2:14] The sound that will be responsible for transformation in our lives. That will be responsible for helping us to discover Jesus and know Jesus better and get closer to Jesus.

[2:24] And be witnesses of Jesus. O Lord, as your word is taught, we pray, let the power of the Holy Spirit be released upon your word.

[2:37] To accomplish your purpose for this season. To raise giants for your kingdom. To raise witnesses to your glory. To bring healings, miracles, testimonies.

[2:49] And bring transformation to the glory of your name. We thank you. We thank you. Open our ears. Sanctify our ears. That as we hear, we will hear what the Spirit says to the churches in times like this.

[3:06] Thank you, Lord, that your word is prophetic. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah. Please be seated.

[3:18] Hallelujah. The book of Acts. I thank God for what we have studied so far about where Acts stands in God's word.

[3:30] Bridging the gap between the Gospels and our modern day living. The Gospels are about Jesus' ministry in his physical life by himself.

[3:43] And Acts introduces us to the ministry of Jesus while he's in heaven through his Spirit in his disciples. So, last week, I said the theme, the central motive, the central theme, the subject of the book of Acts, is the propagation of the resurrected Jesus in his ascension by the Holy Spirit through his disciples for the producing of the church, the kingdom of God.

[4:15] The propagation, let's all say propagation. That is spreading of Jesus.

[4:26] I explained that Jesus is the only human being who has ever walked on the earth and was able to please God to the fullest extent. God said, I'm impressed.

[4:39] I'm so pleased. He said, this is my beloved son in whom I am well. There are other people who also did things to please God, but not in the fullness of the sense of pleasing God.

[4:50] God was fully, for once, a human being, God was fully satisfied in him. And that has always been God's agenda, to have a group of people living on this earth who bear the image of what pleases him fully.

[5:08] That's what it means to be a Christian. It's not so much about what you are doing, but there's an image you bear, which is the image of Christ. So he says that for those he foreknew, Romans chapter 8, he also predestined, verse 29, to be conformed into the image of his son.

[5:27] What's the agenda? That he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren. So he predestined us to be conformed into an image, the image of the one who only pleases God.

[5:42] So that you can live on earth in your humanity, and yet, heaven is pleased by you. Not just because of what you do, but because of who lives in you. And the life that is being expressed through you, that is Jesus.

[5:56] So God's agenda was to spread Jesus Christ in his people. So that when you become born again, what makes you a Christian, it means it's Christ in you.

[6:08] What makes us Christians is Christ in me. That's what makes us the church. Christ in you. Christ in him. Christ in her. Christ in us. Christ in them. That is the definition of the church. Christ in you.

[6:19] That is what makes a person a Christian. So then, this living Christ is not dead. He's living, but where he's still on this earth, he lives in the hearts of the believers.

[6:32] Yes. And he's still, there are people who are walking in town or people around who don't have the life of God. But they will end up having the life of God. How?

[6:43] By, as we, as we preach the gospel, or as Christ is propagated, he gets propagated into a lot more people. So you remember, on the day of Antioch, when Peter preached, 3,000 people, Christ was propagated into 3,000 people.

[7:01] Suddenly, all these people became part of the body of Christ. Wow. So, it's about the propagation, the spreading of that life of Christ, that life of God, which no human being has.

[7:17] It's been spread. Christ came and died on the cross so that that life of God that was contained in him can be released and made available to enter into you. So you can be a child of God and we can be the kingdom of God.

[7:29] So, the propagation continues. So, the purpose is that the propagation of the resurrected Jesus, he's resurrected. So, it's that resurrection, resurrected Jesus who is being propagated.

[7:41] How? In his ascension, he's now in session. That's the theological word. He's in session. Sitting at the right hand of God. And from there, he's being propagated by the spirit through human agents who are called disciples.

[7:55] He's being propagated for the producing. So, as soon as Christ entered you, watch this. Oh, you're part of the church. Oh, wow. I'm born again. Hallelujah.

[8:06] Hallelujah. There is nothing like a Christian who is not born again. Somebody will ask you, are you a born-again Christian? Is there anything like a Christian who is not born again?

[8:20] There is nothing like a Christian who is not born again. And what makes you a Christian is the life of Christ. That enters you. How does he enter you? By believing that Jesus is the...

[8:30] I can't hear you. By believing that what? Jesus is the son of God. He's the Christ. The son of the living God. Soon as you believe that... I was explaining on Thursday.

[8:40] It just doesn't mean death. He just was born. It has implications that he lived a human life. Died for our sins. Resurrected from the dead. And he's seated in heaven and living his life.

[8:51] Once you believe that Jesus is the son of God. He is part of you. He becomes... His life enters you. And then you become part of his body. Or you become part of the church. Or better still, you become part of the kingdom of God.

[9:04] Because you have the life of God. So we are the kingdom. Hallelujah. And so... Bible says that... The text we read... In verse 4...

[9:14] The Bible says... And being assembled together with them. Even Jesus respected assembling. Jesus in his resurrection.

[9:27] Even though he could appear and vanish. Varnish and appear. Or appear and disappear. When he... He appears in the gatherings. He appears in...

[9:38] So a Christian who doesn't value gathering... Cannot live the Christian life to its fullest. You can't live a true Christian life... Independently or in isolation.

[9:51] Okay. How about someone who is incarcerated and is living? You see, the fact that you are not physically present... With the team... Doesn't mean you are not part of them. You are part of them. One.

[10:02] Because you have Christ in you. And two. You know they are your people. But just that... Physical restrictions have stopped you. But you can't wait to go. As soon as Peter came out of it... Where did he go? He went to the people where they've gathered.

[10:15] How come you are not in prison... But you go to where God really is? And then you are giving excuses. Oh, okay. What if somebody is in prison?

[10:26] Are you in prison? What if somebody is hospitalized? Are you hospitalized? Let's leave the... What if... What if it's like someone is saying that...

