WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.600 Well, I have a shopping theory. 00:00:02.040 --> 00:00:04.780 There are two basic kinds of shoppers. 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.580 There are the grazer shoppers. 00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:13.460 These are the folks that when they shop, they go from aisle to aisle, basically grazing 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:19.160 as they shop, kind of looking at different racks and imagining who this would look good 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:22.460 on and maybe accessorizing all the while. 00:00:22.460 --> 00:00:29.719 And I am prone to graze shop when I enter into a chainsaw shop. 00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:37.899 I look at the different engine displacements and the different sizes of these chainsaws 00:00:37.899 --> 00:00:43.040 and then I start accessorizing and thinking about the leather chaps I can be wearing and 00:00:43.040 --> 00:00:47.040 the helmet with the kind of come down face protecting on it. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:53.280 I didn't, man, I just graze in a chainsaw shop for a good half hour to an hour. 00:00:55.259 --> 00:00:59.899 And then there are the missional shoppers. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:04.219 These are the folks that before they leave their house, they already know what they're 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:04.859 going to purchase. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:09.219 They arrive and they are on a mission. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:10.939 They have a singularity of focus. 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:15.239 I tend to be on the missional side of shopping myself. 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:21.519 And so if my wife Jenny and I are driving to Menards in my pickup truck, I tend to have 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:23.239 an already sense of what I need to purchase. 00:01:23.539 --> 00:01:25.759 I have a layout of Menards in my mind. 00:01:26.119 --> 00:01:31.619 I know I need to hit plumbing and then I hit windows and then the candy aisle and then I'm 00:01:31.619 --> 00:01:31.840 out. 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:39.560 And if I pull up and Jenny says something to the extent of, Mike, can we do this in about 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:40.179 12 minutes? 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:42.060 I rise to that. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:45.540 I'm like, oh, we'll have seven minutes to spare. 00:01:45.659 --> 00:01:48.560 I will sprint because I'm on a mission. 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:53.920 When we talk about mission, we're talking about a singularity of focus. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:01.859 And our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, he is on a mission. 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:06.159 Christmas season has gone. 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:11.900 Our Christmas tree is lying horizontal in the Christmas tree graveyard in Lincoln Park right 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:12.199 now. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:18.000 But the incarnate Christ, he remains. 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:19.939 He's risen. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:21.579 He's reigning. 00:02:22.139 --> 00:02:28.960 And he's carrying out his mission through his church to spread the joy of the gospel to 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:29.520 the nations. 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:37.760 And so this morning, what I want to convince you of is that not only is the risen incarnate 00:02:37.760 --> 00:02:43.280 Christ on mission, he's called you to be a part of his mission too. 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:51.780 He's called you to be on mission with him to bring the joy of salvation to the nations. 00:02:53.040 --> 00:02:57.260 Christmas has everything to do with God's mission to save sinners from their sins. 00:02:57.259 --> 00:03:05.039 So this morning, we're going to return to that classic Christmas passage in Luke chapter 2, where 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:09.979 the angel declares to the shepherds the good news that a Savior has been born. 00:03:10.739 --> 00:03:17.879 And what I want to help you to see this morning is that this angel came announcing the good news, 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:21.120 that there was great joy. 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:25.460 It was a grand task for the peoples. 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:31.639 And then we're going to wrap up tonight or this morning by talking about the God promise. 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:38.679 So four moves this morning, if you want to follow me, the good news, which is the message of the mission, 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:46.719 the great joy, which is the delight of the mission, the grand task, which is the scope of the mission. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:54.099 And then we're going to close by looking at the God promise, God's power for the mission. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:02.340 So Christ is on a mission, the risen incarnate Christ, and he's called us to be a part of it. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:09.039 So let me just read Luke chapter 2, verses 10 and 11, just to remind you. 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:17.579 And the angel said to them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good news, good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:24.120 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:26.699 The good news. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:34.339 This angel came to the shepherds in the fields with a verbal announcement. 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:41.259 The mission, the message of the mission is proclamational. 00:04:41.979 --> 00:04:43.479 We declare it. 00:04:44.039 --> 00:04:45.379 We announce it. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:52.599 And the angel of the Lord in chapter 2 of Luke, verses 10 and 11, he comes proclaiming Christ. 00:04:54.359 --> 00:04:57.339 A Savior has been born that day in the city of David. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:04:59.939 So he's a descendant of David. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:01.059 He is the Christ. 00:05:01.159 --> 00:05:03.000 He is the Lord, God incarnate. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:09.860 And so what we see happening in Luke chapter 2 is that Luke begins his gospel with the announcement, 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:13.579 the angelic announcement of the birth of the Christ. 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:15.800 That's good news. 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:24.300 But it's not the capital G, capital N good news. 00:05:24.860 --> 00:05:30.839 The good news of the birth is part of the capital G, capital N good news of the gospel. 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:42.679 If you flip in your Bibles to the end of the gospel of Luke to Luke 24, I want you to see the rest of the good news. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:50.959 And as you're flipping your pages to Luke 24, let me just remind you that right now you're fast forwarding through the life of Jesus. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:57.899 You're fast forwarding through his teaching, his healing, his casting out demons, his raising people from the dead. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:05.139 And as you're getting to the end of the gospel of Luke, you are fast forwarding through his crucifixion. 00:06:06.339 --> 00:06:10.699 The first Good Friday, when the Lord Jesus Christ hung on a cross. 00:06:11.179 --> 00:06:16.799 And at the ninth hour, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:24.819 And Luke records that immediately after that happened, Jesus says, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:27.000 Here's why I'm telling you this. 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:28.060 That's good news. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:31.800 It's good news. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:35.519 Something happened when Jesus was on the cross. 00:06:35.960 --> 00:06:38.120 Something happened that shows up in the temple. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.900 Something happens when he gives up his spirit. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:43.560 Something happened right there. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:50.800 And so, as we move forward, Jesus is buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:59.420 And we are fast forwarding into Luke 24, where early in Luke 24, it's the first, it's the resurrection day. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:02.980 Early that morning, Jesus is raised from the dead. 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:04.980 The tomb is empty. 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:14.900 And what we see happening throughout 24, starting in verse 36, is that the risen Christ Jesus shows up in Jerusalem, 00:07:15.460 --> 00:07:19.220 standing in the midst of his disciples in the upper room. 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:20.520 And they're shocked. 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:22.420 They thought he was dead and gone. 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:26.400 But here he is standing before them. