WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.960 As Wes said, we are beginning in Acts chapter 2. 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:11.620 If you turn there with me to Acts chapter 2. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:15.019 And as you're getting there, 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:21.800 ! I hope that you take opportunities to thank all of the musicians in our church. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:27.400 We have so very many that share the stage and swap out so graciously together. 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:32.320 I'm especially thankful for the way in which they prepare. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:35.719 They are here earlier than most of you, 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:40.439 which likely means they got up earlier than most of you to get this together. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:43.200 The guys that have to come and run the technology. 00:00:43.339 --> 00:00:44.659 I keep mentioning we have this new board. 00:00:44.739 --> 00:00:50.959 We're still sorting it out back there and figuring out all the technical intricacies of it. 00:00:51.539 --> 00:00:55.359 I'm thankful that Wes and Liz worked to find us new, 00:00:55.359 --> 00:01:01.179 Christ-centered, God-honoring songs to sing together. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:05.439 So if you don't, be sure to take some time at some point to thank them. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:11.519 It's not why they do it, but let's affirm them and keep them moving on in that process. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:17.400 Our text for this morning is Acts chapter 2, verses 1 through 12. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:28.340 And this morning we have the great privilege and joy before us to observe a significant watershed moment in the life of the church. 00:01:28.980 --> 00:01:32.020 Everything changes after this. 00:01:32.860 --> 00:01:36.880 If you have placed your faith in the personal work of Jesus Christ, 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:40.500 this is part of your history. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:45.200 And it has great significance for your life in Christ. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:54.219 We have before us the day in which God unlocked the power of the Holy Spirit and gave it to the church. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:58.359 Beloved, this is God's Word to us. 00:01:58.859 --> 00:02:01.640 It was written for His glory and for our good. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:08.259 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:11.259 And I begin reading in verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:41.259 00:02:41.259 --> 00:03:01.359 And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:28.100 We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:32.840 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.180 What does this mean? 00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:40.340 Now before we pay close attention to today's text, 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:45.840 I want you to recall so far in Luke's record what has happened. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:48.459 Chapter 1, verse 3. 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:53.680 We get a little summation of Jesus' post-resurrection ministry. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:58.700 He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:03.760 appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:08.960 So He has been with them, going out from amongst them and telling them more. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:12.180 He's teaching them about the kingdom of God. 00:04:12.260 --> 00:04:15.340 And then a command comes to them, verses 4 and 5, 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.600 to stay and to wait. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:22.140 While they were staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:25.700 but to wait for the promise of the Father, which He said, 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:27.320 You heard from Me. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:33.900 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:36.020 And then verse 8. 00:04:36.660 --> 00:04:41.140 We see the promise of power for the fulfillment of their purpose. 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:44.600 And that is the gospel to the ends of the earth. 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:48.280 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:56.120 And you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. 00:04:56.200 --> 00:04:57.220 And then verse 9. 00:04:57.700 --> 00:04:59.200 We witness the ascension. 00:04:59.340 --> 00:05:01.640 And when He had said these things as they were looking on, 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:06.220 He was lifted up and a cloud took them out of their sight. 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:10.879 So we talked last week about the time in between Jesus' ascension. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:12.280 What were they doing? 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:15.279 They were together and devoting themselves to prayer. 00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:17.919 And they had a concern for what the Scriptures had to say. 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:20.319 They cared about apostolic authority. 00:05:20.479 --> 00:05:24.439 They replaced Judas with Matthias in this time. 00:05:24.679 --> 00:05:30.019 And then 10 days later, we see chapter 2, verse 1. 00:05:30.159 --> 00:05:34.000 The day of Pentecost arrives. 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:37.219 And Pentecost means 50th. 00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:42.540 This celebration is also known as the Feast of Weeks. 00:05:42.640 --> 00:05:44.940 And for them, it was a yearly feast. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.580 Happened all the time as subscribed by Leviticus chapter 23. 00:05:50.380 --> 00:05:54.180 We now know it as the day of Pentecost. 00:05:54.320 --> 00:05:58.660 We don't continue to celebrate Pentecost the way they did, 00:05:58.660 --> 00:06:03.400 but it's a day in the history of the modern church. 00:06:03.580 --> 00:06:06.780 And what a day this was. 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:14.380 Now, there is so much to consider in this text. 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:18.860 And so I've decided I'll deal with it this week and next. 00:06:19.340 --> 00:06:22.300 And if you're here with us last week, I really said to you, I expressed to you, 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:25.180 I really hope not to get off the preaching schedule that I set out for the year. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:27.300 We're already off the schedule. 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:33.040 There's just too much in this text to deal with it well, 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:37.019 to aptly talk through it in a single week. 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:44.439 And so next week, we will look broadly at what is meant by being filled with the Holy Spirit 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:48.840 and the exact nature of its implications for us today. 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:50.280 There's a lot there. 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:55.359 I came to my study of it this week with certain assumptions that I found to be true, 00:06:55.739 --> 00:07:00.779 but boy, did I find a lot of other understandings of this particular text. 00:07:00.859 --> 00:07:04.099 And I really think we need to take some time to work through that. 00:07:04.239 --> 00:07:12.179 What does it mean to be both baptized by the Holy Spirit and filled with the Holy Spirit? 00:07:12.419 --> 00:07:15.439 And so let me just say to you, this week, 00:07:16.159 --> 00:07:20.079 you ought to be studying and prayerfully considering what these things mean. 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:24.359 And then I'll do my very best by grace to speak about it next week. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:26.919 There's so much here. 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:29.560 And I fear if we don't get it right here, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:33.599 we're going to get very confused as we work our way through the rest of the book. 00:07:33.979 --> 00:07:36.399 Okay, so I'm preparing notes. 00:07:36.779 --> 00:07:40.879 I've got, as I have gotten fairly good at looking at pages of notes 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:43.259 and calculating that into minutes of preaching, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:51.019 this morning, I said, whoa, this is an hour and 45 minutes by my quick estimation. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:54.159 And so what I'm going to do this morning, 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:56.500 or what I did frantically at 5 a.m. 00:07:56.539 --> 00:07:59.719 is I stripped out the historical context. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:02.639 Okay, so I'm pulling that portion of the text out. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:04.860 So we're going to look at verses 1 through 12 in that way, 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:09.000 and then we'll pick up and look at it in light of the filling of the Holy Spirit, 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:12.439 and that works specifically next week. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:16.740 So hopefully that'll make this a much shorter sermon, 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:18.800 but still an important one. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:22.139 So don't hear me saying I'm taking out unimportant details 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:24.520 and just throwing you historical context 00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:26.720 so that I don't have to talk about it next week. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:31.540 It's still very important because in those historical details, 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:37.399 we can see God's sovereign reign over redemptive history. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:38.720 So that's what I want. 00:08:38.800 --> 00:08:40.039 That's the goal of today. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:44.259 The one thing I want us to see together from verses 1 through 12 of chapter 2 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:49.320 is God's sovereign reign over redemptive history. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:52.620 He has always been in control of redemptive history. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:56.899 He is in control of redemptive history here in Acts chapter 2, 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:02.079 and He still is in control of redemptive history. 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:05.779 We find here this event that happens, 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:08.899 like the sending of, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:09.319 --> 00:09:15.319 However, the disciples did not fulfill some special sort of requirements 00:09:15.319 --> 00:09:18.819 in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:21.419 They hadn't worked out some type of equation, 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:24.319 and then they were filled. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:27.040 This is entirely a divine act, 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:29.700 a work on God's part. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.720 Now, you remember that Jesus commands them in verse 4 and 5. 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:36.320 They were commanded to stay and wait. 00:09:36.780 --> 00:09:40.340 They're not commanded to pray that the Holy Spirit will come. 00:09:40.420 --> 00:09:43.960 They're commanded simply to stay and to wait. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.360 Now, certainly in between time, 00:09:45.400 --> 00:09:46.820 we find that they're doing some praying, 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.240 but that is not what Jesus commands them to do. 00:09:50.400 --> 00:09:54.080 I think it's wrong to assume that that is what they were doing. 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:55.560 They're praying for other things. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.560 They're praying the way that Jesus taught them to pray. 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:59.760 They're praying that God's kingdom would come, 00:10:00.760 --> 00:10:02.680 and God sends the Spirit. 00:10:04.180 --> 00:10:04.780 Verse 2, 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:07.100 It being the Spirit, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:14.339 the sound of the Spirit fills the entire house where they were sitting. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.759 So they're gathered again in a house. 00:10:17.839 --> 00:10:23.360 We can assume it's the same upper room that they've been part of in the end of Jesus' ministry, 00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:28.199 and in these in-between days waiting for the day of Pentecost. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.000 But we don't know exactly what they're doing. 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:35.020 But what we can know is that they weren't at this time praying. 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:40.280 The positions of prayer in their day were to stand, 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:42.400 to kneel, 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:46.220 or to lay prostrate on the ground. 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:49.100 Luke records it for us in this way. 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:53.120 He's clear to say in the house where they not just were, 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.060 but where they were sitting. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.659 They could have been having a meal. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.779 They could have been discussing the Scripture. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:02.379 They could have been discussing their morning and how it had gone. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.759 We don't know what they were doing, 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:06.500 but they weren't praying. 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:08.440 And I'm pressing at this with you, 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:11.179 not to mitigate the importance of prayer at all, 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:15.139 but to say they weren't working something out on their own. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:18.060 The sending of the Spirit of God was not synergistic. 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:19.039 It was monergistic. 00:11:19.579 --> 00:11:23.079 The pouring out of the Spirit was divinely decreed. 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:26.139 Let me further make the point to you. 00:11:26.859 --> 00:11:28.019 The beginning of verse 2, 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:29.339 Luke records, 00:11:29.599 --> 00:11:30.319 and suddenly, 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:33.639 which is to say it was a surprise to them. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.779 They hadn't sorted out the equation. 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:36.919 They weren't doing the right things. 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:37.819 And then He came, 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:39.599 and suddenly there came from heaven. 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:40.279 They'd been waiting, 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:42.699 and here He is. 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:45.119 And it came from heaven. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:49.560 He emphasizes their surprise and the source. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:52.120 Their surprise and the source. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:55.879 This is going to have much later significance into next week 00:11:55.879 --> 00:12:00.279 as we talk more about the filling of the Holy Spirit. 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:02.899 So, the day of Pentecost arrives, 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:06.600 and they were together in one place. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:11.139 Now, in order to see God's sovereign reign over redemptive history, 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:13.960 that He sent the Holy Spirit at this particular time, 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:15.200 in a particular way, 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:19.240 to show His sovereignty over redemptive history, 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:21.920 we must first understand, 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.379 as 21st century Christians, 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:27.639 the significance of Pentecost. 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:29.560 As a matter of fact, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:31.340 it would be helpful to understand the feasts 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:33.840 outlined in Leviticus chapter 23 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:36.379 as they present for us 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:39.100 a New Testament timetable. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:41.100 This is very cool, beloved. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:43.980 The way that God set forth the feasts 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:48.000 in order to fulfill in Christ 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.960 what those feasts were meant, 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:52.639 what they prefigured for us, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.700 what they represented. 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.580 So, if you'd like to turn to Leviticus chapter 23, 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.120 you can. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.639 I'm not going to read much of it. 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.759 So, if you'd like to be there 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.920 just to see what I'm talking about, 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.019 but for further study, 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:03.840 at very least, 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:05.160 write down Leviticus 23 00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:06.440 and go and look at this. 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:08.940 First, God prescribes the Passover. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.760 The Passover feast. 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:14.420 And the killing of the Passover lamb 00:13:14.420 --> 00:13:17.580 pictures the death of Jesus Christ, 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.320 our Passover lamb. 00:13:21.020 --> 00:13:24.760 And this was when Jesus was crucified. 