[10:36] Okay. But they've made the cars... And the pedals... And what if someone's legs are cut off? It's not... That is not for him. Maybe there may be another... Something is for him.

[10:47] You know... There's always... Extreme situations that are not... But let's stay with the norm. See what I'm saying? Oh, yeah. So... Jesus respects...

[10:59] Gathering... Of his people. I need to qualify that. After resurrection... Hebrews chapter 2... He said... I will declare your name... Amongst the brethren.

[11:11] I will declare your name. He said... In the... Saying... I will declare your name... Unto my brethren. In the midst of the church... I will be singing praises. When you read...

[11:21] Another... Translation... I think New King James... Or one of them... It says... In the midst of the assembly... It's the same thing. The gathering... In the midst... New King James... He said... In the midst of the assembly... In the midst of the church...

[11:33] When he... At this... After resurrection... He said... He said... I'm coming among them... In the midst of the church. That's what... And he said... I will declare your name... Amongst them. Jesus values... Church gathering.

[11:46] There are some people... Who don't see the point... In being in a church gathering. They just don't see any point. And not that they are restricted. It's different. There are different circumstances.

[11:57] But as I'm preaching... Now somebody is at work. And the nature of their work... They can watch TV. So they are listening. As I'm preaching... Somebody is... Somewhere...

[12:07] He's traveled somewhere... He cannot... There's no place... Or even... It's not yet church... Church time. In America... People are watching in America... And it's not church time... Because it's very early in the morning...

[12:17] 5 a.m. You see what I'm saying? So... There are different circumstances... But the point I'm making is that... When they are... Verse 4 says that... When they had assembled...

[12:28] Assembled... That means... Assembling... Was part of their community life... When being assembled together with them... He was with them...

[12:38] It's not like... They were there and then he showed up... He assembled together with them... Commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem... That stands to imply... That...

[12:50] They were likely to depart... They were about to depart... And he called... Because if they were not going to depart... He wouldn't command them... So he commanded them... And it was like...

[13:01] Instruction... Don't depart from Jerusalem... When they are gathered... How nice it is... That God has a way... Of speaking to us... During gatherings...

[13:12] I am of a firm opinion that... It's good... Every Christian... Every now and then... If you get a chance... Redraw yourself from... Normal days... Activity...

[13:23] And be somewhere by yourself... Alone with God... Those things are good... Every believer... Every now and then... It's just like...

[13:33] A day's break... Two days break... Three days break... Depending on your schedule... And your family situation... And just... In fact... Susanna Wesley... I hear she used to...

[13:43] Because she has so many children... She would just go into a duvet... And then for a few hours... Just she and God... So that the children won't disturb her... But everybody... And... Daily...

[13:54] We need time with God... Quiet time... And then there are times... Where... Seasonally... A person might go away... If they have the chance... Just to go and... Spend a day...

[14:04] Or two days... Or three days... Can you imagine... You used to go away... With your friend... Now that you are born again... You can go away... With Jesus... And just...

[14:15] You are going to spend time... With Jesus... No other person around you... You are away by yourself... Maybe two days... You work hard... Sometimes when you are going for holidays... You can also plan that...

[14:27] Within my holidays... A certain... A day or two... Is just me and God... I'm not going... I'm just staying... Reading my Bible... 40... Praying... Waiting on God... That is good...

[14:37] You tend to... Receive from God... A bit more... Easily... And you can secure... Certain encounters... That you won't have... Living normal... However... I am of the firm opinion...

[14:49] That... For instance... We are... This... Believers have gathered... And then you are going to hide somewhere... I'm seeking God... I'm seeking God... The time of...

[15:01] The gathering of your... Your own... Because... We... Bible says that in Acts chapter 4... Verse 23...

[15:12] When they had let them go... They went to their own company... Alright... So they went to their own company... Believers... We have companies... So... When it's time for your company...

[15:23] Spiritual company... To be gathering... It's not a healthy thing... To be absent... Even if you say... You are going to look for God... Where else? When they had assembled...

[15:35] When they had assembled... Verse 4 again... Acts chapter 1... Verse 4... Being assembled... Together with them... That's where he gave... The commandments... Can you imagine... When he resurrected from the dead...

[15:46] Where was Thomas? He came to where... They have gathered... Thomas was not there... He should have met... Thomas somewhere else... After... Because he was... He could appear anyway... He should have gone to meet Thomas... But he didn't go...

[15:57] The next week... He came back... Where they have gathered... So that tells you... How important... The gathering of God's people... Is to Jesus Christ... And he came and gave them instructions...

[16:09] And there are certain instructions... You will get clearly... Within the congregation... Because he lives in the congregation... He declares... The name of God... In the congregation...

[16:19] Jesus... In his ascension... He still shows up... In the congregation... So one day... He has assembled with them... He commanded them... Not to depart... From Jerusalem...

[16:29] So what should we do? Then he said... Wait... For the promise of the Father... Wait... You know... Matthew chapter 28... Verse 19... When he resurrected from the dead... From verse 18...

[16:40] Matthew 28... From 18... He came to them... And says that... Our power... Is given... Given unto me... In heaven and the earth... So... Look at the next verse... Go... Go ye...

[16:51] What? Go ye... What? So therefore go... So because all power is given unto me... On the grounds of that... On the basis of that... Go ye... He said...

[17:01] Go ye therefore... And teach all nations... So this is not only Jews now... This thing is transcending... The boundaries and the borders... Of Judea... Or Jerusalem...

[17:11] Or the Jews... Is going all nations... Baptizing all nations... Only these few guys... How can they do that? How would... Are they going to be swimming... Across the oceans...

[17:22] Going into all nations... By the time they get to Germany... Some of them will be tired and old... So let alone to be able to... Get to UK... Go to Finland... Or go to Ireland...

[17:32] And then go to... Canada... America... They won't be able to live to see that time... Because there were no planes... There were no... You know... Electronic vehicles...