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.599 And he convinces them. 00:07:30.719 --> 00:07:42.500 He seeks to convince them that it's really him raised bodily, incarnate from the dead. 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:46.419 Verse 39, he urges them to touch him. 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:51.360 He shows them his hands and his feet. 00:07:51.520 --> 00:07:55.400 The very marks of the sacrifice on the cross. 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:59.360 He, in verse 41, asks them for something to eat. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:01.800 And they give him some broiled fish, and he eats it. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:10.560 What Luke is making plain is that Jesus, raised from the dead, remains incarnate. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:21.680 And then what we see happening in Luke 24 is that the risen incarnate Christ tells his disciples in verse 44, 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:24.220 if you pick up there with me, he says, 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:27.699 These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:31.920 These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.139 Here's what Jesus is saying. 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:37.120 That everything that just happened, everything that you witnessed, 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:42.539 my suffering, my crucifixion, and now my resurrection, 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:48.980 everything that you have seen is what I was telling you about before we got to Jerusalem. 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:52.100 It's the very things I was foretelling. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.340 Now, if you remember from our study of the book of Matthew, 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:59.360 three times Jesus tells his disciples before they get to Jerusalem 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:02.019 that when they get there, he's going to be handed over, 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:04.699 he's going to be killed, and he's going to be raised from the dead. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.000 And so what Jesus is saying here is that, 00:09:07.319 --> 00:09:09.799 Hey, what I told you would happen has happened. 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:15.259 And in verse 44, at the latter half, he says, 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:20.500 That everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:27.039 My suffering, my crucifixion, my resurrection, 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:33.620 it's all fulfillment of the law and the prophets and the Psalms. 00:09:33.719 --> 00:09:38.279 The Old Testament is fulfilled in its anticipation in me. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:43.639 What we're talking about here is the heart of the gospel. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:49.000 The essential message of the mission. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:53.340 That not only did God take on flesh, 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:56.620 but this same God suffered. 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:59.379 This same God was crucified. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:03.620 This same God was raised from the dead. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:07.980 And so when the apostle Paul talks about this message in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:09.419 do you know what he calls it? 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:10.679 He says, 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:14.579 This is the matter of first importance. 00:10:16.239 --> 00:10:20.039 Christ, who he is and what he's done, 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:22.259 is of first importance. 00:10:23.479 --> 00:10:25.479 It's all about Jesus. 00:10:26.239 --> 00:10:28.959 It's all about who he is, 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:31.259 God incarnate and what he's done. 00:10:31.739 --> 00:10:34.139 Suffered, crucified, raised. 00:10:36.599 --> 00:10:37.779 This is good news. 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:42.459 This is full good news. 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:47.459 Jesus had to take on flesh in order to suffer, 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.299 in order to be crucified, 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:53.120 and in order to be raised from the dead. 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:56.539 Now maybe you're asking yourself a question like this. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:02.100 How is God incarnate dying on a cross good news? 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:05.100 I mean, seriously, birth announcements, that's good news. 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:05.699 I get that. 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:09.860 But an obituary, the news of someone's death, 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:12.060 that doesn't sound like good news. 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:14.840 Something happened. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:18.340 Jesus' death accomplished something. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:20.960 That makes it good news. 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:24.940 Now some hear this and they may think, 00:11:25.040 --> 00:11:26.180 Well, this sounds all made up. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:28.220 Or they hear this and they start thinking, 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.220 This is some kind of psychological crutch. 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:31.879 Or others hear this and say, 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.840 The raising of a dead man? 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:36.019 That's scientifically impossible. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:39.220 But if you are in the room this morning, 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:47.860 And you personally are experiencing the real guilt over past sin. 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:55.240 If you personally know firsthand the shame over past sin. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:12:00.539 And if you personally find yourself struggling with the real fear. 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:03.419 What does this mean for me when I die? 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:06.139 I've done this. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:08.600 What does God think about that? 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.899 And what does that mean for my eternity? 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:13.779 If you find yourself there. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:18.519 Remember this news of Jesus, 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:20.899 The incarnate God suffering, 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.740 Crucified and raised. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.500 This is good news for you. 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.919 Jesus, our Emmanuel, 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:34.740 Didn't die accidentally on the cross. 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:38.200 He purposely died on the cross. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:44.860 He died as a substitute for those who realize that they're truly guilty before God. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:49.899 If you know you've got hell to pay for your sin, 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:53.379 This is good news for you. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:59.759 So my friend, if you're struggling under the weight of your own sin, 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:04.120 You've come into a building at the right time. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:08.680 To hear God speak a word to you, 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:11.320 That will bring great joy to you. 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:17.779 The heart of this good news, 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:20.919 Of which the angel in Luke 2 starts to declare, 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.899 That God has become a man. 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.340 Merry Christmas. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:25.919 Amen. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.259 He's been born, 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.980 But he lived a perfect life. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:31.440 He suffered, he died, and he was raised, 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:35.500 In order to substitute himself for sinners, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.340 So that they would be forgiven of their sins. 00:13:41.400 --> 00:13:43.880 The very thing that you fear, my friend, 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:47.040 That your sin stands against you, 00:13:47.380 --> 00:13:51.140 Jesus has addressed by dying on the cross. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:54.440 He references himself as a ransom. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:14:01.040 He came as a ransom to pay for your sin. 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:05.340 That's really good news. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:12.680 This is, if you look in verse 47, 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:15.940 Jesus, verse 46, it says, 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:18.200 It's written that the Christ should suffer, 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:20.019 And on the third day rise from the dead, 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.980 And that repentance and forgiveness of sins 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.860 Should be proclaimed. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.899 It's through the incarnation, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:28.759 Suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:32.360 That God offers the forgiveness of sins 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:35.559 To any sinner around the world. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.919 It's wonderful good news. 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:43.740 But you have to be willing to acknowledge the fact 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.620 That you're a sinner. 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:48.700 This is not good news to those who don't think 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:52.120 That their sin has a consequence with a living God. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.600 At the beginning of Luke, 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:57.340 The good news is a birth announcement. 00:14:57.340 --> 00:15:00.399 A Savior's been born, 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:02.120 Christ the Lord God. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:04.340 And by the end of Luke, 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:07.500 The good news comes into full view. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.160 This Savior born, 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:11.920 Christ the Lord, 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.519 He suffered, 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:14.660 He died, 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.180 And was raised. 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:16.840 So, 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:19.340 And this is the essential content 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:22.220 Of the message of the gospel. 00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:25.379 In which God offers full forgiveness, 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:26.840 Full pardon, 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.600 For all of your sin. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.139 You see, 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.820 Christmas, 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.940 Merry Christmas, 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:36.700 It's about salvation. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.340 It's about God coming to save. 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:45.280 The incarnation is vital to the gospel, 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:47.240 But it's not the whole gospel. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.820 The whole gospel 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:50.500 Is He was brought, 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.759 He became a man, 00:15:52.160 --> 00:15:53.540 Suffered, died, raised. 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:56.219 It's all about Jesus. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.379 This good news, 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.360 The angel declares, 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.559 Verse 10, 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.259 Shows up in the person of Jesus, 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.219 Verse 11, 00:16:04.719 --> 00:16:05.659 Who He is, 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.759 And what He's done. 00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:11.939 It's December 31st. 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:16.539 And I'm not sure if you're the New Year's resolution type, 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:20.059 But I've got a New Year's resolution for you to consider. 00:16:21.719 --> 00:16:25.299 If the gospel message is all about Jesus, 00:16:25.719 --> 00:16:26.620 Who He is, 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.599 And what He's done, 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:33.480 Can I just call you to make Jesus, 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:34.959 Who He is, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.379 And what He's done, 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:40.179 Your first priority in 2018. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:43.399 That He becomes your first love. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:46.479 That He becomes your all-consuming love. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:50.299 That He becomes the one to whom you live for. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:53.899 This is the gospel message. 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.839 This is the good news. 00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:59.199 We talked about good news. 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.859 Let's talk about the great joy. 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:03.979 This angel comes in Luke 2.10. 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.419 He says, 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:07.559 I bring you good news of great joy. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:10.779 What kind of joy are we talking about? 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:16.559 Well, that great joy with which He looks talking about, 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:20.399 Shows up in a different way in verse 47 of Luke 24. 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:23.799 And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.799 The great joy that this angel speaks of, 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.940 Of this child, 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:33.359 Is the great joy of forgiveness of sins that He's going to bring. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:39.059 Let me ask you a question. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:42.899 Who would be more joyful? 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:49.079 A man who makes $45,000 a year and is forgiven of a $10 debt? 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:56.599 Or another man who makes $45,000 a year who's forgiven of a $300,000 debt? 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.779 Who would be more joyful? 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:01.339 The guy forgiven of a $300,000 debt. 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:03.980 Who would be more joyful? 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:07.679 A 30-year-old woman pardoned of a misdemeanor with a small fine? 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:12.740 Or a 30-year-old woman pardoned of a felony with a 15-year prison sentence? 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.259 Who would be more joyful? 00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:21.199 The 30-year-old woman who was pardoned of a felony with a 15-year prison sentence? 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:24.080 Let me let you into something. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:35.200 Our tendency as human beings is to minimize the offense of our sin against God. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:44.519 We tend to think of our sins against a holy God as misdemeanors which God is glad to look beyond. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:48.940 And so it shows up like this. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.539 A guy doesn't like another guy. 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:59.019 And he says something like, well, I'm not killing anybody. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.000 I just don't like the guy. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:03.839 Or it shows up like this. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:10.140 Man, it's not like I'm cheating on my wife, but man, I'd like to lay eyes on her a little bit more. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:17.319 Hey, it's not like I'm lying under oath for something really important. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.900 It's just a little white lie. 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:18.940 Why? 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:24.900 We tend to minimize our wrongs. 00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:29.519 Let me ask you this. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:36.640 What happens if those little misdemeanors were actually more grievous in God's sight than you realized? 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:47.020 So what happens if the hate that God sees in your heart towards this other guy that you're not planning on murdering, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:52.640 but he sees it as the seed of murder for what it is, and it's grievous to him? 00:19:54.580 --> 00:20:02.240 What happens if God sees the lust in your heart because that lust in your heart is adultery of your heart, 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:04.500 and God is offended by that? 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:07.660 He's the most faithful of all. 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:13.059 And what if God sees the dishonesty with your little white lie, 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:17.599 and he's repelled by it because he's the God of truth? 