WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.800 Good morning, church. Would you turn with me to the book of Acts, chapter 2. That is page 855 or 866 in the Pew Bible, depending on which version you have. Acts chapter 2. We're continuing our series in the book of Acts today. Let me pray for us, and then I'll read. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:38.100 O great God of highest heaven, glorify your name in us. We ask for your help as we come to your word, Father, that by your Spirit we would behold all that he is saying to us, your church, to the glory of Christ our King. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:49.620 All right. Let me read Acts chapter 2, verses 1 through 21. Acts 2, 1 through 21. Luke writes this, 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:12.819 And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:24.280 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:33.060 because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:41.760 Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:51.439 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:58.500 Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:08.639 We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God. And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:18.699 What does this mean? But others, mocking, said, They are filled with new wine. But Peter, standing with the eleven, 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:23.780 lifted up his voice and addressed them, Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:29.520 Let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, 00:02:29.979 --> 00:02:34.900 since it's only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel, 00:02:35.580 --> 00:02:41.900 And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, 00:02:42.620 --> 00:02:47.659 and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:53.960 and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on my male servants and female servants in those days, 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:59.819 I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above, 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:05.800 and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:10.659 and the moon to blood before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:19.139 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:30.859 So how is it, how is it, how is it that a small group of frightened, puzzled, 00:03:30.860 --> 00:03:41.960 and largely uneducated men and women could so quickly become a force to be reckoned with right 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:50.640 across the known world? How was it that this small group of men and women could, in a few short years, 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:57.200 be said to be turning the world upside down? How? 00:03:57.199 --> 00:04:08.539 Well, the answer is right here in Acts chapter 2. Here Luke tells us how the seemingly unsinkable happened. 00:04:09.079 --> 00:04:15.699 He tells us how the church was born and where the church's real power and life comes from. 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:23.240 And the answer is the Holy Spirit. God, the Holy Spirit. 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:32.460 Acts chapter 2 is the account of what we now call Pentecost, the day when the ascended Lord Jesus sent 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:38.620 the Holy Spirit upon the church in the fulfillment of His promise and in the fullness of His saving work. 00:04:39.400 --> 00:04:46.100 This was a day in history from which there was no turning back, a historical event in God's plan 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:55.280 of redemption that marked a new day, the day the Holy Spirit began His new covenant ministry and began empowering the church 00:04:55.280 --> 00:04:57.200 for its Christ-given mission. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:06.000 And that means, like Jesus' death and resurrection then, Pentecost was a unique day, a unique event in history. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:11.759 But just as we can learn about Jesus' ongoing significance from His life and death and resurrection, 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:20.579 so too we can learn today about the Spirit's ongoing significance from this event, the day of Pentecost. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:31.680 And it is, is it not, important that we should come to learn about and come to know and come to behold and worship God, the Holy Spirit. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:39.000 Why? Because He is the reason why there is a church at all. 00:05:41.400 --> 00:05:45.960 You see, without the Holy Spirit, there is no proclamation. 00:05:46.340 --> 00:05:47.439 There is no mission. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:48.639 There is no conversions. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:49.720 There are no Christians. 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:51.519 There is no worldwide Christian movement. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:58.579 Everything that we have and do that is of any lasting spiritual significance is because of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:04.759 Without the Holy Spirit, we are like a sailboat without wind. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.399 We are like a stack of wood without fire. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:19.779 The glorious riches of Christ and His salvation would ever remain removed from us without the Holy Spirit. 00:06:20.539 --> 00:06:26.219 The gospel message itself would remain ever foolishness to us without the Holy Spirit. 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:30.120 It is all because of God, the Holy Spirit. 00:06:31.280 --> 00:06:42.100 So if, as a church, if as Christians, we are going to look in the right place to learn where the real source of our life and growth and mission come from, 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:45.820 we have to look to God, God the Holy Spirit. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:51.040 So what does the day of Pentecost show us about the Holy Spirit? 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:54.279 What does this day help us to understand today? 00:06:55.420 --> 00:07:00.939 Well, I want to look at three things that the account of Pentecost helps us to understand about the Holy Spirit today. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:02.100 Here are the three. 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:03.259 Spoiler alert. 00:07:03.659 --> 00:07:07.319 We're going to look at the Spirit's power, the Spirit's work, and the Spirit's goal. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:10.920 Okay, let's consider first the Spirit's power. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:13.680 We see this in verses 1 through 4 of this passage. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:19.300 Luke tells us that when the day of Pentecost arrived, the disciples were all together in one place. 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:22.819 Now, what was Pentecost? 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:30.360 Well, Pentecost, long before it described a certain Christian movement of the 20th century that we call Pentecostalism, right? 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:33.980 Long before all that, Pentecost was a Jewish feast. 00:07:34.540 --> 00:07:40.480 In the Old Testament, it was called the Feast of Weeks, one of the three great annual celebrations that God commanded His people to hold. 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:46.480 And the Feast of Weeks was a harvest celebration that took place 50 days after Passover. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:54.060 And that's how it came to be called, in the Greek-speaking world, Pentecost, because the word Pentecost comes from the Greek word for 50. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:08:03.399 So, Jews would come to Jerusalem from all over the Roman Empire, all the places where the Diaspora had happened, and there were communities of Jews. 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:13.340 They would come from all over to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast, thanking God for His provision, offering to God the first fruits of their labors, 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:18.000 asking God to bless all of their work to come and the harvest to come. 00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:20.419 That was Pentecost. 00:08:21.539 --> 00:08:31.099 Now, interestingly, over time, in Jewish history, they had spent 40 days with Him after His resurrection. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:42.200 They had seen Him ascend to heaven just over a week earlier, and they were waiting, just as Jesus had told them to, waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:58.920 And on the day of the feast of Pentecost, the day when the harvest was celebrated, the day when they remembered how Moses went up and ascended on the mountain and came down with God's law, 00:08:59.280 --> 00:09:07.400 on that day, the ascended Jesus fulfilled His promise, and the Holy Spirit came in power. 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:13.379 And on this Pentecost, you see, there would be an even greater harvest. 00:09:14.459 --> 00:09:26.559 And on this Pentecost, it wouldn't be God's law coming down on tablets of stone, but it would be God's own Spirit coming down, filling them, writing His Word on their very hearts. 00:09:28.459 --> 00:09:34.840 And when the Spirit arrives, Luke says, he says it was like wind and like fire. 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:44.800 A sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house, and what looks like fire comes down and rests on each one of them. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:48.639 I always thought it was funny as a kid that phrase tongues of fire. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:56.500 It's a sort of interesting word picture when you think of like, I think he means sort of like, you know, not like literal tongues, right? 00:09:56.540 --> 00:09:59.340 But like branches of fire falling down on each one of them, right? 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:04.460 Of course, these images, wind and fire, they're images of what? 00:10:04.540 --> 00:10:05.879 They're images of power. 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:11.940 And images that are fitting for the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:13.300 --> 00:10:15.480 For as Jesus Himself taught in John 3, do you remember? 