[17:43] And all that... But he said... Go to all the world... So that all the world... Was not just telling them about... You the immediate disciples... Baptizing... And that's how the... Propagation happens...

[17:55] They continued in the apostles' doctrine... So they transfer it to you... You receive the seed of Christ... Then you are taught the ways of God... And you continue the kingdom of God...

[18:05] Spreading the kingdom of God... So... He said... Go... But he said... Don't just go... Wait... There was a mandate for them to go into the whole world... But it shows up in their gathering...

[18:16] Can you imagine if you have missed their gathering? If you have missed their gathering... You'll be in a hurry... You'll finish parking... You'll jump on the plane... And you are gone... Meanwhile... He didn't realize that...

[18:27] He said... Don't depart... Even though he has said go... This one was just before he left... So... After resurrection... He said go... Just before he left... He said wait...

[18:38] He didn't say don't go... But he said wait... Before you go... Am I communicating something? What you heard from God yesterday... Is good... Is good...

[18:49] But it might not be enough... For today's challenges... Or tomorrow's challenges... If Abraham... Just only heard from God... About...

[18:59] Give me Isaac... Isaac... Isaac would have been a victim... But thank God... He could still hear from God... So just when he took the knife... And was about to slash his throat...

[19:10] Or execute Isaac... Because he had heard that instruction... He heard again... So the previous hearing... Is not... Comprehensive enough...

[19:21] For the challenges ahead... Bible says that... The word of the Lord came to Elijah... Again... Whilst he was at the brook... God said go to the brook... But he kept hearing... Watch this...

[19:31] I said this some time ago... When you study the scriptures... You don't see... It says that... That... That said the Lord... Doesn't say that said...

[19:43] This is what God said... That said... It's most of the time... It's... You hear... He said... That says the Lord... That says the Lord...

[19:53] So that means that God is always speaking... Because he's a speaking God... He commanded them not to leave from Jerusalem... But wait for what? What should we wait for? He said...

[20:04] Wait for the promise... Now this promise is not talking about... John chapter 14... Where he says that... In my father's heart... Let not your heart be troubled... Go and prepare a place for you...

[20:14] That's not the promise he's talking about... That's the promise of Jesus... But here... He said wait for the promise of the father... So it's a promise of... We have to find out what the promise of the father is... You remember how...

[20:25] Moses' father-in-law... Asked Moses... What do you do? And he says... I advise the people... I lead them... And then... It's a lot of work... These are thousands of people... Or millions... And then... The father-in-law gave him advice...

[20:36] Sometimes it's good to listen to your father-in-law... God might be speaking to you... The father-in-law gave Moses... An advice... And he says that... What you are doing is not good... You worry yourself...

[20:46] And jeopardize what God is doing with the people... So... You have to appoint some people... So... Moses went to God... And God said... Appoint some people... 72...

[20:56] And then... When they come... He said... I'll take the spirit that is upon you... And I'll put you upon them... And then... They came... And it happened... But two of them laid up... And I buy hope... I think so... They couldn't make it...

[21:07] They were still in their tent... When the gathering was going on... But... They were supposed to be part... And so... When the spirit of God came upon the people... Who were assembled with Moses...

[21:17] Later on... One of Moses' servants came and said... Moses... What is happening here? The people who didn't turn up... They are there... And the spirit... Two of them... The spirit has also come upon them...

[21:28] Should we stop them? Moses said... Why are you jealous for me? It's actually my desire... That the spirit of God will come on... All God's people... And that was like a prophecy...

[21:38] Moses was a prophet... He said... I would desire... That the spirit will be... Why are you jealous for me? Don't... It says that... Moses said unto him... Envious thou for my sake...

[21:48] Would God... That all God's people were prophets... And that the Lord would put... His spirit upon them... That was a prophecy... So the Jews knew what Moses said...

[21:59] That his desire is that God... He actually... He actually... Puts into God's eternal agenda... Of our times... When he's going to pour out his spirit... On all flesh... Moses...

[22:10] That's what it means to walk with God... His desires... Were married to God's agenda... To the standard... He said something that was... So prophetic... And it wasn't like he wanted to prophesy...

[22:20] And it became a prophecy... That Jews knew... And then Joel... Prophesized it... That... It shall come to pass... In the last days... Says the Lord... That I will pour out my...

[22:30] That's what Moses desired... Yes... It was actually the plan of God... So it was prophesied... That it shall come to pass... Afterwards... That I will pour out my spirit... Upon all flesh... Your sons and your daughters... Shall prophesy...

[22:41] My spirit be poured upon all flesh... That was the promise... It was a prophecy... And it was a promise... And Jesus... While he was with them...

[22:51] Referred to the promise... So now... When he was about to leave... He said... Wait for the promise of the father... Look at what he said... For the promise of... Wait... Jesus said... You have heard of me...

[23:02] That means... That's not the first time... He's told them about... The spirit is coming... He's told them about... The spirit is coming... And he made them know... That the coming of the spirit... Is in line with the promise... Of the father...

[23:13] So he said... Wait... Which you have heard me speak... Then he went on... The verse 5... He says... Because John truly... You can't be around Jesus... If you didn't know about John... In those days...

[23:24] In his physical life... Everybody knew about John... John was a hugely popular figure... Seriously popular figure... Seriously popular figure... In those times... To the extent that...

[23:34] Pharisees were even careful... What comment they made publicly... About John the Baptist... Because they risked... The anger of the people... In fact... They used to send people to John... Yes... In John chapter 5...

[23:44] I was saying it last... In John chapter 5... Verse 33... Or somewhere in the night... It talked about... You sent people to John... Jesus was telling the Pharisees... That you sent... You sent... You sent on to John...

[23:56] So they actually... Were sending... Because John was so hugely popular... So sometimes... Someone who is stubborn... In the synagogue... They realize that you are not doing... Your things... You need to be baptized... Go to John... They will send you to John...

[24:08] So... I mean... And everybody... If they send you to John... You know that you have chances... Of becoming better... Because that guy is a fiery preacher... They... So John was making their work easier... And they themselves...