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.299 He never lies. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:24.160 The typical way sinners measure their offense 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:29.339 is by comparing their sin to the sin of other sinners. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.200 I'm not that bad. 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:31.900 Look at him. 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:40.180 But the humble of heart measure the offense of their sin against a holy God 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:43.700 and his holy will revealed in the scriptures. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:49.980 So when you start to see your sin the way that God sees your sin, 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:55.819 or you start to feel about your sin the way that God feels about your sin, 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.319 do you know what's going to happen? 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:05.480 You're going to realize your great need for a great Savior. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:12.519 And that is a work of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:17.240 We learn from John 16 that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:21.599 convicts sinners of their sin against God. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:29.139 The Holy Spirit shows us that our sinfulness goes beyond our own sense of self-disappointment 00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:31.819 and our own sense of disappointing others 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:35.579 to helping us see that our sin is an offense against God. 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:44.339 Do you know what happens when great sin is forgiven? 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.179 Do you know what happens? 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:51.019 When you realize the greatness of your sin against a holy God 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:54.339 and you realize what Jesus has done for you, gospel, 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:58.500 what you then experience is great joy. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:01.359 I've been forgiven much. 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:09.599 Do you remember that prostitute who entered the house of Simon the Pharisee in Luke? 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:14.740 Jesus is sitting at table with this well-known Pharisee 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:19.799 and this prostitute walks in and she just starts weeping over Jesus 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:22.900 and she starts using her hair to clean his feet. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:26.460 Jesus speaks a parable and the parable says, 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:29.860 He who's been forgiven little loves little, 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:34.340 but this woman who's been forgiven much, she loves much. 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:36.720 She knows what she's been forgiven of. 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:40.559 My friends, this morning, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:45.440 do you know what you've been forgiven of? 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:51.460 In order for you to experience the great joy of salvation in Jesus, 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:56.980 you first have got to experience the godly grief over your sin. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:00.860 The great joy with which the angel speaks in Luke 2 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:08.319 is the great joy that springs from being forgiven by a great Savior. 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.819 It's all about a great salvation. 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.319 Remember the song, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:16.279 Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:19.319 You can't sing that without joy. 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.319 Joy of being saved. 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.500 Joy of being rescued. 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:30.319 Is it personal? 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:35.359 Is it personal? 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:40.059 Do you realize what you've been rescued from? 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:46.099 One of the things as we go into 2018 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:48.139 is if you're here right now and you're like, 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:48.599 you know what? 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:52.019 I'm not sure if I fully get what Jesus has rescued me from. 00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:54.200 I'm not sure if I fully understand 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:56.059 the grievous nature of my sin. 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:58.159 Can I encourage you to take this step? 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:04.000 Ask God to show you the depth of your sin. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:08.039 God, would you help me to see how sinful I am? 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:11.200 And what will happen is He'll show you 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:15.339 and then what you'll see is the glory of Christ all the more 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:19.879 and your joy will be deepened as a result. 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.879 What also will happen is this. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:27.099 If you have a growing sense of your own sinfulness 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.460 in need of Christ 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:31.659 and the great joy that comes from believing in Him, 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:35.180 you're going to start looking at other people differently. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:38.259 You're going to start wondering, 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:41.660 man, do they have the joy? 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:45.279 Do they know what Christ has done for them? 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:50.820 To be on mission for Jesus 00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:52.519 is to recognize, 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:56.600 I am a great sinner who's been forgiven much 00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:58.759 by a great Savior. 00:24:58.759 --> 00:25:03.640 Let's look at the grand task. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:08.059 We've looked at the good news, 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:10.240 the message about Jesus. 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.879 We've looked at the great joy 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:13.619 that springs from realizing 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:16.660 this Christ has substituted Himself 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:18.660 for my great sin 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.980 and now I'm forgiven 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:23.519 and now let's look at the grand task. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:26.460 In Luke 2.10, 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:29.660 the angel says that this good news of great joy 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.259 is for all the people. 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:33.180 And the shepherds who are listening 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.460 would have thought about it this way. 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.539 It's good for all the Jewish people. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:41.660 These shepherds, 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.819 as I mentioned before, 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:46.500 according to kind of Jewish cultural norms, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.779 the Jewish social standing, 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:52.059 shepherds where they kind of click up 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:54.759 on the social strata from lepers. 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:57.039 So this angel saying, 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.960 hey, I bring you good news of great joy 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.960 for all the people, 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.440 even you low guys. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.339 This is good news. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.980 But they're probably thinking 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:08.259 he's still within the Jewish society. 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:14.160 If you flip back to Luke 24, verse 47, 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.039 Jesus expands it. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:18.700 He's talking about, in verse 46, 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.799 the Jewish Christ who would suffer 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:22.119 and on the third day rise 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:23.160 after being crucified. 