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.120 The Passover. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.420 Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5, 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.940 last half of verse 7, 00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:30.920 Christ, 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:33.220 our Passover lamb, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:35.840 has been sacrificed. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:39.000 So, Passion Week ends there 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.820 with Passover. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.940 Jesus Christ is crucified. 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:47.140 The second is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:51.120 And it celebrated the day after Passover. 00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:54.080 It was an offering of the first fruits 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:56.040 of the grain harvest. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.460 They came together and feasted 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.740 and made an offering. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:01.200 Leviticus 23, 15 commands 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.240 that it be celebrated 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:05.660 the day after the Sabbath. 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:07.379 Now, in Jesus' day, 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.500 the popular interpretation 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:10.040 of that command meant 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:12.420 that the offering would always be 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:13.759 on a Sunday. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:16.040 There were some competing interpretations 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:17.900 between the Sadducees and the Pharisees, 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:19.680 but the observed interpretation 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:21.460 was that of the Sadducees. 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:24.300 So, the Feast of Unleavened Bread 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:25.900 would have always been on a Sunday, 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:28.419 and it would have coincided 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:30.799 with Jesus' resurrection. 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:32.899 Tracking the timeline? 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:36.459 This pictures Jesus 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:39.579 as the first fruits of those 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:42.019 who have fallen asleep. 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:44.620 Raised from the dead 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.939 just as we are raised 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:49.319 from the dead in Christ. 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:51.439 1 Corinthians 15, 20, 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:52.179 Paul writes, 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.399 But in fact, 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.839 Christ has been raised 00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:55.519 from the dead 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.719 the first fruits of those 00:14:57.719 --> 00:14:59.759 who have fallen asleep. 00:15:00.359 --> 00:15:00.399 Right? 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:01.899 To the audience he's writing to, 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:02.559 they get this. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.599 They're very aware 00:15:03.599 --> 00:15:06.079 of this system of feasts 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:08.120 that the Jews celebrated. 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:10.559 The third outline 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:11.539 in Leviticus 23 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:14.039 is Pentecost. 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:14.699 Right? 00:15:14.739 --> 00:15:16.120 The Feast of Weeks. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.659 It's a nether offering 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.679 of first fruits. 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:20.579 And let me read to you now 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:23.579 from Leviticus 23, 15 and 16. 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:27.219 You shall count seven full weeks. 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:27.779 That's why it's called 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.599 the Feast of Weeks. 00:15:28.599 --> 00:15:29.319 Seven full weeks. 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:31.059 Seven days. 00:15:31.239 --> 00:15:31.419 Right? 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:33.019 From the day after the Sabbath. 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.259 From the day that you brought 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:36.139 the sheaf of the wave offering. 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.959 You shall count 50 days 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:42.059 to the day after the seventh Sabbath. 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.579 Then you shall present 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.399 a grain offering 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:46.659 of new grain to the Lord. 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:51.339 So, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:53.879 on the day of Pentecost 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:56.279 as the first fruits 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.879 of the believer's inheritance. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.879 Are you catching the significance 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.919 of the timeline 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:03.039 that was set forth 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.079 in Leviticus 23 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:06.319 and that God now is following 00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:07.679 in these events 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:09.159 in redemptive history? 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.399 He sent the Holy Spirit 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.939 on the 50th day 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:14.759 because it was the day of Pentecost. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.480 It's not because the apostles 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.819 got something right. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:18.539 Right? 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.840 It's monergistic. 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.439 He had already decided 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:25.080 this is how this will happen. 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:25.539 Right? 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.460 Praise God for His sovereignty 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:30.100 in all of these things. 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:30.740 Right? 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.120 Jesus sends the Holy Spirit 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.000 on the day of Pentecost 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.139 as the first fruits 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:36.740 of the believer's inheritance. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.620 Ephesians 1, 13 and 14. 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.179 Paul writes, 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:57.620 So, God decrees 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.639 that the Holy Spirit 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.519 be sent to the disciples 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:02.859 on the day of Pentecost. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.939 Isn't that incredible? 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:06.920 That just the very history of it 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.120 speaks so much 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:10.920 of who God is to us 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.200 in Christ. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.840 And when he does this, 00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:19.680 there's some audible evidence of it. 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.080 Verse 2 says, 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.340 And suddenly there came from heaven 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:25.940 a sound like a mighty rushing wind 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.279 and it filled the entire house 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:30.120 where they were sitting. 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.759 Now, I don't think it's proper 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.680 for us to understand 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.980 that there actually was 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.379 a rushing wind. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:35.980 Right? 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.059 All of their hair 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.119 got incredibly messed up. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:38.660 I don't think that's 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.339 what's happening here. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:42.319 But Luke is grasping at metaphor. 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.720 He's trying to explain 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:45.259 what it sounded like. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.980 And he says that. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.059 And it's there in the Greek, 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:47.779 like. 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:48.900 And later on, 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.579 as he describes 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.819 the divided tongues, 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.579 he says, 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:55.039 as of fire. 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.819 Doing the very best that he can 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.240 with the language at his disposal 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.440 to help us to understand 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:01.160 what was happening here. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.680 In both Hebrew and Greek, 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.740 the words for wind and spirit 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:10.400 are the same words. 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:12.420 And wind is often used 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:14.519 as a picture of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.619 Do you recall Jesus' explanation 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:19.059 to Nicodemus in John 3.8? 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:21.099 The wind blows where it wishes 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.879 and you hear its sound, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.799 but you do not know 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.819 where it comes from 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:26.200 or where it goes. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.980 So it is with everyone 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:30.519 who is born of the Spirit. 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:33.039 You see that symbolism there 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.460 and the Spirit comes 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:37.039 and you can audibly hear Him coming 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:40.700 like a mighty rushing wind. 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.639 There's also visible evidence. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.259 Verse 3. 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.279 And divided tongues, 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:48.400 as of fire, 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.220 appeared to them 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:51.720 and rested on each one of them. 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:54.220 That was very commonly understood 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:58.599 that fire was symbolic of light. 00:18:58.599 --> 00:19:01.259 And that may be a little difficult for us 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.719 because very few of us 00:19:02.719 --> 00:19:05.579 ever see much of anything by fire anymore 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:07.059 because we have all this technology 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:08.299 around us 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:10.000 that generates light 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.019 in a much different way. 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:11.699 But for them, 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.259 this would have been 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.719 the only source of light 00:19:13.719 --> 00:19:14.859 apart from the sun 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:16.959 and the reflective properties 00:19:16.959 --> 00:19:18.119 of the moon 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:19.279 and the stars. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:19.879 And so, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.679 the fire itself 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:23.339 was symbolic of light. 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:26.599 The Holy Spirit illuminates, 00:19:26.699 --> 00:19:27.939 gives light to, 00:19:28.439 --> 00:19:30.220 the truth of God. 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.419 Jesus said in John 14, 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:34.419 verse 25 and 26, 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:36.699 These things I have spoken to you 00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:37.980 while I am still with you. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.240 But the Helper, 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.939 the Holy Spirit, 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:43.399 whom the Father will send in My name, 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:46.159 He will teach you all things 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:47.759 and bring to your remembrance 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:51.039 all that I have said to you. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:53.559 So, the Spirit of God 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:55.859 comes in this way 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:58.139 and consistent with the promise 00:19:58.139 --> 00:20:00.659 that Jesus made concerning Him. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.559 And this same Spirit 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.980 is ours today, 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.899 although He comes to us 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:08.119 in a much different way, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:10.519 not like mighty rushing wind 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:12.299 and with divided tongues 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.420 as of fire. 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:17.799 This amazing transitional event 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.519 happened here. 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.220 We receive the Spirit 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.500 in a much different way, 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:22.299 but yet we still have 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.140 His power 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:25.160 and His illuminating purpose 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.160 for the Scripture. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.680 Verse 4 says, 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.119 And they were filled 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:30.859 with the Holy Spirit 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:33.660 and they began to speak 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:35.019 in other tongues 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:37.160 as the Spirit 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.859 gave them utterance. 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.799 Now catch, 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.579 they're doing this 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.599 as the Spirit 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.819 empowers them for it. 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.440 They're not doing it 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.220 of their own accord. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.920 They're doing it 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.220 under the guidance 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.019 of the Spirit of God. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.759 and they're speaking 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:51.059 in other tongues. 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:52.240 Now we are going to get 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.500 to the complexity 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.539 of what that could possibly mean 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:57.139 in other texts. 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.859 But all it means 00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.680 in this text 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.279 is that they've spoken 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.879 other known 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:05.019 spoken languages. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:05.980 Here. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.079 For sure. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.900 Without a doubt. 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.559 That's what it means. 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:13.019 Verse 6, 7, and 8. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.680 And at the sound 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.019 of the multitude 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.639 came together. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.920 So all of these people 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.920 were gathered around 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.940 at this mighty rushing sound. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.799 It's my presumption 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.059 that the disciples, 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.259 not just the apostles, 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.000 but all of those 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.859 that are there gathered, 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:26.240 come out of the house 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:28.059 and begin to speak 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.839 in these varying 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:30.039 known languages. 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.319 And they were bewildered 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:31.920 because each one 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.660 was hearing them speak 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:34.279 in his own language. 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.879 And they were amazed 00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.839 and astonished, 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.220 saying, 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.139 Are not all these 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:40.019 who are speaking Galileans? 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.660 And that is to say 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.200 they're all from 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.819 the same region, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.799 which is that they would have 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:44.319 spoken the same language, 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:46.000 but also Galileans 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.720 were not intelligent people. 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.700 Lay people, right? 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.159 These weren't 00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:51.779 sophisticated city people. 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.680 Like, how could they 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.440 possibly know 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.539 all of the languages? 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.519 That's what they're suggesting. 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.599 Aren't they all Galileans? 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.819 Like, how is it even possible 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.819 that Galileans 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.299 would know 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.700 so many known languages? 00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:03.000 And how is it 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.819 that we hear 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.759 each of us 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.460 in his own 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.299 native languages? 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:07.960 Right? 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.579 So they're speaking 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.019 in these known languages, 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.980 but what were they saying? 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.980 The last part of verse 11 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.819 tells us. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.839 We hear them telling 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:18.599 in our own tongues 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.240 what? 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:22.019 The mighty works 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.160 of God. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.539 They're speaking 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:26.519 in the languages, 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.720 the native languages 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.640 of these people, 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.920 so they can hear 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.720 and understand 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.860 what? 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.019 The mighty works 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.559 of God. 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.460 At the outset 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.259 of our study of Acts, 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.960 I set forth 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.940 some goals for us, 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.660 three goals. 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.860 Do you recall goal three? 00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:43.320 Goal three was 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:44.440 to pay careful attention 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:46.259 to the means 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.800 and the ways 00:22:47.800 --> 00:22:49.360 of the Holy Spirit 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:51.420 for our study of Acts. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.400 Pay careful attention 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.000 to the means 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.920 and the ways 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.980 of the Holy Spirit. 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.160 I've said to you before, 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.340 the primary role 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.920 of the Spirit of God 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.960 is the exaltation 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.759 of Jesus Christ 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.500 in the salvation 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.680 and perfection 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.880 of His church. 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:05.140 The exaltation 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.279 of Jesus Christ 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.080 in the salvation 00:23:07.080 --> 00:23:08.360 and protection 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.200 of His church. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:11.759 This is His primary role. 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.240 It's going to help us 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.420 filter a lot of understanding 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.759 about the Spirit of God. 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:17.259 The primary means 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.920 is the Word of God 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.720 spoken 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:21.180 by the people 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.420 of God. 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.720 And here we see 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.460 the first record 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.360 of the ways 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.519 that that happens. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.100 Speaking the Word of God, 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:30.380 speaking of the mighty works 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:30.840 of God 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:31.840 in the languages 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:33.720 of the people. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.180 So He uses this 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.140 as a method 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.259 by which to tell 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.680 people that speak 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.920 other languages 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.940 about the mighty works 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:43.500 of God. 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.880 Now I want to draw 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.240 your attention 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.500 to the front of your bulletin. 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.580 God finds 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.940 very creative ways 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.420 to humble me 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:53.040 and to remind you 00:23:53.040 --> 00:23:53.960 of my great need 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.580 of grace 00:23:54.580 --> 00:23:57.200 in the typo 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.100 in the Charles Spurgeon quote. 00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:01.179 I can't, of course, 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.039 misspell some insignificant word, 00:24:03.199 --> 00:24:03.699 but it has to be 00:24:03.699 --> 00:24:04.319 the third part 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.799 of the Trinity 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:07.199 that I call 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:08.119 the Holy Spirit. 