[24:19] Even they went... Soldiers were going... Anyway... So you sent to John... So John was very popular... Then Jesus said... John baptized... Truly baptized... With water...

[24:29] But ye shall be baptized... With the Holy Spirit... Now... John's baptism was a fantastic thing... That even the Pharisees... Accepted it... So then you can imagine...

[24:40] If water baptism was that good... Then Holy Ghost baptism... Would be far better... Far better... So... But Jesus said... And when John was baptizing...

[24:50] He told them clearly... Everybody baptized... He told the people... I baptize with water... In Matthew... He said it... In Mark... He said it... In Luke... He said it... In John... All the four gospels...

[25:00] John said it... It was said... And it was even repeated in earth... In Matthew chapter 3... He said... I'm baptized with water... But there's one coming after me... In Luke chapter 3... Verse 16... He said...

[25:10] I'm baptized with water... But there's one coming after me... John truly saying that... I indeed baptized with water... But there's one... Mightier than I... Than I... Commeth...

[25:21] The largest of whose shoes... I'm not worthy to... Or lose... He shall baptize you... With the Holy Ghost and fire... John chapter 1... Verse 26... He told them that... In Mark chapter 1...

[25:32] Verse 8... 9... And 10... He told them... So it was so strong... In all the gospels... About what John used to say... And Jesus also... Just before he left... He made reference to John... John is a good guy...

[25:44] John was a good guy... He meant a lot to Jesus... His ministry... He said... John... Truly baptized with water... So... Blonde baptism was hugely popular... And it was very good...

[25:55] And beneficial to the people... And Jesus said that... Wait... Because you shall be baptized... With the Holy Spirit... If it was me... I would have asked him... Can you tell me a bit more... About how this baptism... Is going to be like...

[26:06] Because no one has ever been baptized... Won't you ask that question... Wow... Jesus... Is it... So... How is it going to be like... Is it going to be similar to the water... Are we going to be wet... Or...

[26:16] Which we... Would you have... Shall we have to travel somewhere... How is it going to be like... And he also told them... He was about to leave... So... You should have been asking... When are you going...

[26:27] When exactly will you leave... And when... When you... When... When exactly will you leave... And... When you leave... How is it going to be like... Have you ever been where you are going...

[26:38] They could have been asking questions about... This kind of your living... So you are going to leave us... We are so happy you resurrected... And we've seen you... It's amazing... You are going to go... When exactly...

[26:49] And how... Okay... The Holy Spirit is coming... How is it going to be like... How long... When he comes... Will he stay with us permanently... Or how... They didn't ask that question... Let's see what they ask...

[26:59] Verse 6... Verse 6... When they therefore... Were come to... You see... How often they were coming together... You see... How often they were coming...

[27:09] Someone said... You are going to church too much... Read your Bible... They were always coming together... When... They therefore... Were come together... They asked of him... Saying... Lord...

[27:19] Will thou at this time... Restore the kingdom too... You wouldn't ask... Of the Holy Ghost... You ask him where I'm going... Now... If you read this... It don't make any sense to you...

[27:30] Living... In... United Kingdom... Or... 2,000 years apart... Away from them... Because... What does that mean? But... At that time... To ask this question...

[27:41] Was a very... Very... Relevant thing... Amongst them... What necessitated... That question? You know... God told them... When you disobey me... I will punish you... When you disobey me...

[27:51] I will... So when you read... The book of Judges... It was... They will be sent into exile... They will cry on the name of God... And God will deliver them... Bring them back... And then when they come back... They disobey God again... The Jews... That has always been...

[28:01] The Jewish story... They turn against God... And they begin to backslide... They begin to do things... Against God... And God withdraws from them... Then the enemies... Come and get them... And kill them... And massacre them...

[28:12] And take them to slavery... And then they will... In slavery... They will call... Oh God... Please... We repent... That's... It was always the story... And they did it... And you know what? God said... I've had enough...

[28:23] So that's how come... We didn't hear... Any more about... The Davidic... Dynasty... You don't hear about it again... Israel used to be... Very powerful...

[28:33] Powerful... Especially in the time of David... But God told David... Because you decided... To build me a house... I'm going to build you a house... By establishing... Your dynasty forever... And so the Jews...

[28:44] In the time of David... There was no one battle... That was lost... You can't overpower Jews... David dealt with Goliath... And dealt with all their enemies... So Judea...

[28:55] Or... The people of God... The Israelites became... Very powerful and formidable... In the days of David... And then Solomon took over... And didn't have to fight... Because everybody has been...

[29:06] Cleared off... And there was money... There was silver and gold... Solomon was wealthy... Because he didn't have... Time... You know... War is expensive... The more you fight...

[29:18] The more you lose money... And resources... The less you fight... The more you are able to save... So Solomon didn't fight... And that's why he was able... To build a temple... He had so much peace...

[29:29] Because of his father... It's good to be a good father... Amen... He didn't say amen... So... Solomon didn't have to fight... Now watch this... But after Solomon...

[29:39] Because of... Solomon... Married all kinds of women... A wife would come... And say... You are not my... What's that? What's that? 700 and 300...

[29:53] Wow! The implication... And the impact is that... The generations after him... Began to miss God... And so Israel went into captivity...

[30:05] And this captivity... Continued... Continued... By the time... Jesus was being born... Was coming... The Jews were in captivity... And they were... Under the occupation... Of Roman rule...

[30:15] That's how Pontius Pilate... And all these governments... Caesar... They showed up... And the Pharisees even showed up... In the New Testament... They were not in the Old Testament... But when you go so far from God...

[30:27] A lot of other things develop... All kinds of strange things develop... That become a problem... For the work of God... Later... So keep your family with God...

[30:37] So... They have gone so off... And the Romans... Were very terrible people... They ruled with iron fist... And the Jews couldn't stand it...