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:25.099 And then in verse 47, 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.579 we read, 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:28.559 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:30.579 should be proclaimed in his name, 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:31.299 the name of Jesus, 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.139 to all nations. 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:36.879 Not just Jews, 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.960 but to all non-Jews. 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:44.480 Jesus expands the scope of the mission. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:49.160 So the gospel message is a gospel message 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:51.460 about a Jewish Christ 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.299 who's God in the flesh, 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:55.420 who suffered, crucified, 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.039 and was raised. 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:59.700 And anyone who responds in repentance and faith 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:02.460 has a great joy in that. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.579 And you don't have to be a Jew to believe it. 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:10.859 Everyone needs to hear the message about Christ 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:12.960 because everybody's a sinner. 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:16.819 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:19.339 What Luke is getting at, 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.259 at the end of Luke, 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.339 here in Luke 24, 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:24.679 this is the great commission. 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:29.139 This is the call to the disciples of Jesus 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.180 to go and proclaim. 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:34.640 And what I want to bring you to is this, 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:37.140 is that the risen incarnate Christ, 00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:40.300 who is the focus of this message, 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:43.420 is presently reigning on high, 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:46.200 advancing his kingdom around the world 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:48.740 through the proclamation of the gospel. 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:52.180 There are people worshiping Jesus 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:54.360 all around the world right now 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:57.039 because they've experienced the great joy 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:59.939 of his substitutionary death on their behalf. 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:03.740 The risen Christ, 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:05.759 we've learned this morning from Simon, 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.879 he's at work in Nepal. 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.859 He's at work in Brazil. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.439 I talked to a man two weeks ago. 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:12.199 God is at work in Brazil, 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.959 China, North Korea, Kenya, 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:18.399 Cuba, Iran, Israel, Russia, 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.959 the United States of America. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:24.440 Here's another way to think about it. 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:27.140 God is spreading gospel joy 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:29.799 to sinners around the globe. 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:32.960 And Kenosha, this city of 100,000, 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:37.480 this is our little slice of the world. 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.480 And so as a church, 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:41.559 we're committed to partnering with people 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:43.900 like The Rise around the world 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:47.720 to make known Jesus to their people groups. 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:52.059 But we're not going to leapfrog the mission field 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:54.000 that God has called us to 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:58.400 in order to be supporting foreign missions. 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:02.339 God has called us to a unique work 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:06.500 of mission here in the city of Kenosha. 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.079 Have you heard the expression, 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:12.440 think globally, act locally? 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:16.960 That's the call of Christ on our church. 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.620 We're going to be thinking globally. 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:22.340 And where God provides opportunities 00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:23.660 to partner with other people, 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:26.340 we'll consider it and take what is most wise. 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:29.640 But we're going to act locally. 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:31.960 That's going to be our priority. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:37.880 A priority of advancing Christ's mission locally. 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:41.480 Secondly, there are people in this city 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:45.260 who will respond in repentance and faith 00:29:45.260 --> 00:29:48.800 with great joy upon hearing the good news of Christ. 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:53.820 Right now we're taking steps to that 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:54.940 in a variety of ways. 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:58.760 But God has recently brought an evangelist to our church. 00:29:58.920 --> 00:30:00.020 We're praying for more. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:03.340 And there is a growing burden among people in our church 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:05.060 to open up their homes 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:07.839 to people who don't presently believe yet 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.819 to hear the gospel. 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:15.740 This morning I want to give you a very practical way 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:20.159 to start thinking globally but acting locally. 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.879 I'd like you to write this on your notes. 00:30:23.919 --> 00:30:25.299 Write down three words. 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:29.039 Neighborhood mission map. 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:32.419 Neighborhood mission map. 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.220 Here's what this is. 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:37.259 Think about where you live. 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.440 Maybe you live in an apartment 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:40.480 or maybe you live in a house on a block. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:44.799 You're looking down upon your apartment or block 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:47.639 and what you're going to write on your neighborhood mission map 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:51.519 is a scale with like little rectangles 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:54.599 of all the houses within five doors of you. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.899 Apartments within five doors of you. 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.259 Write them down. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.940 And then here's the first step 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:02.899 of putting together a neighborhood mission map. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:05.600 Write down all the names of your neighbors. 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.320 Just write them down. 00:31:08.280 --> 00:31:09.580 And when you do that, 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:11.800 your experience will be my experience 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:12.980 when I did this a month ago. 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:16.600 I know maybe half of them by name. 00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:17.560 You know what that means? 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:20.500 I've got a lot of nameless neighbors. 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.560 And you know what makes it really easy to do? 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:24.360 Just drive on right by. 00:31:24.780 --> 00:31:25.720 I don't know them. 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:30.240 So the purpose of a neighborhood mission map 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:33.480 is to start to get to know your neighbors. 