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:17.940 Jesus says, the wind blows where it wills. 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:19.740 You cannot see it, can you? 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.280 But you feel it. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:23.200 You can feel its effects. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:27.860 Wind is powerful, even though you can't see it. 00:10:29.280 --> 00:10:31.920 And fire, well, fire is something that you can feel. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:34.340 Fire, you can feel its warmth. 00:10:35.140 --> 00:10:37.800 But you can't grab fire with your hands, can you? 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:40.140 It's immaterial, fire itself. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.900 Like wind, God the Holy Spirit is invisible. 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:48.660 Like fire, God the Holy Spirit can't be measured or grasped. 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:53.120 But like storm and like fire, the Spirit of God is powerful. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:58.139 But this wind and fire speak not just of the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:58.459 --> 00:11:02.159 Wind and fire in the Old Testament were images of God's own powerful presence. 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:07.100 It was a pillar of fire, was it not, by which God led His people through the wilderness. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:15.220 It was a mighty wind by which God caused the valley of dry bones to rise in Ezekiel's vision, do you remember? 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:21.920 So with the arrival of the Holy Spirit, God had come. 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:31.680 The third person of the Trinity, awesome in power, eternal, all-knowing, completely good. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:39.899 The Lord, the Giver of life, the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:44.819 who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, 00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:49.899 as the church would eventually come to codify and confess in the Nicene Creed. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:12:00.220 But in the context of the book of Acts, what does this powerful presence of the Holy Spirit signify? 00:12:01.079 --> 00:12:02.199 What does it mean? 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.120 Well, in the context of the story of Acts, it means this. 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:11.079 It means that Jesus Christ is indeed on the throne. 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:16.040 He is indeed the Lord of heaven and earth. 00:12:17.020 --> 00:12:19.540 Jesus promised that He would ascend to the Father's right hand, 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:21.820 and He promised to send the Holy Spirit, 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:25.639 the one the prophets of Israel had all spoken of and looked forward to. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:29.879 And on Pentecost, Jesus fulfilled that promise. 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:33.460 Seated at the Father's right hand, He now reigns. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:41.519 You see, in His ascended humanity, Jesus had forged the broken link between earth and heaven because of our sin. 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:46.740 And now, by sending the Spirit from the Father, heaven was coming to earth, 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.900 and the reign of our King had begun. 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:55.240 And just as the Spirit hovered over the waters of the original creation in Genesis 1, 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:57.980 bringing order and beauty and life, 00:12:57.980 --> 00:13:04.639 So now the Spirit rushes upon the church to advance the new creation, 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:10.039 bringing restoration and beauty and new life. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.639 So, brothers and sisters, 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:19.700 do we appreciate the power of the Holy Spirit? 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:22.580 Or do we just give Him lip service? 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:30.000 Perhaps we need a bigger view of who He is and what He's come to do. 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:33.720 Yes, we acknowledge the Holy Spirit, but do we depend on Him? 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.860 Or do we depend on our own strength, 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:40.580 and our own intellect, on our own plans? 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:44.540 Instead, friends, we should acknowledge, 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.340 and we should confess that whatever strength we have, 00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:49.400 whatever intellect we have, is a gift from Him. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:52.740 And we should use it in prayerful dependence on Him, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:55.139 not despising those gifts or rejecting those gifts, 00:13:55.579 --> 00:13:57.240 but using them for His glory 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:01.659 and depending on Him for their right use and wise execution. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:07.980 In prayerful dependence on the Spirit. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:12.799 You see, I wonder if you think 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:17.279 that the trials you're up against are too big for you, 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:20.000 and you've tried your own intellect 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.559 and your own strength to get after them, 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:25.639 but you've found them too big for the task. 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:30.059 Surely the disciples thought about being witnesses 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:31.519 to the ends of the earth and thought, 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:35.139 we are too small for such a big task. 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:39.500 And Christian, when you think about the trials before you, 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.819 the truth is, 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:43.319 they are too big for you, 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:48.660 but they are not too big for the Holy Spirit who is in you. 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:53.160 When God's Spirit filled the tabernacle in the Old Testament, 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.080 do you remember that story? 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.720 What happened? 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.000 They build the tabernacle, 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.260 God's Spirit comes down. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.200 Do you remember what happens? 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:02.260 God's presence by His Holy Spirit 00:15:02.260 --> 00:15:04.500 was so weighty and so glorious 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:06.140 and so powerful 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:08.019 that the priests and the people 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.059 who were gathered that day 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:10.080 fell to the ground 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:11.919 and they were unable to stand. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.220 God's holiness was so palpable 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.379 and real 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.600 and weighty. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.039 And friends, 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.100 the same Spirit, 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.220 if you are in Christ, 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.379 now lives in you, 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.519 in us, 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.220 the church. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.759 It's not for nothing 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.419 that the New Testament calls believers, 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.600 calls the church, 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.920 the temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.779 Greater is He that is in you 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.639 than he who is in the world. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.279 But, you know, 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.000 I think it's worth considering as well 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.460 that the Holy Spirit works 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:49.360 not just in these outwardly dramatic ways 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.720 like He did on the day of Pentecost. 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:53.340 As the story of Acts will progress, 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.740 we will see the work of the Holy Spirit 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.879 happening in inward and quiet ways too 00:15:57.879 --> 00:16:00.060 as He opens people's hearts to believe. 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:04.480 Sometimes the wind is a storm. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:07.740 Sometimes the wind is a gentle breeze. 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:10.639 Sometimes the fire is blazing 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.759 and you can't miss it 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:13.159 because it's resting on your head. 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:16.120 Sometimes the fire is warm 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:18.600 and comforting through cold nights. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.139 Friends, so too, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.220 the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:26.540 Sometimes, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.920 our tri-personal God 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:29.379 batters our hearts, 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.720 as John Donne once wrote. 