[30:47] They were taking taxes... Heavy taxes... You live for the Roman government... You work for the Roman government... And they have tax collectors... Who are Jews... But they were also...

[30:58] Making money... Because they were working for the Roman government... Or Roman power... And so the Jews didn't like it... And so they were waiting for the Davidic... Dynastie... Which God promised... That one day...

[31:08] There is a Messiah coming... He's going to be called the son of David... And that Messiah... Is going to restore... The kingdom to Israel... It's called the restoration...

[31:18] So the Jews knew about the coming restoration... So in Matthew chapter 19 verse 28... Jesus spoke about the restoration... Look at Matthew chapter 19 verse 28... Not 28, 19... 28, 19 is going to the world...

[31:30] But 19, 28... He said... And Jesus said unto them... Verily I say unto you... That ye which have followed me... In the regeneration... Is the same as restoration... In the restoration...

[31:40] In the regeneration... When the son of man... Shall sit in the throne of his glory... Ye also shall sit... Now... Now... Jesus... When is this happening? Are you living? You are talking about Holy Ghost...

[31:51] Jesus... We have followed you... You have not resurrected... You are about to sit in your glory... And you are talking about... Baptism of spirit...

[32:02] When are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel? Because you are the Messiah... But they didn't even understand... The Messiah was really going to restore the kingdom... But not in the first coming... Not at the first coming...

[32:14] That's why Jesus is going to return... And those of us... Who are in him... Will reign with him... He definitely is going to return... Hallelujah... So we also look forward to the returning of Jesus Christ...

[32:25] He spoke about... In fact... They preached it in Acts chapter 3... From 19... 20 and 21... Going to 21... But when you look at Acts chapter 3... Is someone following? In Acts chapter 3...

[32:37] Verse 19... The Bible talks about how... They... When the cripple was raised... They came and Peter preached... The gospel that... You deny the Holy One...

[32:47] And all that... And then he says that... Then he told them... Repent ye therefore... And be converted... That your sins might be blotted out... When they... Watch this... When the times of refreshing... Shall come from the presence of the Lord...

[32:58] Look at the next verse... We are going to 21... And God shall send Jesus Christ... Which before was preached unto you... Look at the name... That's 21... Whom the heavens must receive... Until the time of restitution of all things...

[33:11] There's a time coming... When everything will be restored... The time of restitution of all things... Which God has spoke... Which God has spoken... By the mouth of... His holy prophets... Since the world...

[33:21] God has always spoken about... A time is coming... When... The restoration of all things... And the Messiah... The Messiah... Is going to be the reigning king... So when they knew... That he was the Messiah...

[33:32] Who do men say I am... You are the... The Messiah... The Christ... The son of the living God... And the Messiah... Is supposed to be the son of David... And by inference... It means that... He's the son of David... Who is going to restore...

[33:42] The dynasty of David... To Israel... So... What they were talking about... Was not a fallacy... Or something they were just thinking of... All Jews... So when you say... The Messiah has come...

[33:52] They were expecting... Watch this... Watch this... Do you know that... They were expecting... The coming of the Messiah... When Jesus came... The Jews were expecting... In fact... Nathaniel... They said... We have seen him...

[34:03] Of whom Moses and the prophets spoke... In fact... The Samaritan woman... Asked Jesus Christ... Are you the one to come? They were expecting... The one to come... John the Baptist... When he was in prison...

[34:13] In Matthew chapter 11... He sent disciples... To go and ask Jesus... Are you the one to come? Or should we... So... The Jews... Were expecting... The one to come... Why? Because it has been prophesied...

[34:24] Number two... Because of the Roman oppression... They couldn't wait... For this... Our liberty... Our freedom... Which the Messiah... Is going to restore to us... They couldn't wait... Then the disciples found out...

[34:35] That you are the one... And then... Remember... In the... On the road... To Emmaus... In Luke chapter 24... You remember... Jesus asked the disciples... What are you talking about? And they said...

[34:46] Oh... You don't know what's happening? Haven't you heard about... Jesus Christ... Of Nazareth? It says that... One of them said... Cleopas... Answering said unto you... Are there a stranger in Jerusalem? Have you not known the things that happened?

[34:57] Let's go quickly... The next verse... What things... Jesus said... What things... Oh... Jesus of Nazareth... Who was a prophet... Mighty in this... And went before God... And all the people... Look at verse 20...

[35:08] And how the chief priests... And the rulers... Delivered him to be condemned... Let's go and crucified... They crucified him... But we trusted that... He had been... He which should...

[35:18] Did you see that? So when they were walking with him... They knew that... You wait... You see... This is the man... And... When the... Hosanna day... Palm Sunday...

[35:29] He went... When they said... Hosanna... Blessed is he who come... The king of Israel... Blessed is he who come... They thought he was going... He was going straight to the Roman garrison... And whip them up... And rather he went to the temple...

[35:40] And whipped the thieves out of the temple... What kind of messiah is this? What kind of conqueror is this? And then... They said... We thought... He was the one...

[35:50] That's why when he told them... Buy swords... When they came to the... Garden of Gethsemane to arrest him... Peter took the sword... And quickly... Shaved off somebody's ear... Because he knew that we are in power...

[36:03] The messiah is a king... He's going to reign... So they said... We thought... That he was the one... Who was going to restore... The kingdom to Israel... Or bring the freedom to Israel...

[36:14] In Luke chapter 24... Verse 21... They said... We thought... He was the one... They thought... We thought... He was the one... That was going to redeem Israel... And besides all this...

[36:25] The third day... Since he was... Some people said... They've seen him... So... Their expectation was... He was going to be the return... So... After the resurrection... They thought... Now is a better time...

[36:36] Because you kill him... If you kill a person... What else can you do to them? But you do the worst... Is to kill them... And you kill him... And he's back... I told you so... That's him... They were so excited...

[36:47] So they couldn't wait... For them to charge on the people... Not to fight... To go to the Roman authorities... And we deliver Israel... So that those... Apostles will be cabinet ministers...