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:37.440 And when you get to know their names, 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:42.240 you're going to start seeing image bearers living around you. 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:47.140 Image bearers that are under the consequence of sin 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:49.560 and need to hear the gospel. 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:57.660 It's one thing to make a neighborhood mission map 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.480 of your neighborhood 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:01.920 and to see the nameless neighbors. 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:06.160 It's another thing to make time and effort 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:10.200 to go meet your nameless neighbors. 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:16.360 To compel you to cross the street on a January 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.620 when it's 20 degrees 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:18.920 and knock on your neighbor's door 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:21.019 to get to know their names. 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:24.759 What's going to compel you to do that? 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:29.940 What's going to prompt you to do such a thing? 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:36.759 Well, our risen and reigning Savior 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.980 has given us the Holy Spirit 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:42.440 to empower our ministry. 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:46.799 To compel us to cross the street. 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:52.220 When we think globally and act locally 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:55.180 on this huge call, 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.880 this huge mission we're on, 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:59.019 it's really important to realize too 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.599 that God has made a promise. 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:05.680 So this fourth point, God's promise, 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:07.180 the power of the mission. 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:12.980 And here I'd like you to look at Luke 24, 48 and 49. 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:17.559 Jesus is speaking to his disciples 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:19.019 and he says, 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:21.539 you are witnesses of these things, 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:24.440 my suffering, crucifixion, resurrection. 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:27.620 And behold, I'm sending the promise 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:29.140 of my Father upon you, 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.860 but stay in the city 00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:32.940 until you are clothed with power 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:34.480 from on high. 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:38.299 When Jesus says in verse 49, 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:41.319 I'm sending the promise of my Father upon you, 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:43.539 he's not speaking of a what, 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:45.599 he's speaking of a who. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.140 The promised Holy Spirit. 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:50.860 The third person of the Trinity. 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:54.000 And the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:55.819 will clothe his disciples 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.440 with power from on high 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.720 to be his witnesses 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:00.920 to Jerusalem and beyond. 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:03.279 to give them the courage 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.460 and the boldness 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:06.840 to proclaim the Jewish Christ 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:08.440 incarnate, suffered, 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:10.280 crucified, and raised, 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:12.760 and now offers to all forgiveness. 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:22.720 One of the things Jesus knows 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:23.620 about us 00:34:23.620 --> 00:34:25.100 is that 00:34:25.100 --> 00:34:27.020 we need power 00:34:27.020 --> 00:34:27.840 for the mission 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.880 he's called us to. 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:33.180 And he's provided it 00:34:33.180 --> 00:34:34.420 in the Holy Spirit. 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:38.820 Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:41.480 also wrote Acts. 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:44.700 And in Acts chapter 1, 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.700 Luke picks up 00:34:45.700 --> 00:34:48.500 where his Gospel leaves off. 00:34:49.600 --> 00:34:50.920 The risen Christ 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.980 is in the upper room 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.480 in Jerusalem 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.340 with the disciples. 00:34:54.060 --> 00:34:55.800 And Jesus tells his disciples 00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:57.260 that they're going to receive power 00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:58.360 when the Holy Spirit 00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:59.480 comes upon them 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.460 to be his witnesses. 00:35:00.620 --> 00:35:01.640 Chapter 1, verse 8. 00:35:02.220 --> 00:35:04.920 And then these disciple witnesses 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:06.700 empowered by the Holy Spirit, 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.560 they're going to proclaim 00:35:07.560 --> 00:35:08.180 the Gospel 00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:08.880 to sinners 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.900 in Jerusalem 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.940 and Judea 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.920 and to Samaria 00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:13.019 and to the end 00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:14.519 of the world 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:16.220 to the nations. 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:20.059 They need Holy Spirit power 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:21.059 to do that. 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:24.059 They need Holy Spirit power 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:25.679 to be faithful 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.579 to the mission 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.820 Jesus has entrusted 00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:28.280 to them. 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.200 And we need 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:30.659 the Holy Spirit power 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:32.300 to do the same. 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:36.160 in Acts 2, 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.140 Luke records 00:35:37.140 --> 00:35:37.900 what happens 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.820 at Pentecost 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:41.140 when the Holy Spirit 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:41.820 comes down 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:43.160 upon Christ's disciples 00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:44.780 and empowers them 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.740 to be his witnesses. 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:47.100 It was the fulfillment 00:35:47.100 --> 00:35:48.600 of Joel chapter 2. 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:49.820 And what happens 00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:51.280 throughout the book of Acts 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:52.060 is this, 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:54.019 the person of the Holy Spirit 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:56.780 empowering ordinary Christians 00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:57.960 like you and me, 00:35:58.340 --> 00:36:00.340 empowering ordinary Christians 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:03.180 to boldly proclaim 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:04.700 the Gospel of Christ 00:36:04.700 --> 00:36:06.140 to those living 00:36:06.140 --> 00:36:07.100 right around them. 00:36:09.140 --> 00:36:11.059 And the response varies. 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:14.460 Some receive the glad tidings 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:15.200 of the Gospel 00:36:15.200 --> 00:36:17.000 and they in great joy 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:18.420 respond in repentance 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:19.039 and faith 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:21.600 while others resist 00:36:21.600 --> 00:36:23.120 and even persecute 00:36:23.120 --> 00:36:24.500 the very ones 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.519 who are bringing them 00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:26.120 the Gospel. 