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.799 But sometimes the Holy Spirit 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.840 works gently and softly over time. 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:38.059 But consider 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:41.159 whether the Holy Spirit 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.559 decides in His sovereignty 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:44.840 to work in you in outwardly dramatic ways 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.899 or whether He decides 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:47.399 to work in quiet inward ways. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:47.820 Remember, 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:52.500 it's the same powerful God at work, 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:54.779 the same fire, 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:58.419 the same miracle of His personal presence 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.080 in your life. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.340 One way isn't better than the other. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:04.099 The Holy Spirit knows just what we need 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.759 and when and how. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.660 So this is what we see first, 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.799 the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.220 Next, we see the work of the Holy Spirit, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.220 the Holy Spirit's work. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:17.259 We see this in verses 5 through 13. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:19.259 After the Holy Spirit descends in power, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.099 the disciples, 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.379 filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.200 begin doing what? 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:24.720 They begin proclaiming the mighty works of God 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.819 in other tongues 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.480 as the Spirit gave them utterance, 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:27.920 Luke says. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.579 Presumably, 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.740 as they're gathered in the upper room 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.500 and the Spirit falls, 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.640 they begin praising God 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.240 and the praise starts to overflow 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.839 such that they go out into the streets 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:37.279 and probably into the temple courts 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:39.299 and crowds start to hear the sound 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.500 of this praise 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.980 in all of these languages, 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.579 in these other tongues, 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.839 and they begin to gather. 00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:47.720 Now, what does Luke mean? 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.699 What was happening? 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.839 What does he mean by these other tongues? 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.159 Well, verse 11 explains it. 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:54.740 You can see there. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:56.500 After listing all the regions 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.460 from whence the Jews had gathered 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:00.240 to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.879 in Jerusalem, 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.059 countries and regions 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.079 from nearly every part 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.879 of the known world, right, 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.839 Luke reports the crowds as saying, 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.960 we hear them telling 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.860 in our own tongues 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:13.960 the mighty works of God, 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.519 in our native tongue. 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:19.720 On that day, 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:21.220 the Holy Spirit miraculously 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.279 enabled the church 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.539 to speak languages 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.600 they did not know 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:26.840 so that everyone could hear 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:28.420 about the mighty works of God, 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.740 that is, the powerful deeds 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.600 that God had done 00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.840 in and through Jesus. 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:36.799 Now, let's consider this scene 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.319 a bit more. 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:41.259 What language do you know? 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.159 Do you know what language 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:43.740 almost everyone spoke 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.980 in the first century? 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.159 No matter where you came from, 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:51.279 you could probably speak Greek. 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:53.079 You know, it's funny, 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:53.679 we say today, 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.980 we say, it's all Greek to me. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.599 It's funny, in the first century, 00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:57.119 that would have been like, 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:58.220 oh, we understand it perfectly 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.919 because we all speak 00:18:58.919 --> 00:19:00.839 this sort of common form of Greek. 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.200 Now, why did everyone speak 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.019 Greek in the first century? 00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:05.480 Well, because Alexander the Great, 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.659 because of Alexander the Great's 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.960 military conquests 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.779 that happened hundreds 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.779 of years earlier. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:13.519 As Alexander's empire expanded 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:15.800 through the sword, 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.759 Greek became the language 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.200 that everyone needed to use 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:19.940 to get by. 00:19:20.060 --> 00:19:21.380 It became the language of commerce. 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.240 It became the language 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.500 that connected the empire. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:26.900 And long after Alexander's empire collapsed, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.460 Greek remained 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:30.660 as the sort of common language 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.759 of the people. 00:19:33.080 --> 00:19:33.540 Now, of course, 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.259 there was a benefit 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:36.619 of having this common Greek language, 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.639 Koine Greek, 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.359 as it's called. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.940 It allowed people 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.779 from different cultures 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.859 to do interactions 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.240 and to do transactions 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.119 well enough. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.059 But, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:49.559 in addition to knowing Greek, 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.799 everyone there on that day, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.019 from different parts 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.519 of the known world, 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.539 everyone also had, 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.500 what the crowds call, 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.160 in verse 11, 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.700 their own tongue. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.019 I think of our church, 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:06.859 many of you here, 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.059 I'm guessing all of us here, 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.359 speak English, right? 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.220 But for a lot of you, 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.079 it's not your native tongue. 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.220 It's not the language 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.140 of your home, 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.279 your people. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.200 It's not the language 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.200 of your heart. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.240 Here's the point. 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:28.559 When the ascended Jesus 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.160 sends His Holy Spirit 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.359 upon His church 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.880 and empowers them 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:34.640 to advance His reign, 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.740 does it spread 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.880 like the empire of Alexander 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:41.460 or the empire of the Caesars 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.839 who were enforcing Latin 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.700 on their subjects? 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.019 Does it spread 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.039 with the coercion 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.799 of another tongue? 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.059 No. 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.960 God comes in their midst 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.440 and does what? 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.600 He speaks their language. 00:20:58.860 --> 00:21:01.059 The Spirit's first witness 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.700 in the church 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.940 is miraculously 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.980 in the native tongue, 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:06.819 the heart language 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.920 of everyone gathered, 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.640 no matter where they're from. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.799 You see, friends, 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:17.180 this is the central work 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.460 of the Holy Spirit, 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:22.420 to witness to Jesus Christ 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.680 in all the earth, 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.700 to take the things 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.759 that Jesus has done 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.779 and declare them 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:29.340 so that all can hear. 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.240 This is what Jesus Himself 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.900 taught His disciples 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.500 before His death 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:33.920 and resurrection. 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:35.200 Jesus was teaching them 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.039 about the Holy Spirit, 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.300 and in John 15, 26, 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.700 He says, 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.880 When the Helper comes, 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.480 whom I'll send you 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.080 from the Father, 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.860 the Spirit of truth 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.800 who proceeds from the Father, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:43.420 He will bear witness about me. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.320 He will glorify me. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:50.879 And the miracle of tongues 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.000 on the day of Pentecost 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.079 was a sign, 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.839 was a sign 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.279 that this message 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.359 was for everyone. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.220 Now, of course, 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.879 it was only Jews 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.200 who heard that first witness 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.319 on the day of Pentecost, 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:08.079 but as any reader of Acts 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.679 can see, 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.299 the day of Pentecost 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.480 also points forward 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.139 to the day 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.919 when the Gentiles, too, 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:15.599 would hear the Spirit's testimony 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.259 to Jesus 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.659 in their own tongue 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.500 and belief. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.819 And that's why, 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:21.379 by the way, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.179 when Cornelius, 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.099 if we fast forward ahead 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.659 in the book of Acts, 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.019 that's why when Cornelius, 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:26.059 the first Gentile believer, 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.740 hears the gospel 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.599 from Peter and believes, 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.659 there's this seeming 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.799 like mini-Pentecost. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.099 In Acts 10, 00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:32.059 the Spirit falls on them 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.039 and they speak in tongues, too. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.439 Why? 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:35.080 Because God's demonstrating 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:37.279 in that special moment 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.920 that the Gentiles, too, 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.759 are now included 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:42.120 in the one family of God 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.320 around Jesus the King. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.400 Now, there wouldn't be 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.100 two churches, 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.720 one for the Jews 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.580 and one for the Gentiles. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.420 Just as there's one Lord, 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.080 the Lord Jesus, 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.019 and just as there's 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.160 one Holy Spirit, 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.500 so there is one church 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.759 to the glory of God, 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.539 the Father. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.900 One church, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.460 one people, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.820 but many tongues, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:04.079 many languages, 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:06.460 many cultures. 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:08.740 And you see, 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.379 this is what, 00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:10.019 this is what 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:12.539 no earthly ruler 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:15.179 and no earthly empire 00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:16.220 could ever achieve, 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:18.559 a united people, 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:21.299 united in all their diversity, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:24.200 not forced into uniformity, 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.039 but liberated 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.700 into a symphony of praise. 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:30.539 Do you remember the event 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.840 in Genesis that happened 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:35.299 right before God's redemption plan 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.840 really got rolling with Abraham? 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.980 What was it that happens 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.779 right before the episode 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.360 with Abraham? 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:41.980 Do you remember? 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.519 Sword drill time. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:46.279 It's the Tower of Babel, 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.759 right? 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.480 What happens in the Tower of Babel? 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:51.259 Humans, in their pride, 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.640 gather together and say, 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:54.500 let's build a tower to heaven 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.100 and make a name for ourselves. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.759 So, 00:23:57.520 --> 00:23:58.000 they build up, 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:59.100 they gather all their resources, 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.040 they build a tower, 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.540 they think themselves 00:24:01.540 --> 00:24:02.100 pretty great, 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.680 God sort of looks down 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.500 at their tower and says, 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.460 oh, that's nice. 00:24:07.280 --> 00:24:08.259 Look at what you've done. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.700 And he says, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.320 don't you see, 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.240 this isn't my plan for you. 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.060 My plan for you 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:14.080 was to go forth 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:15.400 and to multiply 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.400 and be fruitful 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:18.100 and cultivate the earth 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.700 to my praise, 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.440 but here you are 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.740 building your little towers, 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.540 consolidating power, 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:24.259 that's not how 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.060 this is going to work. 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:25.540 So, 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.740 he confuses their tongues 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.720 and scatters them 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.460 in all directions. 00:24:29.780 --> 00:24:31.080 And the curse of Babel 00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:32.240 that sits over humankind 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:34.280 is that in our alienation 00:24:34.280 --> 00:24:34.800 from God, 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.740 we're alienated 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.520 from one another. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.460 Literally, 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.620 we can't even speak 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.620 one another's language. 00:24:42.280 --> 00:24:43.759 But when the Holy Spirit 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.320 comes 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:46.620 and testifies 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:48.120 in all of those languages 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:49.980 to the resurrected Christ, 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.740 what happens? 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.960 the curse of Babel 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:54.500 begins to be undone 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:57.059 and humans are united again, 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.220 having been reconciled to God. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.039 Of course, 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.640 not everyone there 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.440 on the day of Pentecost 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.420 heard it as a symphony 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.079 of praise. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.859 There were some 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.519 who mocked them 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.160 and said, 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.319 they're full of new wine. 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.259 Friends, 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.000 it's going to be the same 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.500 for the church 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.240 of every age. 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.660 Our spirit-filled witness 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:19.660 will face ridicule 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.580 at times, 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.700 so don't be surprised 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.480 when it comes. 00:25:24.300 --> 00:25:24.680 But, you know, 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.840 consider at the same time, 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:27.300 at the same time, 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.340 consider that when 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.480 the Spirit fell upon 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.000 the church 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.140 on that day of Pentecost 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:33.140 and they began 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.100 praising God 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:35.500 for His mighty works, 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:37.660 their joy was so overflowing, 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.160 their speech was so 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.620 rambunctious with praise, 00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:42.080 their voices so loud 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.840 with good news 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:44.039 that they could actually, 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:46.619 they actually could be accused 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.559 of being drunk 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.159 with new wine. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.740 How about you and me? 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:57.000 When the witness 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.599 of the Spirit 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.919 comes home to your heart, 00:25:59.399 --> 00:26:00.299 when the good news 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.259 of Jesus' death 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.839 and resurrection 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.459 comes home, 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:02.959 oh, 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:04.119 then Christians 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:05.579 have every reason 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:07.159 to be ecstatic. 00:26:10.199 --> 00:26:11.299 Death is defeated, 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:11.779 friends. 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:13.240 sins are forgiven, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.119 eternal life is granted. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.359 The God of the universe 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:18.019 looks upon you in Christ 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.039 and He calls you 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.779 beloved. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.980 We have every reason 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.619 to be overjoyed, 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:25.859 so don't bottle up 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:28.160 your joy, Christian. 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.839 Let the world think 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.599 we're crazy. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.680 Our King is alive 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:37.240 and there's nothing 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.200 that can separate us 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.139 from the love of God 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:41.079 in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:44.019 So, friends, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.139 we've seen the Spirit's power, 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.139 we've seen His work. 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:46.899 Lastly, 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.519 let's take a look 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.960 at the Spirit's goal. 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.940 In verses 14 through 21, 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.220 Peter stands up 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.039 and explains, 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.279 I think equally 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.019 with some jest 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.759 in his voice, 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.399 says, 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.660 friends, 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.559 it's only 9 a.m. 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.420 Obviously, 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.039 we're not drinking, 00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.480 right? 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.119 Instead, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.759 Peter, 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:03.160 to explain what's happening, 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.539 turns to a passage 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.119 of Scripture 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.299 to explain 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.420 what's taking place. 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.660 And that passage 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.180 is Joel chapter 2. 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.759 And as Zerion read 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.420 for us earlier 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.960 in the service, 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.539 Joel chapter 2 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.880 foresaw a day 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:18.300 when God's Spirit 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:19.700 wouldn't just fall 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:21.660 on a chosen few 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.000 amidst God's people, 00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:23.640 a priest here, 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.259 a king there, 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.279 a prophet there, 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.900 but rather the Spirit 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.440 would fall 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.860 on all God's people, 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.539 male, female, 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.680 young, and old, 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.759 rich, and poor. 