[37:00] They will be in the ruling government... They were looking forward to that... Only to find out that... He said... Don't leave Jerusalem...

[37:11] But wait... Till you receive the promise... Which I was talking about... So they asked him... At what... So okay... We understand that one... But... At what time... Will you now restore the kingdom to...

[37:25] Israel? You know... He said... Will thou at this time... Because now that you have resurrected... That's what they expected... It was a Jewish expectation...

[37:35] Anticipation... He didn't say no... He didn't say... There's nothing like restoration... Of the kingdom... He didn't say... That's it... This is... This is all... No... He knew there was a time coming...

[37:46] But look at the answer... He gave them... Verse 7... And he said unto them... It is not for you to know... The times... Or the seasons... Which the father... Has set in his power... He said... Leave that alone...

[37:56] That has its own timing to come... And I actually... In Matthew chapter... 24 verse 3... And 24 verse 36... 24 verse 3... While they sat on the mount...

[38:07] They said... Tell us... When shall these things be... And what's the signs of thy coming... And the end of the world... They are talking about the restoration... Look at verse 36... Verse 36... It's an interesting... But of the day...

[38:19] And the hour... Knoweth no man... No... The day... And the time... He said... No one knows... Say no one knows... No one knows... No one knows... The day... So now they are bringing political issue...

[38:30] Do you know how Jews think... They used to think... And I'm sure... They talk about... The law of Moses... That's the core of the law...

[38:40] Is Sabbath day... Circumcision... And the rituals... That's what they think... So they think... The law of Moses... They think this whole thing... Is about Israel... You know... It's Israel...

[38:51] We have the law... Of Moses... And... We are going to have rain... So they ask... When are you going to restore the kingdom to... Israel... It's about Israel...

[39:02] It's about us... You know... This whole thing... You came... It's about us... That's why we are following you... Jesus... So... When are you going to... Restore the kingdom to Israel... And...

[39:12] Jesus said... It's not about Israel... What you don't know is... It's not Israel... It's church... It's not Old Testament... It's the New Testament... It's not the law... It's not about the law of Moses...

[39:25] But it's about the... Witnesses of Christ... So look at the answer he gave them... Verse 8... He said... You shall receive power... After the Holy Ghost has come upon you...

[39:35] And watch this... Watch this... When the Holy Spirit comes upon you... The immediate result... Is you receive power... And because of that power you receive... You become something...

[39:45] So... The most important thing is... The Holy Spirit is coming upon you... And when the Holy Spirit comes upon you... You become... He said... And ye shall be witnesses... Don't even say preachers...

[39:58] There's a difference between... Being a preacher and being witnesses... Say witnesses of Jesus... Witnesses of Jesus... Please say it again... Witnesses of Jesus... And he was telling them... You shall be witnesses...

[40:09] Unto me... Both in Jerusalem... Where you are... In Judea... In Samaria... And to the uttermost... This thing is going everywhere... I told you go to the world... Now... You need the Holy Spirit to do that...

[40:20] The Holy Spirit comes... Watch this... This is where I'm about to wrap up... But this is core... To everything I'm talking about... The theme of Acts...

[40:31] Is the propagation of Christ... Who propagates Christ... Witnesses... But you can't be a witness... Until the Holy Spirit has come upon you... Witnesses...

[40:41] Someone say witnesses... Witnesses... There are quite a few scriptures about... When you read Acts... Acts is replete with... Witnesses... Witnesses... How they are witnesses... Witnesses... In Luke chapter 24...

[40:53] Verse 48... 24... Easy to remember... Isn't it? 24 times 2... So... 24... Verse 48... That's how I remember... Some of my scriptures... So I'll just let you in...

[41:03] Before you come and ask me... How do you remember the scriptures? I just do math... It's mathematical equations... I've been doing... And ye are witnesses of these sins... Jesus told them... Ye are witnesses... Then he says that...

[41:14] By ye shall receive... Verse 49... Ye shall receive power... After the Holy Spirit has come upon you... So ye are witnesses... Say I am a witness... And ye are witnesses... In Acts chapter 1... Verse 22...

[41:24] They said... Let us choose somebody... Who has always been from the beginning... Said... Beginning from the baptism of John... Unto the same day that... He was taken up from us...

[41:35] Must one be ordained to be what? When they were replacing Judas... Oh, I can't wait for us to get to Judas matter... It's going to be interesting... Yeah... Judas... It's in verse 16...

[41:45] But when they were replacing Judas... They said we need someone... Who has been around from the time of John the Baptist... Followed us... And who will ordain to be a witness...

[41:56] So not just a preacher... Not an apostle... But a witness... They are replacing an apostle... But they are trying to say... That apostle who is being replaced...

[42:07] Must be able to be a witness... A witness... In Acts chapter... You can write it... Those of you who are... In Acts chapter 3... Verse 15... And in Acts chapter 5...

[42:18] Verse 32... It's there... Alright... Let's look at Acts chapter 3... Verse 15... And kill the prince of life... Whom God has raised from the dead... Whereof...

[42:30] This is Peter talking... We... We are witness... Not preachers... Not just preachers... God is trying to make a witness out of you... Ah... That's where it's going now...

[42:41] He is... Jesus is looking for witnesses... The Greek word translated witness... Is matus... M-A-R-T-U-S...

[42:54] Matus... Matus... Matus... Matus... Matus... Is where you get the word... Matai... Matai... Usually some of the Greek words...

[43:06] When it's... Why? It can be pronounced... You... When it's you... It can be pronounced right... So... It's interchangeable... I'm sure... There are some books that may even use... Matai... Alright... So...

[43:16] Matus... Is the Greek word... And do you know what it means? To be a matus... It means that... It's a person... Who is... Willing... To die... For...

[43:28] What they stand for... Ready... To be a witness unto death... Be a testifier unto death... Jesus said... You shall be witnesses...