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:30.679 The book of Acts 00:36:30.679 --> 00:36:31.519 shows us 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:33.119 that God's people 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:34.759 empowered by the Holy Spirit 00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:37.500 bring the Gospel of Jesus 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.519 to the nations. 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.559 Here's my question for you. 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.779 Do you think 00:36:47.779 --> 00:36:50.359 that the same Holy Spirit 00:36:50.359 --> 00:36:53.559 who empowered the early church 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:55.460 for bold witness 00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:57.380 a church 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.460 that crossed 00:36:58.460 --> 00:37:00.099 cultural boundaries 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:01.139 time and again 00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:02.659 a church 00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:03.519 that suffered 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.619 great hardship 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.420 and resistance 00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:07.240 but faithfully pressed on 00:37:07.240 --> 00:37:09.079 do you think 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.199 the same Holy Spirit 00:37:10.199 --> 00:37:10.760 who empowered 00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:11.699 the early church 00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:12.800 do you think 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:13.460 He's able 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.900 to empower you 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:17.019 to cross your street 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:19.260 and knock on your neighbor's door 00:37:19.260 --> 00:37:21.220 to hear their name? 00:37:22.380 --> 00:37:23.579 He is. 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:26.559 He's more than able 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.159 to do that. 00:37:28.279 --> 00:37:29.099 He is able 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:29.679 to give you 00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.460 the courage 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:31.279 to step out 00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:32.039 in faith 00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:33.299 and to meet 00:37:33.299 --> 00:37:34.099 your neighbors. 00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:38.000 I think the question 00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:39.319 starts to become 00:37:39.319 --> 00:37:40.119 right now 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:41.039 a question like this 00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:41.579 well how 00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:43.119 how do I access 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.719 that? 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.799 How am I empowered 00:37:45.799 --> 00:37:46.840 by the Holy Spirit 00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:47.679 to take a step 00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:48.340 like that? 00:37:49.219 --> 00:37:49.960 Well let me just 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:51.079 help you understand 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.679 first off 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.759 the Holy Spirit 00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:53.619 the moment 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.480 you believed 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.799 He indwelt you 00:37:55.799 --> 00:37:57.019 He lives in you 00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:59.539 He took up 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.399 residence in you 00:38:00.399 --> 00:38:00.839 the moment 00:38:00.839 --> 00:38:01.639 you believed 00:38:01.639 --> 00:38:02.799 and He was 00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:03.759 the Holy Spirit 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.579 who applied 00:38:04.579 --> 00:38:06.039 the shed blood 00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:06.739 of Jesus 00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:08.139 to all of your sin 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.119 so that you were 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:10.139 a new creation 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:11.279 in Christ Jesus 00:38:11.279 --> 00:38:11.980 that's a work 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.719 of the Holy Spirit 00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:13.059 in you 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:17.279 the Holy Spirit 00:38:17.279 --> 00:38:18.940 is seeking to 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.739 spotlight 00:38:19.739 --> 00:38:20.920 Jesus 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:22.480 in your character 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.699 and He's looking 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.500 to spotlight 00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:25.259 Jesus 00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:26.519 through your witness 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:29.519 John 16 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:29.880 14 00:38:29.880 --> 00:38:32.639 and so 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.400 the God 00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:34.420 who indwells you 00:38:34.420 --> 00:38:35.179 can I just try 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:35.940 to convince you 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.679 of something here? 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:37.960 Could it be 00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:38.659 the Holy Spirit 00:38:38.659 --> 00:38:39.420 is actually 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.340 eager 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:42.539 to empower you 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.720 to witness 00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:45.420 that He 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.840 wants to 00:38:46.840 --> 00:38:49.420 He is 00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:50.160 ready 00:38:50.160 --> 00:38:51.460 and willing 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:53.039 and available 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:55.820 we just need 00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:57.120 to step out 00:38:57.120 --> 00:39:02.100 what we see 00:39:02.100 --> 00:39:03.600 from the early church 00:39:03.600 --> 00:39:04.600 is that when 00:39:04.600 --> 00:39:05.280 they encountered 00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:05.900 resistance 00:39:05.900 --> 00:39:06.559 and they needed 00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:07.000 courage 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.340 do you know 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:07.940 what they did? 00:39:07.940 --> 00:39:09.280 they prayed 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:09.880 and you know 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.480 what happened? 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:11.639 God shook 00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.519 the room 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.260 and He 00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:14.099 filled them 00:39:14.099 --> 00:39:15.220 with His Holy Spirit 00:39:15.220 --> 00:39:16.599 and they boldly 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.920 proclaimed God's Word 00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:19.099 Acts 4 31 00:39:19.099 --> 00:39:22.119 so let me call you 00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:22.579 to something 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:25.079 in your personal 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:26.099 time of devotion 00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:26.820 to God 00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:28.619 would you begin 00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:29.500 to ask 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:30.700 God 00:39:30.700 --> 00:39:32.280 to fill you 00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:33.300 with His 00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:34.099 Spirit 00:39:34.099 --> 00:39:34.940 afresh 00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:36.579 He may convict 00:39:36.579 --> 00:39:37.480 you of your sins 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.139 that's just 00:39:38.139 --> 00:39:38.579 going to lead 00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.300 to great joy 00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:39.820 in Jesus 00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:41.699 but He 00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:42.300 also may 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:43.119 burden you 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:43.579 with your 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:43.960 neighbors 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.900 that's 00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:45.500 