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.379 They would all prophesy. 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.559 That is, 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.720 they would all speak 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:39.879 forth the praises 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.799 of God. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.440 And when the Spirit 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:49.119 came like that, 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:51.440 that would be the start 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.619 of what Peter calls, 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.500 what Joel calls, 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.259 the last days. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.259 In other words, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:02.220 the final great act 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.600 of God's plan 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.220 of redemption, 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:06.100 the last chapter 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:07.720 in God's saving plan 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.920 was unfolding 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.980 and unfurling 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:12.380 right before their eyes. 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.160 Peter tells the crowd 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.539 that day, 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.640 this is it. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:20.180 The Spirit has come 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.940 as promised, 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.220 and the final chapter 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.200 has begun. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.779 The Spirit is bringing 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.480 to fulfillment 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.700 God's saving work 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.460 what the Father 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.700 planned from eternity 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.700 and what the Son 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.480 accomplished 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.720 through His finished work 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.900 is now being applied 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:34.019 by the ministry 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.660 of the Spirit. 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:38.019 And the conclusion 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:39.980 of this last great chapter 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.360 of God's saving plan 00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:43.200 will be what verse 20 calls 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:44.360 the day of the Lord. 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.799 That is the day 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.299 when Jesus, 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.019 as He promised, 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.620 returns to judge 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.279 and to save. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.839 But as the Spirit 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.600 does His work 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.740 in these last days, 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.339 looking forward 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.620 to that day of the Lord, 00:28:58.619 --> 00:29:00.500 as He does His work 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.799 of testifying to Christ 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.979 during these last days, 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:04.739 what is His goal? 00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:07.799 Well, look at how 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.579 the passage of Joel 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.439 comes to an end. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.059 And it shall come to pass 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:14.579 that everyone who calls 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.879 upon the name of the Lord 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:17.719 shall be saved. 00:29:19.719 --> 00:29:20.839 The Spirit's goal 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.919 is nothing less 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.920 forgiveness of sins. 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.840 And our salvation, 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:25.920 that is, 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.840 our total rescue 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:29.900 from sin 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.800 and all sin's effects. 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.279 And what is the hallmark? 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:35.740 What's the centerpiece 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.920 of this rescue? 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.900 What's the linchpin, 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.140 the heart of it all? 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.539 Later in Peter's sermon 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.220 in verse 38, 00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:45.360 he says that the heart 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.679 of this salvation 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:48.939 is the forgiveness 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:50.379 of sins. 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.699 The forgiveness 00:29:52.699 --> 00:29:54.319 of sins. 00:29:55.459 --> 00:29:57.879 To be pardoned 00:29:57.879 --> 00:30:00.159 for all of your offenses 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:01.039 against God. 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.959 To have God 00:30:02.959 --> 00:30:05.240 wipe your record clean. 00:30:05.959 --> 00:30:07.740 To be reconciled 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.939 to God your Creator. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.339 To know that God, 00:30:11.459 --> 00:30:13.259 under whose just judgment 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.379 you once stood 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:16.259 because of your waywardness 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.879 and rebellion. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.200 To know that that God 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:20.920 will now never bring you 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:22.240 into condemnation. 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:23.680 And instead, 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.740 He will embrace you 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:26.579 not merely as His creature, 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.039 but embrace you 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.879 as His daughter 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:30.119 and as His son. 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.319 Friends, 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:34.240 this is what the work 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.980 of Christ has achieved. 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.039 You know, 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:38.279 too often we spend 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.519 so much of our time 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.160 and energy 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.019 and deliberations 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.180 thinking about how 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.200 we can fix this problem 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.759 and this problem 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.319 and this problem 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.759 and this problem. 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:46.019 Not realizing 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.660 that all of those problems 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:49.019 stem forth 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.019 from the heart 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.660 of the issue. 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.680 That we're alienated 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.220 from God, 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.200 the source of life. 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.539 Why do we see death 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.559 all around us? 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:58.080 Because as humans 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:59.200 we're like a flower 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.980 that's been cut 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.880 from its stem 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:02.819 and the petals 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.620 are wilting. 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.900 So what do we do? 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.440 We try to like 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.220 spray the petals 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.180 with all of this stuff 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.220 to try to get it alive. 