00:24:12.219 --> 00:24:13.299 So let me read it to you 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.939 as it should. 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:17.539 He said, 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.240 There will never be 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.379 any mighty work 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.339 come from us 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.579 unless there is first 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.940 a mighty work 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.980 in us. 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:25.740 No man truly labors 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.299 for souls 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.740 unless the Holy Spirit 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.960 has first 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.119 worked mightily 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.339 in Him. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.599 No amount 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.619 of planning 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:35.359 or preparation 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.599 has any value 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.559 whatsoever 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.299 apart 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.940 from the power 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.980 of God 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.940 at work 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.759 in us 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:44.220 and through us 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.940 to accomplish 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:46.079 His purposes. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:48.679 Set that very clearly 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.980 in your mind, beloved. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.559 That's axiomatic 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.639 to understand 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.579 what the Christian life 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.279 should look like. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.220 And we are so quick 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.179 and so ready 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:58.599 to run off ahead 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:00.099 apart from Him. 00:25:00.679 --> 00:25:02.500 Stay and wait 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.139 for the power of God 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:05.220 that your ministry 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:07.259 might be effective 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.339 because apart from it 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:10.139 it will not be. 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.519 God is sovereign 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:14.359 over redemptive history. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.059 He is calling together 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.899 His church 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:17.539 and we are merely 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.480 instruments 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:20.039 in His hand. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.399 Another way 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.159 to see God's 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.859 sovereign reign 00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:25.379 over redemptive history 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:27.039 is to consider 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.399 what has happened 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.379 on this day, 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:31.000 this day of Pentecost. 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.339 Right? 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.099 So it's a day 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:33.220 that God has set forth 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:35.200 hundreds of years earlier, 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:37.159 Leviticus chapter 23 00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:38.879 and it's become 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:40.279 this festival 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.059 after the dispersion 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.399 of Israel 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.059 and the regathering 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.119 of it 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.979 and the dispersion 00:25:44.979 --> 00:25:45.279 of it 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.759 and the regathering 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.059 of it 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.699 that there are 00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:48.779 Jewish people 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.959 and there are converts 00:25:49.959 --> 00:25:50.559 to Judaism 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.399 spread out 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:53.039 all over 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:55.000 the known world. 00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:56.519 And Pentecost 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.379 as one of these 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.879 three major feasts 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.779 would have brought 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.799 together Jews 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.079 from far 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.299 and wide. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:05.000 It's a unique day 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.819 that would have brought 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.679 these people 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:07.519 together. 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.879 The multitude 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.779 was in Jerusalem 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.139 for the worship 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.600 of God. 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.240 That's why 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.220 they had gathered there. 00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:13.780 It was for the 00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:14.960 proper worship 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.500 of God. 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:16.480 It was the perfect 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:18.080 moment in history 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:19.000 to begin 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.840 the church 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:21.240 of Jesus Christ. 00:26:21.800 --> 00:26:22.520 The beautiful 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:23.080 opportunity 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.759 for the apostles 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.920 to begin to preach 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.460 that all that you 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.140 have practiced, 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.540 all of the Judaism 00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:29.259 that you know 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.140 was meant to point 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:31.500 you to Jesus 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.020 and He has come 00:26:33.020 --> 00:26:34.240 and He has died 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.120 and He has been raised 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:36.740 and He has ascended 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.080 that we might believe 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:39.120 in Him. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:41.279 This is crucial 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.599 to the gathering 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.399 of those people, 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.279 the starting 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.859 of the church 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.500 and then later 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.019 we'll see in the 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.599 book of Acts 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.579 there again 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:49.219 they're scattering 00:26:49.219 --> 00:26:50.000 back out 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.819 to take that good 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.579 news of Christ 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.619 to the world 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.779 around them. 