good 00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:47.780 when you 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.079 gather 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.519 with your 00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.400 life group 00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:52.079 ask God 00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:53.699 to pour 00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:54.119 out His 00:39:54.119 --> 00:39:54.519 Spirit 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:55.559 upon you 00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.039 with the 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:56.760 other members 00:39:56.760 --> 00:39:57.139 of your 00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:57.900 life group 00:39:57.900 --> 00:39:59.360 praying 00:39:59.360 --> 00:39:59.960 and thinking 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:00.400 of other 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:00.880 people 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:01.500 other people 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.139 around you 00:40:02.139 --> 00:40:02.539 who need 00:40:02.539 --> 00:40:03.059 Jesus 00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.159 Jesus 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:07.539 the Holy Spirit 00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:08.380 is the power 00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:09.059 of the mission 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:09.619 that Christ 00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:10.360 has called us 00:40:10.360 --> 00:40:10.539 to 00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:13.659 this Christmas 00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:14.519 season may be 00:40:14.519 --> 00:40:14.860 gone 00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:16.219 your Christmas tree 00:40:16.219 --> 00:40:16.920 might be lying 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:18.119 horizontal in some 00:40:18.119 --> 00:40:18.840 Christmas tree 00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:19.500 graveyard 00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:20.900 your plastic 00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:21.759 Jesus may be 00:40:21.759 --> 00:40:22.619 back in your 00:40:22.619 --> 00:40:23.079 attic 00:40:23.079 --> 00:40:24.579 but the risen 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:26.460 reigning 00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:28.099 incarnate 00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:28.799 Christ 00:40:28.800 --> 00:40:30.039 is advancing 00:40:30.039 --> 00:40:30.720 His 00:40:30.720 --> 00:40:31.260 kingdom 00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:32.080 around 00:40:32.080 --> 00:40:33.060 the globe 00:40:33.060 --> 00:40:34.980 He's 00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.300 spreading 00:40:35.300 --> 00:40:35.760 the joy 00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:36.440 of salvation 00:40:36.440 --> 00:40:36.940 through the 00:40:36.940 --> 00:40:37.440 proclamation 00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:38.120 of the good 00:40:38.120 --> 00:40:38.560 news 00:40:38.560 --> 00:40:40.180 and the 00:40:40.180 --> 00:40:40.560 promised 00:40:40.560 --> 00:40:41.380 Holy Spirit 00:40:41.380 --> 00:40:41.920 who is 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:42.460 active 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:43.019 today 00:40:43.019 --> 00:40:43.420 is 00:40:43.420 --> 00:40:44.100 empowering 00:40:44.100 --> 00:40:44.760 God's 00:40:44.760 --> 00:40:45.200 people 00:40:45.200 --> 00:40:46.000 for the 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:46.580 task 00:40:46.580 --> 00:40:48.480 and He's 00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:48.860 eager to 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.220 empower 00:40:49.220 --> 00:40:49.640 you 00:40:49.640 --> 00:40:51.260 to proclaim 00:40:51.260 --> 00:40:51.940 Christ 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:53.500 to our 00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.140 little slice 00:40:54.140 --> 00:40:54.720 of the world 00:40:54.720 --> 00:40:55.220 here in 00:40:55.220 --> 00:40:55.760 Kenosha 00:40:55.760 --> 00:40:58.060 what would 00:40:58.060 --> 00:40:58.560 happen 00:40:58.560 --> 00:40:59.620 if in 00:40:59.620 --> 00:41:00.500 2018 00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:01.960 these pews 00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:02.620 start filling 00:41:02.620 --> 00:41:03.340 up more and 00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:03.780 more with 00:41:03.780 --> 00:41:05.140 people who 00:41:05.140 --> 00:41:05.540 have been 00:41:05.540 --> 00:41:06.660 rescued from 00:41:06.660 --> 00:41:07.420 their sin 00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:08.580 and they are 00:41:08.580 --> 00:41:09.480 singing to 00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:09.980 the risen 00:41:09.980 --> 00:41:11.400 Christ out 00:41:11.400 --> 00:41:12.060 of hearts 00:41:12.060 --> 00:41:13.180 full of 00:41:13.180 --> 00:41:13.780 joy 00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:18.780 our Christ 00:41:18.780 --> 00:41:19.260 is on a 00:41:19.260 --> 00:41:19.520 mission 00:41:19.520 --> 00:41:22.580 and He's 00:41:22.580 --> 00:41:23.260 called each 00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:23.820 of us 00:41:23.820 --> 00:41:25.320 to be on 00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:25.539 mission 00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.000 with Him 00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:27.360 let's 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:27.580 pray 00:41:27.580 --> 00:41:35.600 God 00:41:35.600 --> 00:41:37.280 thank you 00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:37.539 for 00:41:37.539 --> 00:41:39.240 bringing 00:41:39.240 --> 00:41:39.700 the good 00:41:39.700 --> 00:41:40.100 news 00:41:40.100 --> 00:41:40.640 to our 00:41:40.640 --> 00:41:40.940 ear 00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:42.800 thank you 00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.120 God 00:41:43.120 --> 00:41:43.480 for the 00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:43.800 great 00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:44.220 joy 00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:44.600 many 00:41:44.600 --> 00:41:45.039 of us 00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:45.640 experience 00:41:45.640 --> 00:41:46.400 because we 00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:47.080 know you've 00:41:47.080 --> 00:41:47.700 delivered us 00:41:47.700 --> 00:41:48.220 from great 00:41:48.220 --> 00:41:48.580 sin 00:41:48.580 --> 00:41:50.100 God 00:41:50.100 --> 00:41:50.500 thank you 00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:51.320 for entrusting 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:51.900 us 00:41:51.900 --> 00:41:52.940 with this 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:53.500 grand 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:54.080 task 00:41:54.079 --> 00:41:55.340 to bring 00:41:55.340 --> 00:41:55.840 the gospel 00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:56.239 to the 00:41:56.239 --> 00:41:56.579 nations 00:41:56.579 --> 00:41:57.019 and we 00:41:57.019 --> 00:41:57.420 want to 00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:57.619 think 00:41:57.619 --> 00:41:58.019 globally 00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:58.559 but act 00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:58.900 locally 00:41:58.900 --> 00:41:59.299 so God 00:41:59.299 --> 00:41:59.559 would you 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:00.199 help us 00:42:00.199 --> 00:42:00.840 with that 00:42:00.840 --> 00:42:01.779 would you 00:42:01.779 --> 00:42:02.259 help us 00:42:02.259 --> 00:42:03.159 to start 00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.819 getting to 00:42:03.819 --> 00:42:04.639 know our 00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:05.079 nameless 00:42:05.079 --> 00:42:05.480 neighbors 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:07.599 and God 00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:07.960 we would 00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:08.500 come to you 00:42:08.500 --> 00:42:08.740 now 00:42:08.740 --> 00:42:09.000 and we 00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:09.599 would ask 00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:10.119 that you 00:42:10.119 --> 00:42:10.619 would pour 00:42:10.619 --> 00:42:11.019 out your 00:42:11.019 --> 00:42:11.500 spirit 00:42:11.500 --> 00:42:12.360 afresh upon 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:12.760 us your 00:42:12.760 --> 00:42:13.099 people 00:42:13.099 --> 00:42:14.900 and that you 00:42:14.900 --> 00:42:15.579 would shake 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.500 our building 00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:19.039 and that you 00:42:19.039 --> 00:42:19.659 would empower 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.599 us to proclaim 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.420 the word 00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:23.659 to great 00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:24.159 effect 00:42:24.159 --> 00:42:26.179 for the joy 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:26.519 of all 00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:27.000 people 00:42:27.000 --> 00:42:28.300 and the 00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:28.900 glory of 00:42:28.900 --> 00:42:29.360 your name 00:42:29.360 --> 00:42:30.740 amen 00:42:30.739 --> 00:42:44.579 thank you