[43:40] Unto me... When the... Don't... Don't rush to go... Because if you go... You end up just being a preacher... But if you wait for the Holy Ghost to come... He will come with what makes you a witness...

[43:51] Hallelujah... Hallelujah... So in Acts chapter 3 verse 15... We saw the... In Acts chapter 5 verse 32... We saw... It says that... We are witnesses of these things...

[44:02] Of the resurrection... You kill him... God raised him... And we are witnesses... In fact... I left Acts chapter 2 verse 32... As well... In Acts chapter 2 verse 32... It said... This Jesus has God raised...

[44:13] Whereof... Are you seeing... It's everywhere in Acts... Whereof... We are witnesses... In Acts chapter 10... Verse 39... And 41... In Acts chapter 10...

[44:23] Verse 39... It says that... And we are witnesses of all these things... You shall receive power... And you shall be witnesses... It said... We are witnesses of all these things... In verse 41... It said... God showed him to the people...

[44:34] Not to all... But unto witnesses chosen... Unto witnesses... So this thing... God is working with witnesses... Oh... I believe God is empowering someone...

[44:46] To be a great witness for Jesus... Hallelujah... Great witness for Jesus... In Acts chapter 13... Verse 31... Witnesses... Acts chapter 13...

[44:56] Verse 31... Witnesses... It says... And he was seen many days... Of them which came up with him... From Galilee to Jerusalem... Who are his... Witnesses... Hallelujah...

[45:07] God working with witnesses... In Acts chapter 22... Verse 15... And verse 20... Witnesses... In Acts chapter 26... Verse 16...

[45:17] Witnesses... It's replete everywhere... In Acts chapter 22... Verse 15... For thou shall be... His witness unto all men... Witness... Paul... When he was being called...

[45:28] He was told you... You are going to be a witness... Witness... Acts chapter 26... Verse 16... He said... You are going to... I like that... I think I like that one... Let's look at Acts chapter 26... They said... Hey... What are you doing? Rise up...

[45:38] And stand on your feet... For I have appeared unto thee... For this purpose... To make you... What? A witness... A witness... Please read... To make you... A minister... A witness...

[45:49] To make you... A minister... And a witness... Both of the things... That you have seen... In the Jesus... So you are going to be... A minister... And a witness... A minister...

[46:00] Ministers... When a minister... Points to his work... The things that you are doing... The work of ministry you do... A witness... Points to your testimony... You testify...

[46:11] A witness testifies... And a minister works... So... Do you know what happened... In the days... The apostolic era... They tried to... The devil used...

[46:22] The Jewish religionists... To try to... Bind these apostles... That they can't preach... They bind them... That they can't preach... They actually... Bind their evangelistic activities...

[46:34] You can make all kinds of laws... You can't preach... You can't do this... But... When the person is filled with the Holy Ghost... You cannot stop a person... From being a witness... A witness testifies...

[46:44] To the extent that... Jesus himself... Even he... In Revelation... He calls himself... The true witness... He said... I'm the true witness... Revelation... Chapter 2... Verse 5... Faithful witness...

[46:55] Faithful witness... Revelation... Chapter 13... Verse 4... Faithful witness... In Revelation... Chapter 17... Verse 6... It talks about... The people of God... Being witnesses... Jezebel... They said that...

[47:05] Babylon... Jezebel... Has persecuted... In Revelation... Chapter 17... Verse 6... Persecuted... It says that... And I saw... The woman... Drunking with the blood... Of the saints...

[47:16] Yes... Drunk with the blood... Of the saints... And with the blood... Of the martyr... That word martyr... Witnesses of Jesus... Malthus of Jesus... Not just as saints...

[47:27] Saints are people... Who have been sanctified... Separated... By a martyr... Or a martyr... Or a witness... Is someone... Who watched this... When it comes to... You ministering...

[47:37] It's based on... Your works... Ministry is what you do... But witnessing... And testifying... Is based on... You... A person... Because of your... If I encountered... The person of Christ...

[47:48] And it has affected... Your person... So they can't even... The more you are killing them... Their lifestyle... They are living... Their dying... Is a message... It's a witness...

[47:58] That Jesus is alive... You get that... So it's not so much just... We are supposed to preach... But there is something... That is more powerful... About our lives... That gives credibility... To what we say...

[48:09] Is the living Jesus... Being manifested in us... Not only by our good works... Our good works... Matters... But our philosophy... Our willingness... To forgo something... Our willingness...

[48:19] To take a stand... Who will really have become... Is a major witness... To Jesus... But pastor... You said that... The gospel is not...

[48:29] Your testimony... Last week... You said... The gospel is not your testimony... The gospel is about... How Christ died... That the gospel... Is good news... News... There's a difference... Between news...

[48:40] News... And... Life... Your life... Testifies... That the news... Is true... Did you understand... But...

[48:51] If you only... Say... Look at my life... And you don't tell us... The news behind your life... Is there news... That saves... The good... It's news... You know what saves... News... And a lot of things... That is destroying a lot of people...

[49:02] It's also bad news... Bad news... Now in days... We have fake news too... News... Is what saves... And the news that saves... Is called good news...

[49:12] And so we have to preach... The good news... But what... The Holy Ghost does... With our lives... Is that... Besides preaching... The good news... We are actually...

[49:23] In fact... Some of you... People were surprised... Today you are preaching... Some of you... Just someone called... Where are you? They thought you'd be in there... Because you used to be at the pub... Sunday mornings...

[49:33] Or... By Sunday morning... You are now... Hangover... You know... I've never heard this... So I don't... I've never seen anybody... With hangover... But your friends know... When they call you... They know they won't get you...

[49:44] And when you pick... The call... Sunday... 11 a.m... They are expecting to hear... Hello... But this time they call you... You say... Hi... Hey... What's going on? Hi...

[49:55] So yeah... I'm fine... Are you not asleep? No... Are you not... In the bathroom... Throwing up or something? No... Where are you? I'm already in church... We are having... You see...