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:55.579 Verse 5 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.039 Now there were 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.839 dwelling in Jerusalem 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.039 Jews, 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.379 devout men 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.639 from every nation 00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.979 under heaven, 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.439 Parthians 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:04.459 and Medes 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:04.779 I'm not going to 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.399 read all that again. 00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:06.899 I worked so hard 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.479 at pronouncing those 00:27:07.479 --> 00:27:08.139 right once. 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.660 You've got the text 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.120 before you, 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.440 right? 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.360 I'm going to read 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:13.660 from you 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.500 from MacArthur's 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.340 commentary on this 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.600 and actually 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:16.900 I'm going to have 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.380 to pronounce those 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.740 again because 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.600 he talks about them 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.000 here. 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:20.700 But he just sums 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.180 all this up 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.680 and says this 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.240 so well 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.280 and I just want 00:27:23.280 --> 00:27:23.920 to give him 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.920 the proper credit 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.500 due him 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.860 for this 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.259 and give you 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.940 some explanation 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.440 of who all 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.040 these people were. 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.060 So there were 00:27:30.060 --> 00:27:30.660 Jews living in 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.000 Jerusalem 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.660 at the time 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.280 of Pentecost, 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.020 devout men 00:27:33.020 --> 00:27:33.700 from every nation 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.300 under heaven. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.480 Those who went 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.220 to the trouble 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.259 to make the pilgrimage 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.140 were obviously 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:38.940 devout men. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.460 They traveled 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.379 far distances 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.420 to be there 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.099 at this time. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.960 The phrase 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.759 from every nation 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.420 under heaven 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.519 is an idiomatic 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.400 expression meaning 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.779 from many lands 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:49.240 or from all 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.960 of the nations 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.839 where Jews 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:52.160 had been dispersed. 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.900 It was a broad term. 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.000 Parthians lived 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.920 in what is modern 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.440 Iran. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.420 They had never 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.140 been conquered 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.720 by the Romans 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.420 and remained 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.579 their bitter enemies. 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.319 Medes partners 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.319 in empire 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.099 with the Persians 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:07.019 in Daniel's time 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.839 were now part 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.639 of the Parthian 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:09.299 empire. 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.720 Elamites lived 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.339 in what is now 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.480 southwestern Iran. 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.220 They too were part 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.059 of the Parthian empire. 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.079 The residents 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.240 of Mesopotamia 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.779 lived between 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.619 the two great rivers, 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.259 the Tigris 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.579 and the Euphrates. 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.019 Great numbers 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.639 of Israelites 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.480 had been deported 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.139 to that region 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.059 by the Assyrians 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:25.139 and Babylonians. 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.740 Not all had returned 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.339 to Palestine 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:27.960 at the time 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.059 of Cyrus' decree. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.379 Judea should probably 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.039 be constructed 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.720 in the broadest sense 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.859 as all the region 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.500 once controlled 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.099 by David and Solomon. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.379 That would explain 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:39.899 the absence of Syria 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:40.740 from the list. 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.000 Cappadocia, 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.440 Pontus in Asia, 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.339 Phrygia and Pamphylia 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.559 were all regions 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.599 in Asia Minor, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.319 modern day Turkey. 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.599 They had a large 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.480 Jewish population 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.000 as did Egypt, 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.240 particularly in the city 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.879 of Alexandria. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.420 It was in that city 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.539 that the Septuagint, 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.420 the Greek translation 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.139 of the Old Testament, 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.119 had been produced. 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.619 The districts 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.259 of Libya 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.359 around Cyrene 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:05.000 were west of Egypt 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.259 on the African coast 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.679 of the Mediterranean Sea. 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.279 Josephus, 00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:11.079 a Jewish historian, 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.919 mentions a Jewish 00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:12.819 population there. 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.199 That there were Jews 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:14.759 in Rome 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.019 as well as Gentile 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.039 proselytites, 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.239 so converts to Judaism, 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.179 is obvious 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:19.739 from the Emperor 00:29:19.739 --> 00:29:20.859 Claudius' expulsion 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:22.339 of them some years later. 