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.039 But it doesn't work. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.500 Why? 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.379 Because we're ruptured 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.399 from the source of life, 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.039 God Himself. 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.960 And what Jesus 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.019 has come to do 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:21.879 is reconcile us to God 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:23.720 to get to the source, 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.639 to get to the heart 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.480 of all of our death 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.980 and decay, 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.639 to fix it 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:28.680 from the inside out. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.319 You see, 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.180 this is what the work 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.220 of Christ has achieved. 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:37.120 He died in your place 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:38.019 for your sin. 00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:39.740 He rose on the third day 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:41.259 to newness of life 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.420 so that everyone 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.160 who repents 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:43.980 and believes in Him 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.019 can be forgiven 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.880 of their sins, 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:48.319 reconciled to God, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.819 and granted a life 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.819 that never ends, 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.039 eternal life, 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:54.220 a life that will last forever 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:56.420 and that begins now. 00:31:56.420 --> 00:32:01.880 The Spirit 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:04.160 bears witness to Christ 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.920 so that you might hear 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:08.220 and so that by His work 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.800 in your heart 00:32:08.800 --> 00:32:09.539 you might repent, 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:09.940 believe, 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.740 and be saved. 00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:13.000 And the Spirit 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.880 is proclaiming 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:15.300 that same message 00:32:15.300 --> 00:32:16.560 here this morning. 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.700 And every time 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.420 the Scriptures are opened 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:21.019 and the gospel of Christ 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.820 is proclaimed, 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:24.420 the Spirit goes forth 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:24.820 and says, 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.539 call on the name 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.620 of the Lord Jesus 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.920 and be saved. 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:32.080 Will you respond 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.320 to that work 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:33.820 of the Spirit 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.400 this morning? 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.080 And friends, 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.080 the Spirit's work 00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:39.740 of witness 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:41.160 isn't just something 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:42.120 that goes forth 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:43.240 to unbelievers 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.300 calling them 00:32:44.300 --> 00:32:45.120 to believe 00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.900 and be saved. 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:47.380 That ongoing witness 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:47.880 of the Spirit 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:49.580 happens in believers too. 00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.680 What does Paul say 00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:52.160 in Romans? 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:53.400 The Spirit 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:54.519 bears witness 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.259 with our Spirit 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.640 that we are indeed 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.040 what? 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.960 Sons and daughters 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.580 of God. 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.040 The Spirit 00:33:01.040 --> 00:33:01.880 will continue 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:03.680 to speak that word 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.600 in your heart 00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:05.820 so that you will 00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:07.100 continue to live 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:08.600 more and more 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.640 and be more 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:10.080 and more 00:33:10.080 --> 00:33:11.180 who you are 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.180 in Christ. 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.880 Because you see, 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.400 salvation 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:16.580 in the Bible 00:33:16.580 --> 00:33:17.740 isn't just 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:19.060 a future reality. 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.160 Yes, 00:33:21.280 --> 00:33:22.800 it is future. 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.119 it has a glorious 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.119 hope and completion 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:25.599 to come, 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:27.019 but it's underway now. 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.740 For all who believe 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.200 in Christ 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.519 by the Spirit's power, 00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:32.639 your sins are forgiven 00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:33.460 now. 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.359 Your relationship 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:34.740 with God 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.740 is restored now. 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.639 You're united 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.599 to God's people now. 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.079 You're part 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:39.000 of His kingdom now. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:42.139 And that means 00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:42.919 life 00:33:42.919 --> 00:33:44.659 in these last days 00:33:44.659 --> 00:33:47.240 cannot be the same 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:48.519 as it was before. 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:50.279 for those 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.039 who know Christ 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.440 and are filled 00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:52.099 with His Spirit. 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:54.599 Our life here, 00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.639 the way we organize 00:33:55.639 --> 00:33:56.160 our life 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.920 and live our life 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.720 and arrange our life 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.400 and center our life, 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.599 it cannot be the same 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:01.359 because heaven 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:01.859 has come down 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:02.240 to earth 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.440 and begun the work 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:05.079 of making 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.900 all things new. 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.460 And 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:34.340 for the dramatic 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:36.019 social change 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.960 that would take place 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:38.280 when God arrived 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:38.900 in His kingdom. 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:42.039 as if to say 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:43.360 that when God 00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.460 does His mighty work, 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.460 the world 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.680 will never be the same. 00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:49.559 It will be like 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.079 the world 00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:51.840 is in labor pains, 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.920 but through it all, 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:55.480 a new creation 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.420 is coming to birth. 