[50:05] Your life... This life... Is becoming a witness to something... You see... It's becoming a witness... You live in a house with people... They knew you in your... Olden days...

[50:16] You claim now you have changed... But now you are even more... A terror than anything... You need a baptism of the Holy Ghost... There are people in churches...

[50:29] That are speaking in tongues... Hila... Hilah... But they don't have the baptism of the Holy Spirit... Because... You can tell... They don't have power... They don't have power to be witnesses...

[50:40] They don't have power to be... They only can speak in tongues... But no... Power... someone makes a mistake and enters into a relationship with you hoping that you get married before they could say Jack you are wild on that I thought you had met somebody in church you speak in tongues but it doesn't look like you have the power of the Holy Ghost hey am I preachy at all witnesses of Christ not keepers of the law they were talking about Israel they were talking about keeping of the law they were talking about Moses Jesus said no it's not Israel it is about church it's not about Israel it's not about the law of Moses it's not about the keepers of the law it's about the witnesses of the Lord it's not about Old Testament do's and don'ts it's about the Holy Ghost power coming upon someone and making you a witness I'm a witness to the fact that Jesus is alive I speak about it and I live it I live it witnesses that's why the Holy Ghost comes he said and ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost come and ye shall be witnesses of me witnesses there are a lot of young people who sometimes come to me when I was in Zambia a young man at the hotel who was working at the reception or something like that eventually we were talking and then he said I mean he's a Christian experience active in church he goes to church and everything and I said he found out I'm a pastor he said wow he said I want to be a pastor too and I wasn't sure what was the motivation because I meet young people who want to be pastors and the motivation is to have influence and just go and do politics it's a better that you get the influence but you want to be a politician in church that's why you want to you know when the Holy Ghost comes upon you and if God has really called you if you want to answer the call don't ask where it's going to take you to do it.

[52:42] Thank you. Thank you. Because Stephen the first martyr of the church see how he witnessed with his life to the standard when Paul met Jesus Saul or Paul when he met Jesus later he said when your servant Stephen was being killed I was there holding the clothes.

[53:02] The death of Stephen made such an impact on him many years later in his deliberation with God he was bringing it up that I was there I saw it I saw it because that life many some Bible teachers believe that Paul's encounter with that thing haunted him so he became born again or so he met Jesus Christ.

[53:25] So when he met Jesus Christ his first hand experience of a witness is maybe you want to do the work of God John the Baptist he did the work of God but look at how he ended it wasn't a shameful end.

[53:40] Human beings would think a shameful end. Even up to now people think Jesus had a shameful end. Because when you are a witness it's not benefits based. It's not benefits based.

[53:51] It is a lifetime you are witness to the living Jesus that this thing works and Jesus is alive. See what he can do with my life he's doing in my life and what he's about further things he's about to do.

[54:03] Let that guy go. Be a witness. Be a witness. Some guys are looking for church girls who are really witnesses of Jesus. I'm going there.

[54:18] Some ladies who have come to church are looking for church guys who are witnesses for Jesus. So you have power to not let your feelings reign and rule your life.

[54:33] You are sending people. Chasing them on Instagram. Different. You see girls in church. You are chasing them. Girl send me your number so we can talk. What's wrong with you?

[54:47] Stop it. Organizing parties in your house. Unless someone doesn't ask for a ride. They won't arrive home safely.

[54:58] They won't. You give somebody a ride in your car. Just that. They won't get to their house safely before they can say jack.

[55:11] Yeah. You are not a witness. You are not a. You speak in tongues. But I wonder if you have the power of the Holy Ghost. Tell somebody.

[55:24] Listen. I'm a witness. I'm a witness. Yeah. You are living with your girlfriend. You just jumped from bed. And you came to church. You are your girlfriend not properly born again.

[55:35] You have been in church longer than her. Are you being a witness? If you are struggling. Struggles are strong. But believe God. The power comes so that you can be a.

[55:45] Boy. Boy. I'm talking to you. You know I'm talking to you. My sister. I'm talking to my sister. I'm talking to my sister. Witness. Witness of the Holy Ghost.

[55:56] Witness of Jesus. Witness. Somebody shout out my witness. So bitter. You can't forgive. You always. Everything to spite somebody.

[56:08] People who live with you. Are always afraid of you. Because no one wants to. They open the fridge. They see. Hot chocolate. Hot chocolate can be in the fridge. So. Ha ha ha.

[56:18] Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ice cream. Okay.

[56:29] Ice cream is better. And they. They want to eat it. But they won't dare. Because they don't know. Just in case it belongs to you. Because if it belongs to you.

[56:39] It will be like. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. Ha ha. I'm not saying folks should take us for granted. It. But there is this thing about you. Sometimes you might.

[56:49] People hang around you a bit. You. You don't say anything. But they see evidence. It's not like you are trying to act. Witnesses don't try to act. You. It's a person. A testifier.

[57:00] Your life is the testimony. Your life is the testimony. Sometimes you say things. You forgive people. You. Or you. You do things that. You didn't realize. It has made an impact on somebody.

[57:11] They notice that. Wow. Wow. Okay. I'm learning. Wow. I like. I like that. You've taught me something new. Because you are a genuine witness.

[57:22] You don't have to think about your actions first. If you're always thinking about. What to do. So people don't see you wrong. You are likely to be a Pharisee. Always be careful.

[57:33] So you can appear before people. In a certain way. You see. You know what I'm talking about. You can appear before. Yeah. I finished my case. Now. We have to end now. Did you receive something?

[57:47] Somebody shout. I am a living witness of Jesus. I am a living witness of Jesus. Sing one more time. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. We pray you have been strengthened and enlightened.

[57:59] You can connect to David Entry on all relevant social media platforms. Including Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also hear many more messages from David Entry. On all relevant streaming platforms.

[58:10] And the Carriage Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed. Yeah. Amen. Thank you. Amen. To meet you.

[58:23] Amen. Amen. Amen. I do believe. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. A storm.

[58:34] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.