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.819 That's recorded 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.379 in Acts 18.2. 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.799 Cretans were from 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.599 the island of Crete 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.179 off the southern 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:28.000 coast of Greece. 00:29:28.479 --> 00:29:29.139 Arabs were Jews 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:30.079 living in the kingdom 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.579 of the Nabataean Arabs 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.599 located south 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.699 of Damascus. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.839 And so they are people 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:37.199 from far and wide, 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.339 from all around 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:41.039 what is mostly known 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.619 of the world 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.480 in that day. 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:42.799 Of course, 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.179 there are people 00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:45.199 much further than that, 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.919 but this is the 00:29:45.919 --> 00:29:47.299 perfect orchestration 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.980 of events, 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.379 right, 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.399 brought together again 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:51.419 by God's sovereign reign 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:52.419 to jumpstart 00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:54.159 the rapid expansion 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:55.319 of the church. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.319 We find the church 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.519 on three continents 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.159 in one generation 00:29:59.159 --> 00:30:00.700 after this, 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.099 right, 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.819 watershed, 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.939 amazing moment 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:05.899 in redemptive history. 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.939 And verse 12 says, 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.919 And all were amazed 00:30:09.919 --> 00:30:11.220 and perplexed, 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.779 saying to one another, 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:15.799 What does this mean? 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:18.619 They're not wondering 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.379 what the words, 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.639 the mighty works of God, 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.500 are, right, 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.299 but they're speaking 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.720 the mighty works of God, 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.700 the Old Testament works 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.639 of God up to this place. 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.700 Quite likely, 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.599 some new information 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.259 about the kingdom of God 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:34.480 coming in Jesus Christ. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.919 I don't think verse 12 00:30:35.919 --> 00:30:36.700 is meant to mean 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:38.059 that they're scratching 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.659 their heads 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:39.819 and they need clarification, 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.859 but they're saying, 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:43.059 This is a major day. 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.799 What does this mean? 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.220 Right? 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.119 Here are these people, 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.000 these Galileans, 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.019 speaking in all 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:49.899 of these various languages. 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:52.279 What does it mean? 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.799 And it marks this 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.460 massive transition, 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.299 a new economy 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.680 of the Holy Spirit, 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.720 the life of the church. 00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:03.119 Further in chapter 2, 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.819 Peter stands up amongst them 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.839 and tells them 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.139 what it means. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.879 It's the fulfillment 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:11.000 of Joel chapter 2, 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.740 which speaks of the 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.259 outpouring of God's Spirit 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:16.159 and the coming judgment 00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:17.399 of God. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:19.240 And the end of that 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.559 from Joel 2.32 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:22.639 in Acts 2.21, 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.319 Peter says, 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:26.019 And it shall come to pass 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.000 that everyone who calls 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.819 upon the name of the Lord 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:31.579 shall be saved. 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.839 And we see the conviction 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.559 of the Spirit 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.379 in the lives 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.639 of the early church 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:39.559 and this massive expansion 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.919 of that number of disciples, 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:42.700 that about 120 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.419 that we see 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.779 in chapter 1 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.599 gets blown up 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:46.399 to thousands 00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:48.059 upon thousands 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:49.720 in just a matter 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:51.200 of days. 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:53.960 What an amazing event 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:55.000 for us 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.039 to observe 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.920 together. 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.180 And beloved, 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.819 this is 00:31:58.819 --> 00:32:00.019 our history. 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:02.180 It's part of our story. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.399 It has implications 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.779 for today. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.359 And I hope 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:07.440 you've seen 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.720 God's sovereign reign 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:11.099 over that story. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:12.759 We are part 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.919 of God's 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:15.339 redemptive purposes. 00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:16.459 You, 00:32:17.219 --> 00:32:18.099 if you've placed 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.599 your faith 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.179 in the person 00:32:19.179 --> 00:32:19.859 and work 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.639 of Jesus Christ, 00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:23.079 have a place 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.359 in this story 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:25.500 and it is 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:27.159 a glorious one. 00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.480 Let's pray together.