00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.800 And let's boil that 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.619 down to you and me. 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.380 Friends, 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.400 if you take Jesus Christ 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:04.940 as your Lord, 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:06.079 it will mean a revolution 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:07.639 in how you live your life. 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:10.180 you will no longer 00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.880 be in charge. 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:11.740 He will. 00:35:12.660 --> 00:35:13.280 To surrender 00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.619 to His loving kingship 00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:15.260 may mean 00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:16.780 dramatic changes 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.840 to your lifestyle, 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.599 to your goals, 00:35:18.680 --> 00:35:19.760 to your life plan. 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:21.880 It may feel sometimes 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.000 like your world 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.099 is falling apart 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:27.019 because of its 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.079 radical newness, 00:35:29.240 --> 00:35:30.139 because of the way 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:31.000 in which all the old 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:31.940 things you used to depend 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.940 on and live for 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:34.260 are no longer 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:34.800 now the center 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.440 of your life. 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.880 But that disorientation 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.039 and reorientation, 00:35:40.160 --> 00:35:40.920 that's not the end 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:41.599 of the story 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:44.059 because repentance, 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:44.619 that is, 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:46.059 surrendering your life 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:46.460 to Jesus, 00:35:46.680 --> 00:35:47.579 centering your life 00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:48.640 on Him and His love, 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:49.380 yes, 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.420 it will at times 00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:51.480 feel destabilizing 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:52.079 and risky 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.980 and deorienting. 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.700 The old world 00:35:53.700 --> 00:35:54.200 you're used to 00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.900 is falling away, 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:56.680 but the new creation 00:35:56.680 --> 00:35:57.700 that God is ushering 00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.280 you into 00:35:58.280 --> 00:36:01.820 is far and away 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.440 worth it. 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:07.280 the Spirit is in the business 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.740 of saving you, 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:10.659 not just forgiving 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.360 your sins, 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.679 but remaking 00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:13.720 your whole life, 00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.599 sanctifying you, 00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.380 making you holy 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:18.860 and beautiful 00:36:18.860 --> 00:36:20.980 just as God Himself 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:21.659 is holy 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:23.019 and beautiful. 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.460 Just like the Spirit 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.179 came down 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:26.920 on the waters 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:28.360 of the unformed 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.280 first creation 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:30.440 and brought form 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:31.440 and beauty, 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.900 that's what the Spirit 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.660 is up to now. 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:37.000 He wants to take 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:38.740 your native tongue 00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:41.000 and make it sing 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.840 His praise 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:44.040 because, friends, 00:36:44.100 --> 00:36:45.200 that's what your native tongue 00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:46.019 is meant for. 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.260 For too long, 00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:48.880 the languages 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:49.580 of our hearts 00:36:49.580 --> 00:36:50.720 have sung the praise 00:36:50.720 --> 00:36:51.860 of this fallen world 00:36:51.860 --> 00:36:53.460 with its false gods, 00:36:54.060 --> 00:36:55.100 and what we've gotten 00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:55.880 in return 00:36:55.880 --> 00:36:57.500 is spiritual death. 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:59.599 But the Spirit 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.019 has come 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:01.119 to liberate you 00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:02.920 to sing a new song, 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:04.320 the song 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:05.019 that only you 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.719 can sing, 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.079 the unique song 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:08.019 of your life 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.880 in the praise 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.619 of your Creator 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.239 and Redeemer, 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.579 in the praise 00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.739 of the Triune God, 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.139 Father, Son, 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.619 and Spirit. 00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:17.679 That's the Spirit's goal. 00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:21.699 And, friends, 00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:22.300 that's how 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:24.179 a small group 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:25.920 of once frightened, 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.280 once puzzled, 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:28.380 and once 00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.079 in the world's eyes, 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:30.079 simple men and women 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:32.260 so quickly became 00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:33.820 a force 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:35.360 to be reckoned with. 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.519 And that's how 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:38.159 you and I 00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:39.480 will continue 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:41.179 to turn the world 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:41.860 upside down, 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.460 not by ourselves, 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:45.300 but by God, 00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:45.960 the Holy Spirit. 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:47.739 Let's pray. 00:37:47.739 --> 00:37:47.820 Amen. 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:55.700 come, Holy Spirit. 00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:57.840 Come and do 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.360 your work. 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.600 Come liberate us 00:38:00.600 --> 00:38:02.680 from sin and idols. 00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:05.100 Come grant us faith 00:38:05.100 --> 00:38:07.460 in Jesus, 00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.480 our Lord and Savior. 00:38:09.160 --> 00:38:10.200 Come do your work 00:38:10.200 --> 00:38:11.440 of purifying work. 00:38:12.600 --> 00:38:13.740 Come do your work 00:38:13.740 --> 00:38:14.760 of gifting your church 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:15.420 for ministry. 00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:17.920 Come do your work 00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:18.700 of magnifying 00:38:18.700 --> 00:38:19.480 the name of Jesus 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:20.240 in our midst. 00:38:22.240 --> 00:38:22.980 And, Spirit, 00:38:23.680 --> 00:38:24.880 allow us, 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:26.000 help us, 00:38:26.720 --> 00:38:27.600 empower us 00:38:27.600 --> 00:38:28.960 to keep in step 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.420 with you. 00:38:31.600 --> 00:38:32.340 To the glory 00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:32.880 of the Father, 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.060 in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:38:34.120 --> 00:38:34.500 we pray. 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.000 Amen. 00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.200 Amen. 00:38:35.199 --> 00:39:05.179 Thank you.